In the debate of "Meet his challenge or go make your own" versus "Modify the challenge for myself," I personally see both sides, but would lean towards the former.
If you can't make the badassity gauntlet thrown down (for whatever reason - expensive COL area, kids, medical issues, whatever), it is what it is.
You should certainly set your own gauntlet, but why clutter up someone else's - that you can't meet, but hopefully others can - to
whine or complain talk about how it isn't feasible for you?
A currency conversion makes sense to me, but other shenanigans (increase due to XYZ excuses) don't.
The thing I find the most lame though is those modifying the challenge
to something you've already accomplished or are already on track for.
So I'm gonna administer some face punches, but don't take it personally. ;)
Two examples (not to specifically call these out, so names omitted, though obviously you could just scroll up, but just to point out these examples)..
Example 1:
Oooh, I like that version.
My first reaction to $10k annual spending was "no way" because our mortgage is more than double that, but we're a family of five and I'm pretty sure we can spend less than $50k all in. We have the past two years in a row, and that includes some pretty major purchases on top of our lavish lifestyle.
You're "pretty sure" you can, when you've already done it
two years in a row? And that's WITH major purchases and lavish spending in those two years? And
that's your gauntlet? Come on, that isn't a challenge!
Example 2:
So if I can interpret this challenge as "spend less than $16,450 total in 2014" for Aussies, then not only am I planning to come in under that (hopefully at $12,000 Aus for 2014, depending on medical costs) but there's at least one other Aussie who is planning to do this too.
Great challenge.
Wait, wtf? So you adjust the number up from 10k to 16k, then admit you're already planning on coming in
25% below that? How is it a challenge then to spend less than 16k if 16k is 25% over your budget? A challenge would be going from the 12k you're planning to the original 10k gauntlet thrown, not saying "look at this higher challenge I'm already easily meeting"!
WTF? How are these examples of badassity?
/facepunches administered
(No need to defend yourselves, I'm sure you have unique scenarios, etc. etc.. just pointing out how silly those posts are.)
@ Herbert Derp you really do slam down the gauntlet sometimes.
If I go over by $7k but increase my income by $7k does that count?
Nah, for this one I want to focus purely on spending, not cash flow.
Good call. Otherwise can't I just increase my spending by 50k and income by 50k and call it having met the challenge? That's - again - not badass or a challenge (spending-wise; it may be a challenge income-wise).
It's a tough gauntlet, to be sure.
I won't make it. I won't even make it at the 10k/person level (the wife and I spend about 25k between us).
I'd guess mostly younger people who have a roommate (or in another "nontraditional" living situation - living at home, living in an RV, etc.), so housing costs are super low, could make it. It's a very ERE-esque challenge - I'm sure multiple people on their forums can, and will, make that 10k spending.
It won't be most people that can meet it.
By all means, make your own challenges. But I tip my hat to those who can make this as-is (or with a currency conversion).