Hello
I'm an European wannabe-mustachian who's about to start this journey. I've been reading for a few months, but there's the phase where ideas shift from ideas into action. And I would like input from great mustachians.
About me:
I've worked in a job paying ok (75$ annualy) for about 3 years. I had a small student debt, but have paid this off.
I own an apartment worth 412 $ (It's a reasonable, even good, price in a small city in my country)
145 off these are "joint" with the entire apartment complex (this is normal here, I don't know how it would be in other countries) and I can't pay anything except interest.
of the remaining 267 my debt is 75 $ (at 3,8% interest)
I also have 50$ in savings/emergency fund (most of it at 4,6% interest, some at 3,6% interest)
In addition to this I own a car to get me to work, which is 20min commute away. (the apt is new, so moving right now is not an option - but over time I plan to relocate to a smallish house)
Of my salary 1/3 goes to government tax.
Of the remaining 4.200 per month:
1.080 goes to housing
420 goes to food (including eating out - food costs are much higher than us, bur this includes plenty of fresh vegies, lean meat and more expensive food to suit my food-allergies. I do shop sales.)
170 goes to fuel (430 km per month, price of petrol is 2,3$ per litre)
1.650 goes to saving
60 to electricity (heating not included)
500 is put aside for travels (usually 1/3 ends up unused and thus saved)
My main interest is obviously traveling, and even though I do try to find inexpensive lodgings I'm a bit "nervous" about where I stay, being a lone female traveller.
What would you do to make things go faster? I'd like to not work until retirement (at 67 right now, but they keep movin' it upward) and also have the option of working only part time when I have a family (children) while not in any form relying on the salary of a spouse.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.