Author Topic: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!  (Read 11853 times)

DebtDerp

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From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« on: March 07, 2013, 11:34:05 AM »
Just wanted to share that I have been living the way of the mustachian for a couple of months now. In his recent post (Getting Rich: from Zero to Hero in One Blog Post), MMM said:

Quote
Here’s how to cut your life costs in half. Start by getting rid of your Debt Emergency if you have one. Live close to work. Move to another city if you enjoy adventure. Don’t borrow money for cars, and don’t buy stupid ones. Ride a bike wherever you can. Cancel your TV service. Stop wasting money on groceries. Give your kids the opportunity to achieve greatness without being pampered. Lose the overpriced cell phones. Learn to appreciate the life-boosting joy of using your own body to get things done. Learn to mock convenience. Practice optimism.

Well, this has been working out quite well for me. My variable expenses (excluding my extra debt payments) have dropped dramatically from what I was spending last year. Here is what they look like:



Mostly I have stopped wasting my money on eating out for lunch three or four times a week and have been spending much less at the bars. But other things like cutting transportation costs and being smarter about grocery shopping have really had an impact as well. As you can see I have been able to cut my variable expenses by more than half!

Thanks to this smarter spending I have paid off an extra $8k in student loan debt since the beginning of the year. My new spending habits have allowed me to take bigger chunks out of my debt. Here is how that is changing compared to last year:



So if anyone says it can't be done, just send them over to this post.

CNM

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Re: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2013, 11:36:00 AM »
Well done!

BPA

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Re: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2013, 11:48:08 AM »
Excellent work!

I could retire right now if I moved to another city, so I so agree with that MMM post.  I'm just not in a position to do that at the moment.

mustachecat

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Re: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2013, 11:53:05 AM »
Dude, way to go! That's beyond awesome. "More than half" is an understatement!

tooqk4u22

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Re: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2013, 01:29:56 PM »
That is f'in awesome....l love the graphs. 

Moving would be the single biggest impact in my quest to FIRE. 

MsSindy

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Re: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2013, 02:14:44 PM »
Excellent work!

I could retire right now if I moved to another city, so I so agree with that MMM post.  I'm just not in a position to do that at the moment.

BPA - I'm curious, what city would you move to?  Would it still be in Ontario?  My husband grew up in Stoney Creek (DOFASCO employed) and we go back to visit often - we're in Pennsylvania now.

BPA

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Re: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2013, 06:50:45 PM »
Excellent work!

I could retire right now if I moved to another city, so I so agree with that MMM post.  I'm just not in a position to do that at the moment.

BPA - I'm curious, what city would you move to?  Would it still be in Ontario?  My husband grew up in Stoney Creek (DOFASCO employed) and we go back to visit often - we're in Pennsylvania now.

Actually Stoney Creek is the area of Hamilton I live and work in too.  I would move to Prince Edward Island...either Kensington or Hunter River.  I spend summers in Cavendish and love it there.  For now, I am here because it's best for my son.  It's nice to know that if I get my arse fired, I have a fall back plan though.  ;)

arebelspy

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Re: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2013, 07:25:03 PM »
Way to go, DD.  Those graphs show some serious badassity!
I am a former teacher who accumulated a bunch of real estate, retired at 29, spent some time traveling the world full time and am now settled with three kids.
If you want to know more about me, this Business Insider profile tells the story pretty well.
I (rarely) blog at AdventuringAlong.com. Check out the Now page to see what I'm up to currently.

DebtDerp

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Re: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« Reply #8 on: March 08, 2013, 10:25:19 AM »
Thanks for all the great comments everyone! It feels really good to finally be on the right track with my finances. It might sound weird but I can't wait to pay off even more debt.

Phoebe

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Re: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2013, 10:38:14 AM »
Awesome job!!  I love the graphs - it must be so motivating to see the great progress you're making!!!

BayIslandSaver

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Re: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2013, 10:49:52 AM »
Looking good!  Keep it up.

mobilisinmobili

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Re: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« Reply #11 on: March 08, 2013, 01:14:43 PM »
Good work.

What software do you use for your charts? (I am such a nerd)

DebtDerp

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Re: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« Reply #12 on: March 08, 2013, 04:04:14 PM »
Good work.

What software do you use for your charts? (I am such a nerd)

Microsoft Excel 2010

Xtal

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Re: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« Reply #13 on: March 10, 2013, 06:08:22 PM »
So awesome!  It's great to see the graphs.  Nice work.

oldtoyota

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Re: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« Reply #14 on: May 27, 2013, 07:46:08 PM »
Good work.

What software do you use for your charts? (I am such a nerd)

Haha. I had the same question! Glad you asked. ;-)

oldtoyota

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Re: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« Reply #15 on: May 27, 2013, 07:46:31 PM »
Nice work!

Mazzinator

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Re: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« Reply #16 on: August 17, 2013, 01:29:29 AM »
I just read your blog...don't give up DD!!!


SunshineGirl

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Re: From Zero to Hero: This Stuff Actually Works!
« Reply #17 on: August 19, 2013, 08:52:29 AM »
Beautiful!

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!