I'm 27 and single, which is awesome (work, my mentoring/volunteer stuff, and growing my 'Stache keeps me pretty busy most of the time) but occasionally I get adventurous and go out on a date with someone.
Being Mustachian on a date isn't too hard, as I usually suggest coffee ($7 if I'm buying, $2 if we're going Dutch) cheap but tasty places to eat ($20 if I'm buying, $5-10 if going Dutch) or free activities like walking around the downtown area, listening to free jazz in the park, or strolling through the farmer's market.
Here's where the problem comes up though. I generally find that most people my age (Mid to upper twenties) generally do not share the same goals as I do. Many of the more financially successful of my age group are still spending money like there's no tomorrow (cruises, liposuction, mortgages, new cars, Coach purses) while on the flip side, others seem to have no plan regarding their financial future and still spend like there's no tomorrow (booze and club covers, eating out all the time, new clothes, new shoes, expensive loft apartments, flashy cars).
It gets a bit overwhelming sometimes when I have to explain my alleged "batshit crazy" habits. No, I haven't turned on my AC yet. Yes, I know it's 90 degrees outside, but a fan and a cold jug of agua fresca works just fine. Yes, I bike to work sometimes. No, I'm not sweaty and stinky when I arrive (witch hazel and a towel = amazing stuff). No, despite being a doctor, I am not getting a new car. Yes, my old car is 13 years old, but it works just fine. Yes, I dry my clothes on a clothes rack. Yes, I make most of my own food. Yes, I plan on retiring by the age of 45. No, I don't have any interest in travelling, not when I can be putting that money towards my student loans and early retirement. Why are you shaking your head in disbelief?
Ranting aside, my question is: Is anyone else finding it extremely hard to date and meet people that are at least somewhere within the ballpark of the Mustachian world? For those of you that are in a relationship (and I know this has been covered here and there) how do you deal with others that are less Mustachian than you are, or not Mustachian at all? Is there a good way to kind of slowly introduce people to your Mustachian lifestyle? Am I destined to become an old person with eight cats?