New to the forum, however, have been following MMM for about the last 6 months when I can. While I may not have an interest to go to many of the extremes of many of you MMM truests, I find the overall MMM philosophy regarding lifestyle frankly very relevant to anyone who is looking to simplify their lives, reduce the clutter, minimize waste, and focus on what's truly of important particularly as they plan life after FIRE.
Ok, here is my confession and basic question... I am and always been a frugal, not cheap, "value oriented" consumer. I made my own way in life, supported a family of 6, and have always lived significantly below by means, but most of you would call me capitalist consumer pig at my income and life style. Prior to running into MMM, I always followed the mantra of "The Millionaire Next Store". I enjoy many good things in life, but relative to the "Jones" where I live, they might think at times I am cheap. I am 4 - 5 yrs from FIRE if I don't chicken out and fall prey to the OMY syndrome, have no debt other than some on my house which I choose not to pay off due to an extremely low interest rate (will down size the house and pay cash when I FIRE). I am trying to use these next 4 yrs to acquire as much knowledge from you Post FIRE-ees as I can and really do some "test runs" on some of the things I think on paper I want to make part of my post FIRE life and see if I really do want to do them. Basically, trying to start with what I WANT my post FIRE lifestyle to look like, figure out what it's going to cost me, and then try and lock in a real number. Right now, it's somewhat loosey goosey, but would be considered very high by most MMM followers. I really know my answer to my own question, but has anyone transitioned well from call it a history of "higher society" living pre FIRE to a much simpler down sized life style post FIRE and did it take, or did your old ways push you back to similar pre FIRE spending/living?