Author Topic: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?  (Read 29085 times)

surlygirl

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How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« on: September 11, 2015, 04:33:11 PM »
Hi all, I'm relatively new to the forums here.  I've spent the past little bit catching up on some of the epic threads.  You guys make me feel like the biggest spendthrift ever, when I thought I was relatively frugal.  Examples?

BEFORE: I'm smart because I refuse to lease a car, even though it's the "the" way to do it.  I got a sweet 1.9% financing deal for one car, and paid cash for the next two.  Co-workers all lease new cars every 3 years (Acuras, Caddys, Lexii...)
AFTER:  Holy shit, I have 2 cars!  Relatively new, at that (2005, 2010).

BEFORE:  I do all my own housework/laundry/dry cleaning/yardwork/whatever handywoman work I can do with the help of teh googles and teh youtoobs. Co-workers/friends spend hundreds a month to let someone else do this stuff.
AFTER: I spend how much on cleaning supplies and electricity?!?!?!  Shit, I should make my own cleaning stuff, handwash my dishes (there's only 1.5 people in the house) and air dry my laundry.

BEFORE:  Dayam, I just hit $250K in my retirement accounts.  I may be able to retire at 60 instead of 65!
AFTER: Dayam, I only have $250K saved, I'll never retire by 40, waaaaaaaaaah!!!

BEFORE:  I spend roughly $400 a year on new clothes for DS and I, get ridiculed for having a "Monday" shirt and a "Tuesday" shirt because I really only have 7 or so of them.
AFTER:  I bet I could get that down below $50 if I shop at the thrift store... 

BEFORE:  I cut the cord and no longer pay an outrageous amount for cable TV.  Really, they should be paying ME to sit there and watch all their crappy ads, instead of me paying for the privilege of being bombarded with that shit.  Netflix all the way, baby!
AFTER:  I have a TV (hangs head in shame).

BEFORE:  I think I'm badass because I have a $1K deductible on my car and home insurance, instead of the $250 or $500 that most folks I know have, and know I'll have no problem covering it if anything comes up.
AFTER:  They offer $5K deductibles?!?!?!?!

What are yours?

marty998

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2015, 04:43:55 PM »
Before: I walk 100m to the supermarket instead of taking the car
After: I don't grow my own food like MMM



Thegoblinchief

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2015, 04:46:15 PM »
Our big one was never eating out. (But we spent a fuckton on groceries. $1000+ for a family of 5.)

There are other things but that was probably the biggest eye-opener for me initially.

mspym

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #3 on: September 11, 2015, 05:51:26 PM »
So many things, but the frugality seeds were always lying dormant, I just didn't have a goal to make it all click into place.

Before: Bought 90% of my clothes, including professional attire, from op shops
After: Why am I even looking in opshops!? I have MORE than enough already!

Before: I make most of my food at home, and save eating out for dates
After: Why are we spending so much on restaurants and bars? Let's try making our own beer! [It's great]

Before: I'm putting 12% in super and saving 25%
After: Why aren't I maxing out my super? Where has all that money gone? [see above]

It was weird that I abruptly and without psychological effort, jumped my savings rate to 67% without ever feeling deprived or that I was missing anything.

Jakejake

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #4 on: September 11, 2015, 06:48:02 PM »
Nice thread!

Before: Thought I was hardcore because I make my own laundry soap
After: Guilt over machine drying the clothes instead of line drying everything

Before: Swollen head over being able to retire comfortably at 55
After: Shame over not retiring by early 40's


ChaseJuggler

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2015, 06:51:14 PM »
Before: I never eat at a restaurant without a coupon
After: I still always have a coupon, but eat at home way more often

Restaurant coupons don't get nearly enough love around here though. We usually stretch it to $6/meal even after a generous tip (just order huge entrees with a BOGO coupon). I just buy 10 coupon books for my city each year and then we're good to go!

Eric

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #6 on: September 11, 2015, 06:57:01 PM »
Before: I'm frugal because my wife and I commute with one old car
After: Our one old car sits in the parking space while we both ride our bikes to work everyday!


Also, this one made me laugh:

BEFORE:  Dayam, I just hit $250K in my retirement accounts.  I may be able to retire at 60 instead of 65!
AFTER: Dayam, I only have $250K saved, I'll never retire by 40, waaaaaaaaaah!!!

wordnerd

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #7 on: September 11, 2015, 07:25:34 PM »
Before: I'm frugal because I hate shopping and never do it.
After: I spend HOW MUCH on eating out and socializing? I need to kick my coffee habit!

Before: I've paid off my student loans in under three years! Go me!
After: Why didn't work in college?! I could've invested so much sooner!

Before: I've never asked my parents for money. I'm so much more responsible than my brothers.
After: How the hell can I get my parents to stop wasting so much money?! I don't want to support them in their old age.

Thegoblinchief

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #8 on: September 11, 2015, 07:36:53 PM »
Restaurant coupons don't get nearly enough love around here though. We usually stretch it to $6/meal even after a generous tip (just order huge entrees with a BOGO coupon). I just buy 10 coupon books for my city each year and then we're good to go!

Does that calculation include the cost of the books themselves?

And $6/meal is still 4 times what my average at-home meal costs. ($700/mo divided by 30 days, 3 meals, 5 people = $1.55/meal) And I'm by no means the frugalest cook around these parts.

ender

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #9 on: September 11, 2015, 07:50:01 PM »
This thread is great!

And $6/meal is still 4 times what my average at-home meal costs. ($700/mo divided by 30 days, 3 meals, 5 people = $1.55/meal) And I'm by no means the frugalest cook around these parts.

Is that for "meals you'd eat out" though?

Breakfast cost my wife and I nearly nothing compared with lunch/dinner.

Cressida

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #10 on: September 11, 2015, 07:52:19 PM »
Before: I've never asked my parents for money. I'm so much more responsible than my brothers.
After: How the hell can I get my parents to stop wasting so much money?! I don't want to support them in their old age.

ha. :)

Merrie

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #11 on: September 11, 2015, 08:45:40 PM »
Before: I've been paying extra on my student loans and I paid off my $2500 student loan right after I graduated! And we bought our house at a really cheap interest rate. And I put 8% in my 401k.
After: I so should have worked more in school, lived more frugally, taken out fewer loans, and paid them off before buying the house. And I should have been feeding my IRA all this time. Dagnabbit.

2ndTimer

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #12 on: September 12, 2015, 08:42:18 AM »
Before:  Skipped the expensive pastry when I had coffee out
After:  Coffee out now comes from my thermos instead of Starbucks

Before:  Baked my own bread
After:  And make an extra stack of pizza crusts to freeze for almost instant home made pizza


forummm

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #13 on: September 12, 2015, 10:50:50 AM »
I don't have a lot of great "before" stories because I was always very frugal. Basically finding ERE let me see I could retire early and that I only needed not very much money to live on forever.

Immerito

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #14 on: September 12, 2015, 11:17:49 AM »
Hi all, I'm relatively new to the forums here.  I've spent the past little bit catching up on some of the epic threads.

I'm new here as well. What are the epic threads here?

Sailor Sam

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #15 on: September 12, 2015, 11:48:56 AM »
Before: what a tidy little saver I am, maxing out my IRA and tucking away 15% of my pay into my TSP
After: fuckweasels, why didn't I start maxing my TSP when I made LTJG?!?

Discovering MMM hasn't changed my retirement timeline. My plan has always been to stick the 20, then retire at 45 using my active duty pension to supplement savings. MMM taught me that I'm not a slave to that pension. If I separated today I would still feel major pangs over losing that pension and healthcare, but I wouldn't feel afraid. Biggest takeaway from MMM and this forum is the loss of fear.

I'm new here as well. What are the epic threads here?

Hi Immerito, welcome! Epic threads = religion, politics, gay people, the environment, charity. Just type a phrase into the search thingy. I find it enjoyable to read contentious threads from 2 years removed. I don't have a dog in the fight, which I've found makes me more considerate.

These threads not strictly discussions, but they are fun:
What small thing did you do to save money
Mustachian people problems
Eject all your worldly goods

You can also sort by number of replies by clicking on the REPLIES clickerthinmabob, just under New Topic.

surlygirl

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #16 on: September 12, 2015, 12:24:48 PM »
Hi all, I'm relatively new to the forums here.  I've spent the past little bit catching up on some of the epic threads.

I'm new here as well. What are the epic threads here?

Is this Bad Immerito from the TMMO boards? 

AllieVaulter

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #17 on: September 12, 2015, 12:51:35 PM »
Before:  I thought I was being super frugal by having a $5k wedding and paying for it in cash.
After:  I wish I'd had the guts to have a super untraditional wedding that would only have cost a couple hundred, instead of a couple thousand!

Before:  I thought I was in good shape by contributing anything at all to my retirement account when I was in my 20's.
After:  Gaah!  You mean, it's actually possible for a normal person to max retirement contributions out??

Before:  We're doing good, we're a single car household.
After:  But we actually DRIVE our car.  On a regular basis!

Before:  I was happy with myself for being able to live frugally, so I could afford to work in a low stress job that pays not a lot of money.
After:  But if I try and shove all the money that I do make into savings, then I could STOP working!!

1967mama

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #18 on: September 12, 2015, 01:11:18 PM »
BEFORE: Hopefully my husband can retire by 60.
AFTER: <sobbing> OMG, he could have retired in his 40's

We were SO stupid with money pre-MMM ... trips, cars, eating out, jewellery, fancy clothes ... oh the shame. And I thought we were frugal because I baked my own bread ::face punch::

Immerito

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #19 on: September 12, 2015, 01:23:34 PM »

I'm new here as well. What are the epic threads here?

Hi Immerito, welcome! Epic threads = religion, politics, gay people, the environment, charity. Just type a phrase into the search thingy. I find it enjoyable to read contentious threads from 2 years removed. I don't have a dog in the fight, which I've found makes me more considerate.

These threads not strictly discussions, but they are fun:
What small thing did you do to save money
Mustachian people problems
Eject all your worldly goods

You can also sort by number of replies by clicking on the REPLIES clickerthinmabob, just under New Topic.

Thank you!

takeahike

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #20 on: September 12, 2015, 01:39:09 PM »
Before: Thought being frugal meant that I didn't have credit card debt and didn't spend more than I made. Had no understanding just how much one has to save for retirement- 50%, 75%.. just unheard of.

After: Saving most of what I make. Husband saves half his salary. I'm 45 and he's in his 50's so we are way behind a lot of the early starters here.. but we'll be okay. There is a plan.


Katsplaying

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #21 on: September 12, 2015, 01:46:47 PM »
Before: I only have $5k on my card with $7k limit! I have great credit!
After: OMFSM face-punching commences!

Before: I bought a reasonable efficient Subaru Legacy! Only 1.9%!
After: OMFSM I have a car loan! Face-punching commences!

Before: 6% into the 401k to get company match
After: 15% and climbing every quarter by 2%

It's growing the positives that make me smile most. The negatives (debt) just feel overwhelming sometimes.

mozar

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #22 on: September 12, 2015, 04:40:05 PM »
Before: Thought I was so smart to turn down the 401k match in order to max the amount I could pay down for student loans.
After: I could've done both!

ChaseJuggler

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #23 on: September 13, 2015, 02:40:18 AM »
Restaurant coupons don't get nearly enough love around here though. We usually stretch it to $6/meal even after a generous tip (just order huge entrees with a BOGO coupon). I just buy 10 coupon books for my city each year and then we're good to go!

Does that calculation include the cost of the books themselves?

And $6/meal is still 4 times what my average at-home meal costs. ($700/mo divided by 30 days, 3 meals, 5 people = $1.55/meal) And I'm by no means the frugalest cook around these parts.
I'm certainly not trying to argue that eating out is cheaper than cooking at home. Only that, with coupons, it will have much less impact on your bottom line.

We usually hit restaurants 3 times per week because it's something we enjoy. But it hardly affects our savings rate because we never order the expensive stuff and always bring a coupon.

Having a car is bad. But if you're going to do it, then get a cheap used one! Dining out is bad, but if you're going to do it, don't order alcohol and always use a coupon!

The cost of the coupons themselves comes out to about 20 cents per meal because we use the books so much and get them on sale at bulk price.

Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk
« Last Edit: September 13, 2015, 02:43:24 AM by ChaseJuggler »

KarefulKactus15

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #24 on: September 13, 2015, 04:51:32 AM »
All the replys are great, but the most amusing part was that somehow, someone found an avatar of a person wearing a shirt that says I heart mustache.   Pretty funny....

step_away

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #25 on: September 13, 2015, 05:34:19 AM »
I don't have a lot of great "before" stories because I was always very frugal. Basically finding ERE let me see I could retire early and that I only needed not very much money to live on forever.

Same.  Pre-MMM, I already save more than 90% (net of tax), no car, no cable/Netflix, no debt and max out 401K/IRA/HSA. 

What changed for me is finding kindred spirits.
Before: I'm weird for wanting to retire early.
After: I'm not alone in the pursuit of FIRE.  Thanks, MMM.

hybrid

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #26 on: September 13, 2015, 06:02:09 AM »
Before: Family net worth grew at about 3K per month.
After: Family net worth grows at about 5K per month. Credit MMM for 40%, new job for 40%, investment snowball for 20%.

What, you were expecting something that wasn't a hybrid answer???

Before: DW retires at 66 like "normal" people.
After: DW retires next year at 62.5 instead. Ohhhhh, if we had stumbled on much of this years ago....

Before: I love my country club, I'm working until 70.
After: I still love to golf, but I am retiring at 60.

Gerard

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #27 on: September 13, 2015, 09:46:55 AM »
I'm kind of the opposite, because I spent a lot of years with very little money and thus was always more cheap than frugal, and the Captain Vimes Boot thing would bite me in the ass. Plus, I know more now, and the world has improved.

Before: buy cheapest bike possible at Canadian Tire. Replace every 2-3 years.
Now: buy good bike at bike store (I know, buying used would be better). Ride for many years; use more often instead of transit.

Before: Keep heat so low that I'm almost-uncomfortable.
Now: Block heat leaks, use electronic thermostat to turn furnace way down at night and when I'm gone.

Before: Buy super-discount soap and shampoo.
Now: Four years of no-'poo, no-soap!

Before: Cheap hotel from Priceline or Hotwire.
Now: Hostels, airbnb.

Before: Ground beef.
Now: Chicken legs, legumes.

Before: Ikea furniture.
Now: Used, curb shopping, minimalism.

And on it goes...


Moustachienne

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #28 on: September 13, 2015, 11:59:03 AM »
Before: Wondered if our paid off house, 1MM in investments and cash, 50% savings rate, and fairly frugal lifestyle (eat at home, old/second-hand cars, etc) was enough to retire in a couple of years at 60.  Felt guilty about considering "early" retirement.  Would that be slacking? Hahaha!

After: Felt ridiculous for worrying about whether we can retire and even more so about feeling guilty.  Started looking harder at some consumption patterns, i.e. cell phone plans, creeping book buying instead of library habit, cable.  Not because we can't afford them, but because it feels so much better to spend where you really care, e.g. charity donations.
« Last Edit: September 13, 2015, 12:08:44 PM by Moustachienne »

Bracken_Joy

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #29 on: September 13, 2015, 02:41:25 PM »
Before: I have some savings! That's awesome! I don't spend more than we make.
After: But I'm not ADDING anything to savings! And we are going to have new expenses to take on! New plan.

pachnik

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #30 on: September 13, 2015, 03:05:29 PM »
Before:  saving 10-15%, no credit card debt
After:  saving 35-40%, still no credit card debt

Before:  frittering $$$ away with daily coffees out, newspapers, bought lunch at work 1-2X per week
After:  coffee shop on Saturdays only, newspaper usually 1X per week, lunch out at work maybe once every 2 weeks

Before:  since I frittered my money away, didn't think I could afford to travel
After:  I can afford to travel

Before:  I really noticed any big unusual expenses and got very stressed out by them
After:  Since I now track my expenses and pay attention, I realize that just about every month has some unusual expense

Before:  Retire at 66 - maybe?  I don't know.
After:  Retire at 60 or maybe even 58.
« Last Edit: September 13, 2015, 06:34:50 PM by pachnik »

surlygirl

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #31 on: September 13, 2015, 04:09:59 PM »
All the replys are great, but the most amusing part was that somehow, someone found an avatar of a person wearing a shirt that says I heart mustache.   Pretty funny....

Me too, I couldn't pass it up when I found it.  Here's the full image, so you can see she's also got a finger 'stache going.  http://previews.123rf.com/images/kakigori/kakigori1410/kakigori141000050/32985030-Funny-blonde-hipster-girl-making-faces-pretending-to-have-fake-mustache-in-finger-wearing-white-shir-Stock-Vector.jpg

ETA:  I've located a brunette version of the pic, and since I'm one (or was, once upon a time), I've now updated it to be more historically accurate.

« Last Edit: September 13, 2015, 08:01:44 PM by surlygirl »

Lady Fordragon

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #32 on: September 13, 2015, 06:21:20 PM »
Great thread!  For the most part my husband and I led a pretty frugal life before MMM; however, we did find a few things that we could change.

Before:  Two car household with no debt other than a mortgage.  Doing great in terms of our debt!
After:  Two cars?!  One car is more than enough.  Also, we now bike to work as much as we can since we live right near a great bike path that goes right near our jobs!  No mortgage!

Before:  We'll definitely be able to retire at 55.
After:  55?  Why would we work for so long when we can retire at 35!

Before:  A/C is set fairly high at 78 degrees in the summer.  Saving money!
After:  Why are we paying for A/C!?  We can train our bodies to deal without it! (Have gone two years without A/C!)
« Last Edit: September 25, 2015, 11:07:27 AM by Lady Fordragon »

Dicey

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #33 on: September 13, 2015, 07:44:16 PM »
I don't have a lot of great "before" stories because I was always very frugal. Basically finding ERE let me see I could retire early and that I only needed not very much money to live on forever.
^^This^^

lostamonkey

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #34 on: September 13, 2015, 10:10:37 PM »
Before: I am saving and investing because I don't want to waste money on shit

After: I am saving and investing because I want to retire.

1967mama

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #35 on: September 13, 2015, 10:58:35 PM »
BEFORE: Lights, heat, a/c? Whatever makes you comfortable!
AFTER: Check the energy monitor -- why is it so high? What's turned on or running right now??

Squirrel away

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #36 on: September 14, 2015, 04:41:13 AM »
BEFORE - We are doing great as we manage to spend all our pay without dipping into credit cards towards the end of the month!
AFTER - We are doing better as we put away the savings and pensions on payday and live on the rest.

BEFORE -  What's an emergency fund?
AFTER - We could live for a year without working if we needed to as we now have an emergency fund.:)

ash7962

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #37 on: September 14, 2015, 07:29:53 AM »
Before: Pay for cable tv
After: Why am I paying for something that I don't watch?

Before: Sign up for secondary insurance (Aflac, pet insurance) because well dressed people say its good and that's what adults do, right?
After: Do some maths, realize this actually doesn't provide me any value at all, drop it.

Before: Eat out all the time, buy coffee.
After: Learn how to cook, eat at home, bring lunch, make coffee.

Before: Hmm, shiny new thing on amazon? Don't mind if I do..
After: What is all this useless and/or unused crap around my house? No more impulse amazon, declutter, declutter, declutter.

Edit: Whoops somehow forgot that the before part is supposed to be how you thought you were frugal.  Guess I shouldn't have answered 'cause I was clearly not frugal and didn't really think I was...  ah well leaving it anyway.
« Last Edit: September 14, 2015, 10:26:00 AM by ash7962 »

celticmyst08

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #38 on: September 14, 2015, 09:55:02 AM »
Before: Wow, I'm contributing 10% to my 401k at 21.
After: Wtf was I thinking, I could have been contributing at least 20-30%! (I was making ~22k/year at that point pre-tax.)

Before: We don't eat out every night, we're so much more frugal than our friends!
After: We eat out 3x/week? FACEPUNCH

Before: We only have one car and it's paid off!
After: Why are we driving when we could bike? (Still working on this one...I need to get a bike.)

Before: I only shop for clothing at thrift stores, or when there are big sales!
After: Why am I buying all this clothing I don't ever wear?

tallen

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #39 on: September 14, 2015, 10:04:59 AM »
I thought I was frugal before because I'd frequently browse the Slickdeals website and only buy things other than groceries if there was some kind of sale or discount I could get. I've bought a lot of crap I didn't need and didn't even know I wanted just because I was getting such a "good deal" on it- Lol. I've still got crap I've never even used because "I saved sooo much money on it" *facepalm*

Oddly enough, someone on the Slickdeals site posted about being "mustachian" and I'd never heard of that so I googled it. Led me here to MMM  who in turn led me to MarksDailyApple, and both those (these?) sites have changed my life and made it so much better! So if whoever posted that reads this- Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

AlwaysLearningToSave

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #40 on: September 14, 2015, 10:22:55 AM »
Oddly enough, someone on the Slickdeals site posted about being "mustachian" and I'd never heard of that so I googled it. Led me here to MMM  who in turn led me to MarksDailyApple, and both those (these?) sites have changed my life and made it so much better! So if whoever posted that reads this- Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I found MMM in a similar way.  I think it was the comments section to a CNN Money or MSN article peddling poor financial advice.  A few people were making comments in a hopeless attempt to inform readers that it was actually bad advice.  One person commenting recommended MMM to another person.  Out of curiosity I googled it and couldn't be happier that I did.  It was very unusual for me to read the inane comments section, let alone google something a random person mentioned in the comments section.  But I did, and am very thankful.  I cannot imagine where we would be had we not found it.

We've made lots of changes since switching.  A few of the biggest:

Before:  It only costs $15 per month for recycling service, so we are helping the planet!
After:  We are wasting $15 per month just for someone to pick up our recycling when there is a free community drop-off not far away!!!

Before:  I claim 0 exemptions from tax withholding to create built-in savings and always get a decent tax return.
After:  Why am I giving the government an interest-free loan when I could be using that money to pay down student debt?!?!?!

Before:  We get a good deal on our TV and internet bundle.
After:  Why are we wasting so much money on TV???

Note:  This post was edited because I accidentally hit post before completing the post.
« Last Edit: September 14, 2015, 10:47:10 AM by AlwaysLearningToSave »

Trudie

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #41 on: September 14, 2015, 10:41:48 AM »
Before:  Saved 20% of income.

After:  Save 45% of income (approaching 50) and maxing out all available retirement accounts.  Looking at mega back door Roth opportunities.

Before:  Ate out a lot.
After:  Still eat out, but not nearly as often and only when it's with friends (not because I'm tired).

Before:  Pretty frugal, but spent lots of money on go-go entertainment (movies, dinners out, theater)
After:  Check out movies at the library.  Stopped buying books (library only, even if I pay a small fee for interlibrary loan).

JPinDC

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #42 on: September 14, 2015, 11:41:31 AM »
Before: spend less than you earn and save the rest
After: spend even less, earn more and INVEST the rest

I spent roughly 4 years saving in my bank savings account because I was afraid of the stock market.

redbird

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #43 on: September 14, 2015, 12:37:39 PM »
BEFORE:  I cut the cord and no longer pay an outrageous amount for cable TV.  Really, they should be paying ME to sit there and watch all their crappy ads, instead of me paying for the privilege of being bombarded with that shit.  Netflix all the way, baby!
AFTER:  I have a TV (hangs head in shame).

Honestly, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I have a TV too, though I've NEVER had cable. I am a gamer though, one of those hobbies many people on this forum rag on as being wasteful. I find that silly, personally. I spend less on gaming per year than some people on these forums do on eating out (I don't), alcohol (I don't drink at all), or insert other hobby that's more expensive than mine. I know how to be very frugal about it though.

Some people think MMM is encouraging his readers to give up all luxuries. He's not. In fact, even MMM himself thinks some of the forum members are far more hardcore frugal than he is. He doesn't make his own laundry detergent, for example. I personally think you should strike a balance. You don't need to pinch every single penny to become FIRE.

I just recently FIRE'd. I still spend money on luxuries, but my spending is still low enough that I'm way more than fine.

mm1970

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #44 on: September 14, 2015, 12:45:52 PM »
I don't have a lot of great "before" stories because I was always very frugal. Basically finding ERE let me see I could retire early and that I only needed not very much money to live on forever.
Same here.  Oh, I was always fairly frugal.  But when I was single and living in DC I spent quite a lot eating out.

sometime around 2001, I found The Simple Living Network and The Complete Tightwad Gazette.

After MM, I guess I just have a whole new network of people to bounce ideas off of and get inspiration from.  And of course, the world is more high tech now than when Amy D was writing, with cell phones and such, so there are new topics.

yuka

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #45 on: September 14, 2015, 12:48:44 PM »
Before: what a tidy little saver I am, maxing out my IRA and tucking away 15% of my pay into my TSP
After: fuckweasels, why didn't I start maxing my TSP when I made LTJG?!?

Discovering MMM hasn't changed my retirement timeline. My plan has always been to stick the 20, then retire at 45 using my active duty pension to supplement savings. MMM taught me that I'm not a slave to that pension. If I separated today I would still feel major pangs over losing that pension and healthcare, but I wouldn't feel afraid. Biggest takeaway from MMM and this forum is the loss of fear.

I'm new here as well. What are the epic threads here?

Hi Immerito, welcome! Epic threads = religion, politics, gay people, the environment, charity. Just type a phrase into the search thingy. I find it enjoyable to read contentious threads from 2 years removed. I don't have a dog in the fight, which I've found makes me more considerate.

These threads not strictly discussions, but they are fun:
What small thing did you do to save money
Mustachian people problems
Eject all your worldly goods

You can also sort by number of replies by clicking on the REPLIES clickerthinmabob, just under New Topic.


I'm looking at this exact thing right now in the form of a huge warning sign. I just commissioned, but go to school with a bunch of officers ranging senior O-3 through O-5. The gap between people who have their financial shit together, and those who thought Department Head bonus was the boat/Tesla bonus is incredible. Sadly I don't know if I'll be sticking around to retirement, but investing my whole base pay+BAS is nice, at least.

Cookie78

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #46 on: September 14, 2015, 12:54:31 PM »
Before: I lived well within my means and saved lots of money in my bank account. Didn't know what else to do with it. So I spent it all on traveling, but cheap traveling so I could travel more. I was putting away $200/month towards retirement.

After: I'm still living well within my means, but spending consciously. I'm saving much, much more, and investing it instead of putting it in the bank. Spending far less on travel now, but only so I can travel more after FIRE.

I don't regret the traveling in my youth, but if I knew then what I know now I would have started investing more a lot sooner and traveled a little less. Even if I'd split it 50/50 I'd be well over any realistic FIRE goals now. Better late than never.

Guesl982374

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #47 on: September 14, 2015, 12:55:40 PM »
BEFORE: I am saving 25%, this is easy and I'm doing great. Not sure what I'll use those savings for though (bigger house? car? vacation? maybe in the future)...
AFTER: I am only saving 50% and reaching FI at 38-40 years old is too "late".

First world problem at it's finest...

NeverLost

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #48 on: September 14, 2015, 01:19:47 PM »
Before:  I downsized my SUV to a used car for better gas mileage and to minimize my life.
After: It was only 2 years old, I took out a loan to do it, it takes premium gas and has a turbo engine...  WTF was I thinking?

Before: I made my families meals using no processed food which is so much healthier and cheaper than going out.
After: I am spending $1000/month on groceries?!?!?!

I have been trying to not drive my car unnecessarily (I am upside down on it otherwise I'd sell) as well as I'm down to $500/month for groceries :)

1967mama

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Re: How did you think you were frugal before MMM?
« Reply #49 on: September 14, 2015, 01:40:47 PM »
BEFORE: Bought a brand new car with cash in 2010.

AfTER: Why did we waste all that money on a NEW car? Could have bought a great used Honda or something that would run forever. Now we are locked into this car for another 5 years (we had read that its ok to buy a new car as long as you plan on keeping it at least 10 years :-O This is not MMM advice!) even though its hard on gas with a big V6 engine.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!