I only read that thread from last year because he mentioned it in his post. I thought that his adding in a bit more about business expenses was a way of dealing with some of the comments. In particular when he mentioned that both he and Mrs. MMM end up spending money on business stuff or travelling for business and that that probably satisfies any desire for spending/travelling, whereas if they weren't doing so for business, they might end up spending/travelling a bit more for personal fun. As always, I feel like he is as genuine and up-front as he seems to be.
Liked the shout-out for Quiet as well. That book made a big difference to me when I read it.
Pretty much this.
I think that a lot of people who complain about how he gets a luxurious lifestyle because of his blog, and note that it's a benefit compared to "hanging out at the park" - well, actually LIKE that sort of thing. But, what if you don't?
I mean, you can go on business travel, and enjoy it, but still recognize that you wouldn't spend the money otherwise. Maybe I'm reading a lot of wanking into it, but it seems like several people on this thread feel this way. Like "SURE you'd be happy camping".
But what if you were? I really like the IDEA of travel. I grew up never vacationing as a kid. But you want to know something? I don't really like travel. The whole fancy-pants vacations to ... Ecuador that MMM goes on, or others go on to Maui, or Europe, or Bali, or whatever by travel hacking. It doesn't sound like fun to me.
So when he says that his costs would go up a little without these trips...I believe him. And when he says his wife's craft costs would go up a bit without the business...I believe him. Because I'm pretty much the same way.
I love crafting, and years ago spent a crap ton of money on it. Now? A lot less. Certainly wouldn't affect my budget more than a few hundred bucks a year.
And travel. I've been some places. I prefer simple trips like short road trips, and mid-level hotels with a kitchenette (or an Air-BNB), or camping.
- I don't have enough vacation time to go a lot of places.
- Traveling with kids kind of sucks.
- My husband used to travel a lot with kids. And, his old boss used to invite me (pre-kid). I didn't go! Florida, DC, whatever. I could have grabbed a plane ticket and had a cheap vacation! I didn't do it! (I did take my then-5-year old for a long weekend to DC once, when hubby was there for 1.5 weeks. Because we had friends there. And we flew on miles.)
- I NEVER travel for work. But the thing is - I could probably head off to Japan a couple of times a year for work. But whenever someone mentions in passing "it might be good for you go head to Japan some day for XYZ" I run and hide. Seriously.
And I just thought the whole rent thing was ridiculous too.
And I agree with whomever else mentioned free food at work. I don't work for google. But we have free coffee and tea at work. The occasional free lunch. Spouse gets a free lunch once a month. Does it affect our spending? No. It doesn't mean I "get my fill of takeout" at work.