I was wondering how many would be interested in a MMM Canada thread on Reddit or some other collaborative space. We are a bit of a minority on here and I find that threads quickly get buried. Perhaps Mr. Money Toque would even make an appearance :)
Not sure about the other Canucks on here but I end up running between sites like Redflagdeals.com, Canadianmoneyforum, Financialwebring, Greaterfool, Globeandmail, Reddit Personal Finance Canada etc. etc. and only getting a bit of what I am looking for. What I love about MMM is that attitude that, ‘Gee, you really can have enough’. You actually can find balance between working and actually enjoying life and spending time with your family. You don’t need multiple millions to do it, and you don’t have to fully ‘retire’ or have a million dollar home, two SUVs and a giant RESP to do it.
Anyways, I think we have enough differences that it would be justified. First of all, attitude is very different in Canada in regards to being ‘self-sufficient’, the government looking after you, and avoiding debt (Have you seen those HELOC numbers?!). We also have very expensive housing right now relative to income, rents, etc., and different tax issues. And free health care ... kind of ... sort of.
Things like RRSPs, TFSAs, RESPs, or even setting up an index portfolio in Canada are all different too. Yes there have been posts about this, but I am talking about a space where Canadian Mustachians can bounce ideas off each other without that blank cross-internet stare I get on those other sites ... ‘What?! So you think you can stop working while still active, live in only a modest home, and bike places? But that wouldn’t even get half a star in the GlobeandMails’s retirement ready... You need a million dollar home in the GTA, two defined benefit pensions and 2 million invested two get that.
Sorry, I don’t know if it is the younger generation over here, or if other Canadians even feel the way I do. Our family loves the idea of reducing the negative impact we have on the planet in regards to mindless consumption, and we would much rather have a $150,000 home with $850,000 working for us in a low-cost index fund than a 1 million dollar semi in Vancouver and the costs of living that go along with it. I think that makes us Mustachian. I think that makes us a rarity in Canada and I want to gather the rest of you Mustachian Canucks so we can fight this semi-frozen tide ... or at least build a new rink.
Any takers?