Author Topic: Antimustachian Stache - Do you have one?  (Read 4986 times)

Davids

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Antimustachian Stache - Do you have one?
« on: May 28, 2014, 03:36:32 PM »
I have a brokerage account with Scottrade that generates about $1K per year in dividends. Now while I could reinvest it I actually choose not to and use that money as my "antimustachian funds." I have stopped putting more in Scottrade so the stocks I have in there I am letting it ride. Now please keep in mind I do max my 401K and Roth and I also have a brokerage account with Vanguard for their various ETFs which those dividends get reinvested and my only debt is my mortgage which I plan on paying off by 2020. I know it may sound dumb but given all this I think this little fun money I keep for myself is no big deal but I was wondering what the MMM community thought is. 

warfreak2

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Re: Antimustachian Stache - Do you have one?
« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2014, 05:04:16 PM »
I think Mustachianism doesn't necessarily mean always trying to be as rational as possible, but it does include recognising your psychological quirks to twist them for your benefit. Treating part of your income as "disposable" because of where it comes from just seems like a way to rationalise spending that you otherwise wouldn't do. Dollars are dollars - they don't come with "save me" or "waste me" labels.

That doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't spend it how you do - just think about it and perhaps you'll come to the conclusion that that really is the best use of that money for you. (In that case, the psychology can work in your favour - you're using your money effectively, but also if those stocks do poorly then you'll cut that spending as a direct consequence.) Or maybe you'll come to the opposite conclusion, and then you'll start using your money more effectively because you want to.

In answer to your question, no, I don't have a set amount of money which I allow myself to spend suboptimally. (Well, I guess I could say the amount is zero, but being human, I don't achieve it, it's just an aim.)

Thegoblinchief

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Re: Antimustachian Stache - Do you have one?
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2014, 07:13:55 AM »
My DW and I have small side hustles. Instead of adding this $ to the pool, this is our personal spending money. So, I can kind of understand :)

soccerluvof4

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Re: Antimustachian Stache - Do you have one?
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2014, 07:50:12 AM »
I have a TD Ameritrade i actively invest in. I find its fund, finds leads when i do research for my employees I want to do business with and also keeps me in touch with whats going on with the whole trading market since it forces me to do alot more research. But its less than 5% of my total portfolio and when it exceeds that i try to balance out and put money into my index funds.

dragoncar

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Re: Antimustachian Stache - Do you have one?
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2014, 01:02:10 PM »
I know it may sound dumb but given all this I think this little fun money I keep for myself is no big deal

Don't you keep your other money for yourself?  Isn't this the money you're planning to give to other people?

homeymomma

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Re: Antimustachian Stache - Do you have one?
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2014, 02:54:22 PM »
Mustachianism isn't about depriving yourself of everything you find enjoyable. If this is a way you find of spending money on things that are important to you without feeling stressed or guilty, then great!

We have a "spendable savings" account that we put extra (unspent budgeted) money in each month for the few times we go over our monthly budget. Now, that is currently earmarked for paying doctor bills to have our second baby, but it still counts. We will likely continue to do this and use the money for a vacation or something down the road. If we don't have more babies, that is, which we would consider an indulgence :)

Bookworm

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Re: Antimustachian Stache - Do you have one?
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2014, 04:01:26 PM »
My grandma gave each of us grandkids $1,000 in February, for no reason at all.  I stuck it in an account and have been spending it quite foolishly on whatever unmustachian thing I feel like since then, with no guilt.  Of course it could have been put to better use, but this has been fun.

Davids

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Re: Antimustachian Stache - Do you have one?
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2014, 07:32:14 PM »
I know it may sound dumb but given all this I think this little fun money I keep for myself is no big deal

Don't you keep your other money for yourself?  Isn't this the money you're planning to give to other people?
Touche

starguru

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Re: Antimustachian Stache - Do you have one?
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2014, 10:29:03 AM »
Im not claiming to follow mustachian principles.  I just try to be responsible with money. 

I set financial goals are reward myself for reaching milestones.  So I try to increase my liquid net worth by 100k every year, and for every 100k i save i allow myself a 5k splurge.  If I want something thats 10k I need to save 200k to get it. 


chasesfish

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Re: Antimustachian Stache - Do you have one?
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2014, 10:57:53 AM »
It's all your money, the split funds are just psychology to justify it for you.    It's your money and your choice, we all have things we spend money on and find value in that others don't.


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travelbug

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Re: Antimustachian Stache - Do you have one?
« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2014, 12:13:09 AM »
We don't have a set amount or an investment as such. We do have a budget that is normally eaten up by travel expenses. These are not necessary for our lives but we enjoy travel more than stuff, so splurge as long as we meet our financial goals.

For us, the bigger picture is FIRE but we will not sacrifice lifestyle to do this. (we are FI but not RE as yet...)

That said, I can honestly state that I actively avoid shopping malls and spending money on stuff as I have no desire for it at all. It's like someone has turned on a light since we have been FI and because anything I desire can now (technically) be mine, I no longer have the desire to own it. It's quite funny.

So OP, I would enjoy your spending of 1k pa and recognise, peel back and assess what you are buying each year and equate how much joy that is bringing into your life. Then go and truly savour and enjoy it.