Hello
First time poster, part time reader. I have some questions that I think only this community would have the ability to answer. I believe my current views on finances do not match with my current situation and I am looking for some guidance/help.
At the beginning of last year I started discovering personal finance blogs and reading about the typical stuff, contribute 401k match, Roth IRA, emergency fund, etc. until I stumbled upon this site and others regarding early retirement. Since then I feel I have become obsessed with socking away as much money as I can in retirement accounts and just in general trying to achieve 50%+ savings rate.
The dilemma I am facing is that I currently live with two roommates, one whom I've lived with for five years now, Don, the other two years, Jon. The household is a typical roommate situation, we all have individual accounts and we don't really share our expenses or information on a regular basis. However I do know that Don makes around $30,000 annually and Jon makes $40,000 annually.
I guess the issue I am having is that I think my roommates are partial spendthrifts, but not in the typical manner, I don't believe; I don't know maybe you guys could clarify? For example Don loves diesel vehicles so much so that he has purchased three 1980's Mercedes-Benz diesel cars in the past year and a half. Jon himself has three vehicles, his Malibu, his uncles F150, and an Isuzu Rodeo for a winter vehicle. That part I understand is not very mustachian. The other part though is we have a lot of tools since both of them like to tinker and buy things at the junkyard to fix and repair, albeit to just keep and sit at the house, not to sell to other people. I can see part of that as mustachian, but I'm not sure.
Now going back to what I mentioned previously, I've been trying to save a good chunk of my money because I would like to retire early and buy my freedom, however, I am finding it difficult to maintain that goal while watching my friends enjoy what they are doing. At the same time though I keep reminding myself that with the viewpoints I have heard from them regarding money I unfortunately see them working for most of their lives to support their hobbies. I guess this is the part where I need to ask for some help from like minded people. Also I am trying to keep this post short as there are quite a bit of details I have left out; if more details are needed I can definitely provide them. There's just too much to put into words right now.
So mustachians, how can I handle this situation?
Thank you for taking the time to read this post.