"Advanced" mustachianism

[Devils Advocate]

First off I would like to say I love this blog and the mindset of many on here.

Since mustachianism is new concept and no real definition I would like to give my definition.

I believe conscientious spending, living a less consumer oriented lifestyle, striving for early financial independence is what makes us all "mustached".

If "advanced mustachionism" is

            ----using leverage to buy real estate
            ---- not using soap
            ----not having a cash equivalency in your asset allocation (i.e. Emergency Fund)
            ----- using a cup to catch menstrual flow
            -----dumpster diving
           
...then perhaps being a less mustached one is OKAY for me.  I'm not looking to embarass or look down on anyone that does these things, I just don't think being LESS ADVANCED is a bad thing for me personally.

DA



           

[grantmeaname]

A meme that goes around here a lot is that Mustachianism is about looking at the actual facts and determining what the costs and benefits of decisions are, and then deciding to do only those things that are worth it to you. Your Money or Your Life sort of has this feel to it as well. To a lot of people, not using soap has no real cost and some benefits, so they choose to not use soap. To you, the costs outweigh the benefits.

It's cool to find a bunch of other hardass cheapskates to show off to sometimes, and these forums are great for that. If you want to decrease your expenses further, by all means there are stellar role models living in RVs and building their own 400 sq.ft. houses . If you just want to retire early and buy less stupid useless trash, that doesn't mean you're violating the philosophy, you just have different perceived costs and benefits.

[Devils Advocate]

Thanks Grant,

That's how I feel too!

DA

[gecko10x]

I believe conscientious spending, living a less consumer oriented lifestyle, striving for early financial independence is what makes us all "mustached".
       

A meme that goes around here a lot is that Mustachianism is about looking at the actual facts and determining what the costs and benefits of decisions are, and then deciding to do only those things that are worth it to you.

These are great philosophies. Unfortunately, I do feel it sometimes gets lost a bit in all of the "badassity".

[velocistar237]

Each person has a point of diminishing returns, where the costs of expense reduction outweigh the benefits. It is about financial freedom, after all, and enslaving yourself to your finances in order to get financial freedom is kind of backwards.

There are a few good threads on the philosophy and purpose of Mustachianism.

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/authoritative-philosophy-of-mustachianism/
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/so-what's-the-point/

[arebelspy]

Devil: I don't think you can reduce it so easily.  You may want to try to classify certain things as Mustachian and not, but it's more about a certain mindset.

For example, I consider myself "Mustachian" (whatever that does mean), yet I only do 2 of the five things you listed in the OP.  I don't do the other 3.

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/authoritative-philosophy-of-mustachianism/
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/so-what's-the-point/

These two threads are exactly the two I was going to link to.  Read them, and try to embrace the philosophy, not necessarily any one individual's implementation of it.

I may disagree with what certain people do, or how they do it, but I don't disagree with why they do it.  If we're on the same page of Mustachianism, you may take a certain path to FI, and I may take a different one, but we're both aiming for the same things.

Disagreements along the way are common, and (as long as done in a civil manner), even good, IMO.  Being forced to think differently and think in a different way is one of the main appeals of the forums, IMO. 

[MrSaturday]

To me mustachian badassity is being honest with yourself and not making excuses about why you're going to spend your money on something you don't absolutely need.

[Devils Advocate]

Arebelspy,

I agree with you. Those threads were great! Thanks. 

I like your definition the best really!  FREEDOM, CHOICE.  Excellent.

There are many roads to the same destination. 

It is enjoyable to see different perspectives and can understand your investment strategies.  I may have taken your "Less mustached" in the wrong context and apologize for my reaction.

I am very fortunate to be in my financial situation and am really not far off from FI.  If I hated my job I could probably leave in the next few years.  Luckily I plan for the worst (living well below my means) and hope for the best (that I continue to enjoy my job).

DA

Health and Prosperity to you all

[arebelspy]

It is enjoyable to see different perspectives and can understand your investment strategies.  I may have taken your "Less mustached" in the wrong context and apologize for my reaction.

No worries.  It very easily could have been something I typed without thinking how it would come out, and was just a miscommunication on my part.  My post here more sums up what I think we agree on:
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/authoritative-philosophy-of-mustachianism/msg5198/#msg5198

Paying off the mortgage, or not, can both be Mustachian, definitely.  :)

[zweipersona]

The whole 'Mustachian' thing is a good way to talk about an idea but I don't like to give it a definition for fear of making it seem like a cult thing.

I like how many different perspectives pass through this forum... some are ideas I could introduce into my life, but some I could not.  Still interesting to hear and think about though, even if it's something I would not do.

[James]

I agree, it's easy to try and force too much into a term.  I think MMM and the forum have done well in talking about it and giving enough of an impression of what it means, without there being some formal definition.

[Mr Mark]

There is such a range of situations and preferences, any fixed 'brain-off' solution is almost by definition non-mustashian.

But there are some people who come to the blog who really are in a crisis of debt and negative net worth. For them, 'extreme' actions to get out of the financial death spiral driving them deeper into the hole asap are exactly what's required.

Personally, I'm a more hedonistic mustashian.  ;-)