Hello everyone,
So I think it's quite clear that anyone who visits the forum is enthusiastic about this way of life. That frugality is badass and that being badass will eventually bring with it certain levels of freedom. Now that I am a complete convert, I noticed that sharing these great forums, blogs, ideas and philosophies with my wife wasn't as easy as I thought it would be.
My approach thus far has been slow and steady. Dropping subtle hints of how we could do a few things differently with our money habits that could in the end benefit us and our eventual family in the long run.
Case in point, the usefulness of TWO vehicles in the yard. We went from owning a 2003 Jeep Liberty Renegade (my pre-mustachian ways) and her luxurious 2006 Toyota Rav4 to now owning a beautiful Electric Green 2001 Toyota Echo with low mileage to replace the Jeep and earn myself a few stripes for this mustachian move. Although, she won't give in to the idea of having ONE vehicle. Her reasoning is that in the near future she will be on maternity leave and will need access to a second vehicle in case of emergencies... I figure, if in trouble call 911!? If you need to get outside, grab a stroller and go for a walk and the list goes on. Nontheless, she will not budge!!! Hence, my great little green used Toyota that has been great not only on gas mileage but so far nothing to complain about except for some new tires.
My next step is getting her to use the green machine a little less on a weekly basis. For example, if we have errands A, B and C to run, I try to tell her that we can do all of them by bicycle. She basically looked at me like I was from planet idiot at the mention of showing up to Costco with our pedal bikes.
All this to say, how can you convince a great partner that this new philosophy of mine is basically a very obvious and easy way to get your butt to freedom and a sure way to a wealthier life in every way possible?
I try to lead by example and I think it's paying off but she's not one to bare the Canadian Winter on a pedal bike and I don't think I will fare much better in January in minus 20 degrees Celcius on a bike. For now, the autumn weather is nice and I bike to the gym (yes I still have yet to build a home gym), i bike back from school when she stays later (we both teach at the same high school), i take it for most of my grocery runs that require very little to carry (leaning towards the purchase of a bicycle trailer for bigger loads) and i feel amazing...
I just hope she stays on board....
Any advice for a trip that could be done for cheap? She wants the luxury of being on a resort, I tried selling her on camping in a tent in Florida near the Everglades... she definitely won't be coming from the looks of it.
Fellow Mustachian,
Jamie Montpellier
Newmarket, ON, Canada