1. The Learner – Stumbles across MMM, thinks we are mostly insane. But sticks around long enough to read a few posts. Folks from hair on fire debt, to badass mustachian just without the name. Everyone starts here.
2. The Newbie – Starts to make some adjustments. Starts tracking expenses and income. Starts asking what makes them happy and what are they just spending money on. Usually creates a MMM profile but rarely posts.
3. The Zealot – Wants to optimize everything down to zero. Sell your car, sell your bike, eat nothing but beans. Pee in the backyard to save a on water. Often these folks end up on ERE. Sets up a 10 year retirement countdown.
4. The Transformed – Liabilities become assets, jobs become careers. New habits become life skills. Early retirement moves from just a dream to a very real goal.
5. The Autopilot – Has everything set to go, and grow on its own. Drives a well-maintained car with no plans to upgrade in the next decade or so. Has a house they are just fine to live in.
6. The Secret Rich – Left it on autopilot for a few years and discovered they are, actually rich. Likely could lean fire, but their life is currently pretty easy. Too young to retire to a beach so focuses on the work they like and ignores what they don’t.
7. The Pursuit of Happiness – Folks that are quite rich either in dollars or fulfilment. They pursue what makes them happy, and the well being of others around them. Many still work jobs they find satisfying. Often these will spend money on bigger/better items because it does in fact increase their happiness and of course they can easily afford them.
Taking this literally,
Stage 1 - Never really thought MMM was insane, rather the opposite as it resonated with how I already was. Was introduced to MMM by a co-worker who thought I would like it since I'm known as the personal finance guy at work. Depth of knowledge has definitely increased!
Stage 2 - I haven't made adjustments that I hadn't planned on doing already. I guess I can credit having an IDP to MMM. I've never tracked expenses or made a budget beyond checking my credit cards once in awhile to make sure I wasn't hacked or to keep bank account at a certain level.
Stage 3 - I do pee in the backyard but that has more to do with being lazy after drinking beers throwing darts in the detached garage rather than saving on water. Did downgrade to a 1 car household but that was the plan prior to ever hearing of MMM. I guess I am a little bit of a zealot when it comes to index funds but that's a personal thing and I don't try to convince others how to invest. Never really compromised on the food I eat other than trying new things or going vegan here and there to show solidarity for my wife but that's independent of MMM.
Stage 4 - Yeah, that's accurate with the exception of early retirement. Early retirement isn't really the goal but am saving like it is (or trying to) just in case that's what I/we want to do.
Stage 5 - Yes and No for this stage. I do have no plans to upgrade our current vehicle or move from the house any time soon but also don't even max out all tax-advantaged accounts yet. I've only been maxing TSP for 4 years, HSA for 3, and Roth IRA for 1. I do not have a taxable account and wife does not currently max out 403b or 457. Hard to feel like I'm on auto-pilot until all the tax-advantaged space is utilized. Have plenty of fat to trim if maxing tax-advantaged space was top priority but it just isn't. Will get there eventually.
Stage 6 - Life is currently super easy and just enjoying the ride but as mentioned, def not on auto-pilot nor near lean fire. Will probably never live far from where I currently do, 2.5 hrs to in-laws lakehouse and 2 hrs in roughly the opposite direction to my family's rural property and most friends/family within 20 min of current house.
Stage 7 - Pretty fulfilled overall, purchase mostly whatever I want. Don't have the money yet to do the silly things I want to do (solar panel/tile EVERYTHING, own some land to screw around with growing more things, and a great pool) but wouldn't trade my life with anyone. Both our careers are in public service and are pretty satisfying, plenty of time off to travel or pursue leisure activities.
Firmly identify the most with stage 4. Not impatient at all, time is moving way too fast as it is.