Seems like a reasonable summary of positive psychology to me: experiences and people, not things.

A van and a house purchased under the expectation that you aren't going to die at 35 doesn't seem like negative excess.

I don't know what branch of psychology castigating people that have more than you falls under, though.

When one runs into financial problems one cuts back first rather than keeping their lifestyle up.

My point was he's putting material objects before time with his family.