The Summer of Badass - Share victories and ways to groom your stache!

[Kyrene]

Wanted to share a few victories and open up the floor for other ways I, and others could grow our staches that you've implemented in the last few months. My wife and I are newlywedsand just adopted the Mustachian way this Spring and are already seeing huge improvements in our lifestyle. No kids, rent a place on the cheap, but own our own cars and aside from $40,000 in grad school debt we have no other financial burdens. Both in late 20's, I work full time at a cushy mid-level job, and my wife works 3/4s time doing what she loves.

Here are some of the changes we've made this summer that have had a big difference on our bottom line:

- Using YNAB to track all expenses and project a more defined budget.
- Switched from T-Mobile to RW. Sold old phones for more than the cost of two Moto Gs. Savings of ~$50 a month.
- Downgraded internet with TWC (Ugh). About to purchase own modem for additional savings. Savings of ~$10 a month.
- Started packing my own lunches, and cut eating out to budgeted date nights and special events.
- Cut down on water and electric usage. Savings of $40-50 a month.
- Sold unneeded closet possessions on CL for a total of $1200.
- Cut all random spending. No more shopping just to get out and do something. Spending more time doing free activities instead.
- Began investing in my new companies' 401k. Learned they do 200% match up to 3%. Whoa. Holla holla.
- Switching to only purchasing fresh, healthy foods. Savings up front on the grocery bill, and in our health long term.
- Changed auto and renters insurance to Geico. Saved about ~$60 a month. Switching to Amica soon for another ~$30 a month savings for more coverage.

Some big changes that are coming in the near future for us:

- Selling my Audi (20mpg) for a Prius C (50mpg) which we'll pay for in cash.
- Moving from a rented duplex to an amazing house my mother-in-law renovated and is letting us move into at the end of the year. Title in our name, paying her 200k for it at $1,000 month with no interest. Property value is currently around $280k.
- Move puts us a few blocks away from downtown and within biking distance for both of us to work.
- Making our own Christmas presents for friends and family this year.
- Opening Vanguard fund to being long term investing.

What have been your big changes towards a more Mustachian lifestyle this summer?

[Rage]

Wow, this is impressive.  You're knocking it out of the park.  For my household:

- Switched from Verizon ($135/mo) to RW ($60/mo)
- Biking to work as much as possible now - so far that's about half the time - it's only 2 miles
- Selling everything I have that I don't need that's worth anything - about $500 worth of stuff so far (we're kind of minimalist already, so we don't have huge piles of stuff we don't use)
- Switched to evaluating every purchase on its own merits instead of having a budget.  Guess that's kind of the opposite of YNAB?

Soon
- Sell Jeep Grand Cherokee (12mpg), probably get an old mini van - this is more about freeing up money than mpg because we don't drive much, but better mpg will be a positive side effect.
- Call Comcast (internet) and threaten to quit to get a better rate (or just quit)
- Planning to make some expenses intermittent to save money - e.g. go without home internet/Netflix for 6 months.
- Planning to try to solve the absurd energy inefficiency of my house - I think the windows are the problem, but not sure.

Stuff that was already badass before I ever heard of MMM
- Haven't had cable TV for years
- Have been maxing out 401k for years.

[Pooperman]

This summer:

Got a job after 5 month unemployment.
Moved into SO's parents' place from our old apartment (savings rate now about 80%).
Started biking to work*
Started a side hustle.
Fount MMM.
Learned how too invest.

Soon:
Bike to work every day (recovering from biking accident for a few weeks).
Get a new apartment beginning of next year that is almost 500/month cheaper, is nicer, and same size/distance/cost/safe as the last one.
Save max to 401k/IRA/HSA next year while living comfortably enough.
Collectively (SO and I) be less complainy-pants and more positive.

[cheapdad]

This summer,

Finished paying off all student loans ~50k. Now debt free not including our home loan

Switched insurance on house and cars saved 300/year house 40/month cars

Started up vanguard account with 15k

Changed all investments in 401k to low cost index funds saving 303 in fees this year alone

Rolled wife's 403b into IRA for better returns and more control

Had a baby girl saved no money at all, but it's ok cause she is cute

Upped 401k contributions to 25%.  Will adjust next year to make sure I don't out pace my employer contributions and lose them. 

They built a new grocery store a few miles from my house that is insanely cheap.  Cut grocery budget by about 100 bucks a month.

Cut back sprinkler use, cut water bill in half.  Hopefully my grass doesn't die.

Wife started a side business and is getting paid while at home with the baby.  Not much but it is building.

Called AAA and got a quote for insurance so I could get the 10 dollar subway gift card they offered with each quote. 

Canceled cable

Lowered internet costs just by calling and asking

Read a few financial books

I think that's it. 

[Chrissy]

Great job, everyone!  I loved reading all the ways y'all are saving money!  Here's mine:

This summer,

Called AT&T and had my internet service lowered from $45/mo to $25/mo

Re-enrolled in my company's pretax transit program after my sabbatical, which saves $11/mo

Switched my cellphone from AT&T ($67/mo) to Airvoice ($30/mo)

Upped my deductible while lowering the overall coverage of my renter's insurance, and saved $56/yr

Dropped my grocery purchases from $400/mo to $250/mo.  Don't ask me how!  It happened like magic once I started tracking it (through Mint).

Gave away $200 worth of clothing to charity

[Starter]

Fantastic job Kyrene!  I would have loved to have had Mr.MM's advice when I was in my 20s like you.  I would definitely have made changes sooner (and before kids).

This summer:
*walking everywhere in town (I have 3 kids, 5 and under, in tow)
*slashed our moderate grocery budget from $500/month to $280/month
*selling no longer needed items via Facebook groups.  Using said monies for any needed purchases.
*purchasing all clothes second hand and being sure said clothes are needed not wanted.
*convinced husband to sell paid-for, but under used, boat (gaining us $18,000 and saving on gas/insurance and time)