What grade would you give your mustache?

[joonifloofeefloo]

It occurs to me, with my fancy A+, that (as noted by others) we're all assessing by different metrics.

Some seem to be assessing how closely their lives imitates Pete's. I don't do that, since how Pete lives seems 100% irrelevant to me. I marked only by the title question.

It's like the Jesus thing. i.e., Some people attempt to align their lives with Jesus by wearing beards, sandals, and walking everywhere. Others attempt to align theirs by "being the most compassionate, just, radical [insert one's own name] they can." I always assume the latter is the bigger example an accidental-leader-type-person is setting.

[BCpuppy]

I think a solid C but up from a D- a year ago.

In the last year, we threw a total of 109,000$ at both my husband's and I's student loans.  Part of that was 90,000 student loan repayment program through my husband's work but it does force us to live in a very HCOL until his contract is up in 2019.

I switched from a job with 75miles (each way) commute to a 11 miles commute. I am going to a very $$$ graduate school full time but i should be able to cash flow all of it by continuing to work part time. 

Negatives
64,000 in non mortgage debt (mostly student loans; all interest rates under 3%)
Saving rate was only 28% (mortgage principal + savings but doesn't include savings for grad school)
Cant bike to work still; there are plans to put in a bike path but it looks like it still might be several years before it happens. 

[Dicey]

It occurs to me, with my fancy A+, that (as noted by others) we're all assessing by different metrics.

Some seem to be assessing how closely their lives imitates Pete's. I don't do that, since how Pete lives seems 100% irrelevant to me. I marked only by the title question.

It's like the Jesus thing. i.e., Some people attempt to align their lives with Jesus by wearing beards, sandals, and walking everywhere. Others attempt to align theirs by "being the most compassionate, just, radical [insert one's own name] they can." I always assume the latter is the bigger example an accidental-leader-type-person is setting.

I love the way you look at things.

[arebelspy]

The question is what grade would YOU give your mustache. Not what grade would Pete give it.

Cause the answer to that is "Who cares?"

:)

[Metric Mouse]

It occurs to me, with my fancy A+, that (as noted by others) we're all assessing by different metrics.

Some seem to be assessing how closely their lives imitates Pete's. I don't do that, since how Pete lives seems 100% irrelevant to me. I marked only by the title question.

It's like the Jesus thing. i.e., Some people attempt to align their lives with Jesus by wearing beards, sandals, and walking everywhere. Others attempt to align theirs by "being the most compassionate, just, radical [insert one's own name] they can." I always assume the latter is the bigger example an accidental-leader-type-person is setting.

I love the way you look at things.

+1

[gypsy79]

I am new to the forum, so not totally sure, but would say a B.

Pros: Two high incomes with no kids, high net worth, high savings/investment rates, no debt except a 3.5% mortgage on a house with a lot of equity, I work from home so rarely have commuting costs and business clothing etc is minimal, we live relatively minimalist and aren't big purchasers of material goods. Have decided not to take any trips this year so we can knock out mortgage (I know, I know, but we have several valid reasons that are too long and boring for this post). Funemployment for me is coming as soon as this mortgage is paid off, although I could do it now if I wanted. Husband has no desire for funemployment or early retirement at this time. He loves his job. I am 37, and he is 44.

Cons: He drives a luxury car, which he bought 3 years used and with cash, but he also has a taste for change every 5-7 years, so I see these expenditures recurring for the rest of our lives. I drive a brand new cheap car (bought with cash also) that will be pried out of my cold, dead hands. Literally, probably. My last vehicle I bought cheap and new and drove it for 15 years; on this one my goal is to keep it until it becomes a rust pile in the driveway. We live too far from the city for him to bike to work or for me to bike to the doctor and various other appointments. No public transportation here.

Which takes me to...we've repeatedly discussed moving into the city, but it would be so dang expensive. We will continue running the numbers occasionally, comparing commuting costs and time against cost of living in city, but for now we are staying put. We could afford to move, but it would cut our savings/investment rate significantly even if we got rid of both cars.

Other cons are that we spend way too much on groceries, eating out, and booze. We may not be materialistic, but we apparently loooovveee eating and drinking everything in sight. Despite that, he is very fit. (I don't know what I am. I look fit, but I have a lot of health problems. I'm hoping they are caused by work and will disappear once I enter funemployment.) :-)

[Nangirl17]

I give us a B.

Pros:
FI in 4-6 years, will decide when to RE after that
House paid off
Drive fuel efficient cars (that are 8 and 14 years old)
Eat out very rarely (a few times a year)
Feel in a good spot financially, so able to give to our various charities
Both working part time and loving the balance of our life!!!

Cons:
only about a 40% savings rate
Bought my car new (0% over 5 yrs, but still)
I don't own a bicycle (impossible for me to bike to work, but we walk to the grocery store... my DH bikes if the weather is above freezing)
Ridiculously high MER on investments

[TacheTastic]

I think I have to give my stache an E for attainment, but B+ for effort.

The good:
Spare room rented by lodger
Regular commute by train and bicycle, plan to be bicycle only in Spring
Car was bought cash in 2012 for cash.
No debt, other than student loan which is matched in savings account.
Annual spendings about £16k
Have a plan for better paid flexible work
Stache will really hit the fast track in 2.5 years

The bad:
In year 1 of a 3 year full time degree at age 32
Savings rate about 20%
Stache about £2k
Waiting for better paid work to be advertised

I feel so far behind, but I know I actually have the advantage because I know how to live frugally.

[Morning Glory]

Solid B:
Pros:
no debt besides mortgage
maxing 401k & Roth's
live 4 miles from work, bring lunch
 fairly minimalist
Family is healthy, no fancy diets
High credit scores
Income high enough so that husband could decrease work hours to take care of our son

Cons: 
only bike to work 6 months of the year because I have Reynaud's and live in a cold climate
husband is definitely not minimalist
 high home maintenance and utility costs
 have not worked out fire calculations yet (considering reducing my work hours, which will decrease our savings rate)
cars are not the most efficient: 2003 Neon and 2008 Crown Victoria: husband insists that he needs a big car to be comfortable, at least we paid cash for it

[Kaydedid]

B

Pros:
*Maxing out Roth IRA and tIRA (up to employer match), as well as HSA on $45k/year gross income.
*No mortgage, bought a cheap house and fixed it up ourselves.
*Clothes + shoes have been 'capsuled', only get replaced (thrift store) when truly worn out.
*Bike to most places during warmer months, although H drives 6 miles each way to work.
*Husband switched jobs, taking ~50% pay cut, gained major stability, joy, and work-life balance.
*Cars are cheap, reliable, paid off, and husband does 90% of repairs and maintenance.
*About halfway on the journey to minimalism, already seeing awesome results.
*No internet, cell phone, cable, or subscription bills (except the newspaper)

Cons:
*I SAH due to special-needs child (prefer to work).
*Extra car due to doctor appointments.
*Spend too much on groceries due to health issues.
*Husband still transitioning to job and eats out sometimes.
*2 cats, who are well-loved but a bit expensive for our income bracket.

[ChpBstrd]

I'll say C-.

Pros:
+DW and I each earned masters degrees, while working, and paid the tuition from salaries. DW one-upped me and pooped out a baby while in grad school and working FT! No student loan debt.
+$130k combined income in a LCOL area.
+Maxing 401k's, Roth IRAs.
+2 year old's 529 is worth 9k.
+45% savings rate.
+$490k stache at 38/34 years of age.
+Live 4 miles from our jobs.
+Thermostat is 68 in winter, 74 in summer. HVAC is 95% efficiency and SEER 16. Attic insulation is almost 1' deep.
+Shop for insurance every 3y.
+Earning 2% cash back on credit card.
+Pull a trailer behind my Corolla 》 eliminated need for a truck. Does just fine.

Cons:
-missed out on about a quarter million by investing too conservatively for years, and keeping cash on the sideline.
-Spending between $55k and $65k a year in an area where half that amount is middle class.
-$6k/yr restaurant spending
-$6k/yr grocery spending
-$750/yr life insurance (@ $1M each)
-2700sf clown house for 3 ppl. Also, it's a money pit of repairs, taxes, and utilities.
-2 economy cars (but 5 & 6 years old).
-Being too wimpy to ride my very nice bike 4 miles to work. Weak!
-1 dog @ about $2k/yr.
-Addicted to reading shit on the internet, like the news and dumb financial/investing commentary.
-Data plans, Netflix, Audible, and DW's magazine.
-Lacking both exercise and sleep. No time for side gigs.
-DW brings a lot of merchandise home and insists on fancy food. I waste money driving too much, and trading equities too much.
-DW doesn't think ER is a plausible goal, math be dammed! Not on board with more radical adjustments.

Bottom line, we should have a savings rate around 70% which would reduce our FIRE date by 2 years, but we are still addicted to luxury and unable to agree on next steps. This is hard for me to bear because I desperately want to move on to my real life priorities.

Nonetheless, we've kicked ass for the past 3 years, all things considered. Hopefully we get better with time and eliminate the remaining waste. If we could get the annual drain down to $45k, ER would be right around the corner.

[merula]

Eh, B-?

The good:
-40-60% savings rate
-Bike/bus/carpool for every commute, never drive. (Carpool is with neighbors going to the same place around the same time. They drive, by their own choice. Whether I ride or not makes no difference.)
-Family of 4, grocery spend average $300/month, with plenty of local/organic/frufru stuff. (Most cooking is entirely from scratch)
-Virtually all clothing is thrifted, a small part is clearance/outlet
-Read a lot of library books, buy maybe 1 book/year (used)
-Virtually all laundry is cold wash/line dry
-Cloth diapers
-Home brewing
-Recently switched to term life instead of whole. Term will expire shortly after FI.

The adequate:
-One vehicle: a Honda Fit, bought new in 2013, now has 35k miles on it
-Smallish house (1,400 sq ft), but one more bedroom than we strictly need
-Eating lunch or coffee out 2-3x/week (mostly as a coworker relationship-maintenance thing, but still)
-Low-cost cell phones (S4s, on $30/mo/ea plans)
-15 year mortgage

The bad:
-Travel habits
-Hire out more household repair/improvements than I should
-Car loan (but only 0.9% interest!)
-Children have WAY TOO MUCH STUFF (mostly stuff we didn't buy, but still. Not good.)

[stoaX]

A-

Pros:
50+% savings rate, 4 rental houses, electric vehicle, recycle, 2022 retire date (on track & will be 37), rarely if ever dine out (Papa Murphy take N bake excluded), in very good shape.

Cons:
Spend to much ammo, eat too much pizza, drink too much beer (have to work out 6 times/wk to compensate):).
 

I give myself a c+.   But then again I put the ammo, pizza and beer in the "pros" category. 

[rickyjo]

Hello all,
This seems as good a place to introduce myself as any. I think I just completed all the articles on this site, so now I'm turning to the forums.

If we stick with the financial stuff, a B+, if we expand to the larger philosophy of MMM, a C at best. I came here to learn about money, but I've been inspired by other aspects.

Pros:
- I've always been frugal. My wife and I live on 12-15k/year before giving, and we want for little. I still have toys including a 3D printer, and nice computers (Protip: computer recyclers sometimes have semi-broken but awesome computers they will sell you for a reduced price; fixing computers is easy and a great skill to have. I got an i7 Lenovo laptop for $25 once).
- We live a couple years behind on the technology curve. I always have nice things, just a few years old
- My wife has pretty much come around, which I'm so thankful for. Not that she was ever a big spender, she's just even better now.
- Our savings rate is over 80% and has been over 70% for a while, unfortunately this is about to change for the worse (see cons)
- I own sensible paid for vehicles
- No debt
- Never had any student debt (I found a really cool way to get college credit with professional trainings that saved me a boat-load even though I was making about minimum wage at the time)
- Paid for condo (got it as a distressed property for 43k several years ago)
- My net worth is way better than I could ever have imagined
- I recently sold several dozen items on Craigslist and learned that my condo is actually big enough to live in comfortably.

Cons:
- I really struggle with enjoying my work, and this struggle has extended to several jobs. It's weird because I love what I do, but the job always stresses me out more than it should. My optimism gun needs work :)
- I'm cutting back to part time which will put more years on the path to financial freedom (I'll be taking a solid 50% pay-cut from about 60k to about 30k). We should still be able to save at least 50%, hopefully more, of our income despite this change. Our total income will be cut to about 40-45k
- My wife isn't making much money either (about 15k/yr), but she loves her job. It's her own form of early retirement. I have never seen her dread going to work like I sometimes do. I'm thankful to come home to a happy wife every day!
- I have a bike, and I use it for recreation and fitness (not enough), but not often for transportation. There are a lot of reasons for this, but I would like to do better. I do think my biking situation is uniquely challenging, which is what everyone says. I'm sure this forum will put me straight soon!
- I watch a lot of TV (not cable, I'm not crazy, mostly Netflix)
- I don't have time or energy to do much fun stuff. I blame work stress and TV, and that's why I've taken the scary step of moving to part time. I think I will also have more energy to better utilize the free time I already have in addition to the new time.
- I've historically been afraid to invest a lot of my money (obviously a mistake), but we are shopping for a rental property to remedy this and hopefully make back some lost income.

My action plan is to pause obsessing about financial stuff, and accept that a 50+% savings rate is still OK, at least for now (long term action plan to get back to 75% is to buy/fix-up that rental). Then I'm going to get in shape, spend more time doing FUN things, and try to be a more optimistic and useful human being. I want to volunteer OFTEN, and stop being a wussy/complainypants, and have FUN; not by consuming, but by really living at least four days a week. My hope is that working 24/40ths as much (three eight-hour days) will be less than 24/40ths the stress because I will be better equipped to handle the work-time in a productive way. I was hoping to get financially free and quit all official jobs, but things reached critical mass.   

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that while cutting to part time may drop my financial MMM score from an A- to a B+, I'm hoping my total score goes up from a C to a solid B+. I am super open to ideas, by the way, is my plan a good one?

[Nangirl17]

- I really struggle with enjoying my work, and this struggle has extended to several jobs. It's weird because I love what I do, but the job always stresses me out more than it should. My optimism gun needs work :)
- I'm cutting back to part time which will put more years on the path to financial freedom (I'll be taking a solid 50% pay-cut from about 60k to about 30k). We should still be able to save at least 50%, hopefully more, of our income despite this change. Our total income will be cut to about 40-45k


.... My hope is that working 24/40ths as much (three eight-hour days) will be less than 24/40ths the stress because I will be better equipped to handle the work-time in a productive way.....

Welcome, Rickyjo!

I applaud your choice for balance. A year ago I went part time even though I am not quite FI and found that it was the best thing for my personal life and mental health. Like you, I love my job, but working full-time was too stressful and after 10 years I was ready to quit. My DH convinced me to go to pt (reminding me that I did love my job but that I just needed some balance). Life changed so drastically that I will never go back to full time at this job, even if it takes 25 more years to retire! (It'll be 5-10 instead of 3-4)

[rickyjo]

I'm really encouraged to hear you say that, thank you so much! I'm trying to get pumped for my new situation, but I don't have a lot of people that share my values to discuss it with, so I'm second guessing myself. But I'm pretty sure it's a good plan, and your comment helps confirm it. 

[arebelspy]

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that while cutting to part time may drop my financial MMM score from an A- to a B+, I'm hoping my total score goes up from a C to a solid B+. I am super open to ideas, by the way, is my plan a good one?

Have you tried extra credit?

Awesome post, and welcome to the forums!  You should turn that post into a case study, IMO.

[Heckler]

Maybe a B? Sometimes I feel like a badass, and sometimes I feel like a spendypants.

Feathers in my cap:
We are on the same page about our budget, and we allocate our spending to things that make us happy.

Being on the same page as your partner is huge!

Us - (40 somethings DINKS in the third most expensive city in the world for housing)   B+

Badass:
1.  I got a moneyhat for my birthday.   Literally, my wife made me a conical duncecap with photocopied $10 bills on it.
2.  I have a 57 page personal finance spreadsheet.  It's called the "Big Spreadsheet.xls", but I use OpenOffice at home.
3.  I have a income, taxes, saving and spending plan till we are 99 years old. 
4.  We've exceeded the first two years savings of that plan by $17,060
5.  60% and 64% net savings rate the past two years.  Targeting 60% net for the next three years of full time work.
6.  We own (mortgage free) a townhouse with a 173% increase in value since purchase 13 years ago.
7.  Heat on a programmable thermostat set at 67F when home (4 hours) and 60F at night or during the day
8.  In two years, we've doubled our investments since finding MMM, dropping 2.5% in MERs. 
9.  Our oldest vehicle is our camper van (aka our vacation property) - we don't pay for hotels.
10.  Wife has figured out a job where we get free fancypants spendypants mountain bikes each year.  This could get addictive though.
11.  Haven't been to McDonald's in three years (kicked a 2-3X a week habit)
12.  Wife rides bike to work every day 1 mile each way.  I ride in the nice weather twice a week 10 miles each way.
13.  I have my second "for fun" job building mountain bike trails professionally.
14.  We have never paid for cable TV, in 21 years of marriage.  Our recent Netflix signup was a splurge because my mom was having trouble accessing her account on more than 2 devices. 
15.  Haven't paid for a haircut since October 2015.  The lovely locks of 1994 are back!
16.  My only clothing purchase last year was a $3.99 pair of jeans from Sally Ann.

Kickmeintheass:
1.  Two dirtbikes in the basement we don't ride - sell them, or keep them for when we move to the sticks???  Planning to sell this spring, but it's tough.
2.  Three cars (paid off), two drivers (only one driver most of the time - me) - 1981 Westphalia, 2006 Vibe and 2007 Patriot.  All four cylinders that don't get maintenance other than an annual oil change in the carport or brakes when needed. 
3.  Spend too much time online and on Netflix.  Exceed our internet limit by $5-10 each month regularily.
4.  Too much beer and alcohol, but I make the beer and wine at home, so it evens out as a cost savings from old us.
5.  Our townhouse is way too big for two, but it's nice to have space and not worry about it.  $500/month condo fees though.  Blech. 

[Mr Chin Stubble]

My grade = D

Mustachioed:
-My car is 19 yrs old and I do a lot of the maint. my self
-My motorcycle is a 1981 that I bought from Craigslist and fixed up myself
-I have a mortgage that is 1x my annual income
-I split the wifi with a nabe
 -I take the bus to work nearly eery day

Razor burn:
-I drive 2 miles to the bus every day
-I spend way too much on drinking; clubs; and go-go bars
-I eat at the workplace cafeteria almost every day. (Although it is weighed food and I usually keep it under 3 bucks).
-Until reading this awesome post I thought 10-15% was a good savings rate (and I am not sure I even saved that much every year)  :/

[soccerluvof4]

I would give myself a C maybe a C+ from whatever is below and F..over the last 3-4 years.

We downsized, sold a vacation home, sold a bunch of toys and crap we didn't use, cut grocery bills in half, 4 years in on paid for vehicles we will keep for 10+, House paid for and zero debt, Have more than when we fire'd, stay within or beat our budget which I keep finding ways to sharpen, have done a ton of DIY projects...lost 50-60lbs and exercise daily. We hardly eat out and if we do we will have a significant discount. Clothes are bought at second hand stores I would guess 75% of the time.

To get to an A (some of that will be as kids move out). We are rotten with cell phones and TV's but I fight so much about it I am always unhappy so have just given up since DW doesn't back me enough. 2 kids will be gone in 2 years so that will help but will still have 2 at home. Spend way to much on select sports though two oldest got full scholarships to great schools so some rewards back there. Need to even get better at doing more and more things myself. Continued educating as well in being more diversed in my passive income streams.

[rickyjo]

2.  I have a 57 page personal finance spreadsheet.  It's called the "Big Spreadsheet.xls", but I use OpenOffice at home.

+10 points for big spreadsheet. What do you track on FIFTY-SEVEN PAGES?
+20 points for OpenOffice

[Heckler]

Lol. Too much..

A summary page
IPS
Three years Net worth on a quarterly basis
A net worth page by quarter over the years
A net worth graph
Asset allocation annual plans - which account to add to to keep AA in check over 5 accounts, each holding a couple ETFs. 
Asset allocation today and rebalancing calculators
Asset allocation on a quarterly basis
Dividends estimated and DRIP expectations as well as annual dividend expected income
Cash flow plan  in/out chequing & savings for the next year
Cost of fx using Norbert's gambit vs continuing to buy CAD ETFs
ETFs quantity to buy with $x calculator
Home Depot credit card tracker (0% if paid in 12 months, 24% if not, or forget one payment)
Bikes for sale this year (complicated, but it's the most mustachian way to ride a new $6000 mtn bike, trust me)
Utilities, Internet and phone costs tracking and cost reductions graphs that were hung on the fridge, furnace and dryer
Income tax tables
Annual income, savings and taxes tables till 99 years old
Mortgage tracking (obsolete now)
Mint annual expenses
And a couple more random tabs


Too much. All dropboxed so I can access anywhere. 

[Heckler]

The best part is I can fuck around with my investments with never actually selling or buying, unless it's really in the plan to buy.