I stumbled upon MMM a while ago - I knew about it but I always had thought I do not need it.
We had kicked Debt in 2014 (75k car gulp, 200k school loans, double gulp). Now no car loans, savings for 12 months (cash) and started 401 2 years ago.... so I did not invest time back then in MMM movement... thinking " Hey I am doing okay. This MMM-thing is for people who buy new cars every 3 years and live in debt!"
10 weeks ago I wised up and spent 2-3 days reading endless articles on MMM.... since then I have been reading forums also every night.
I joined forums this morning.
My steps so far in 10 weeks:
- Reading " your money or your life". I am scared of financial education so this was a good starting point.
- Realizing I am not using my employer match best - fixing that
- Selling my unused/seldom rented apt, I own two - one I live in (GREAT! 2000 sq feet, 10 min from work. Cost of living including utilities is currently 1/3 rental rate for equal in my area) the other was a dud from 10 years ago that I have not been able to sell and so was renting (low rental rates in that area, high cost of maint) = not worth it when I crunch numbers over next 10 years.
- Realizing I am not "working to live" - I am LIVING to WORK!! Looking into hot job market for my trade to do a swap for free weekends for 20%-25% less pay since I am out of Debt and can then spend time learning to manage my money and actually enjoying life. This would still keep me in 6 figure salary range.
- Did not buy a new car - actually got rid of my impractical small sports car with 12k miles, 3 y old (got the kbb, 30,000$) for a old car, it has 130 k miles, Japanese great AC and engine, loving it with known history from a relative (3000$).. plan is to use for 8 months till my plan is in action for "more time less work" and then go lightly used electric and finally see the great USA (something I have put off for 10 years while working all these weekends! and selling my vacation back to employer!)
Added bonus: My flashy car always got me unwanted attention and made me feel unsafe when alone. I feel safely " blended in" now.
- BEST PART
I had gained 25 lbs in 5 years since starting this no-time-off job .. I started the MMM "diet" plan and minimal activity built into the day (stairs, walk, sleep well, stress less).
This combined with my renewed optimism and zest = I have lost 8 lbs with ZERO effort, realized it when my shorts fit again, and eating and sleeping well. The optimism shows me there is a end of toil, aches, pain, and dogged showing up day in and day out with no freedom to enjoy life. I was often in tears telling my husband I am emotionally exhausted just 6 months ago. Looking back.. if that was not burnout I do not know what is!
I am shocked at how many nutrients I was probably missing eating on-the-go and living off trashy fake-cream coffees and fried bakery stuff at work! My energy is through the roof on good food and the optimism!
Ty to the thousands of people whose posts helped me the last few months!
