Inspiration you have taken from this forum to achieve something...

[marty998]

This is a happy thread. You are required to be happy here else I will yell at you from the other side of the world. Got it? Good.

Which forumite or what post/thread has inspired you to go outside your comfort zone and achieve something mustachian? Here is an opportunity to share and thank.

I am not a masterchef by any stretch of the imagination. I have kept myself alive for this long with a signature mince dish* and various other simple pre-seasoned meats and basic vegetables/ + lettuce & tomato.

Inspired by the epic Beatles case study thread I had a go at expanding my repatoire by cooking chicken breast. I know, I know, basic stuff but I had never done this before! Thank you to all the forumites who provided cooking ideas in that thread.

1) Trimmed the fat off the breast, sliced into strips/cubic like shapes, marinated with Masterfoods' soy, honey & garlic sauce and popped in fridge.
2) Grated carrot and diced lettuce leaves
3) Boiled oriental & soy flavoured rice
4) Stir-fired marinated chicken breast pieces for 6-7 minutes until cooked through and golden.

Easy. And the cost?

220g Chicken breast - $2.95 (overpaid, now know to go to the deli, instead of the the packaged trays)
Marinate - $0.20 (estimate)
Rice - $0.30
2 teaspoon butter - $0.03 (give or take)
3 leaves of lettuce - $0.25
1/2 carrot - $0.14
Lemon juice - $0.02 (for arguments sake)

Total $3.89. And if I don't say so myself, it looked amazing too (photo attached). Best of all, I don't feel the slightest need to snack afterwards. Feel full and satisfied :)

*Premium beef mince with diced onions, garum masala, crushed ginger, minced garlic, crushed chilli and sun dried tomatoes.

[HappierAtHome]

No photo showing up yet, Marty?

Thanks to the I cut my own hair today thread, my husband and I started cutting each other's hair! It's been relatively smooth sailing from the first attempt and now we're pretty great at it :-) and it saves serious cash.

[marty998]

Photo there now. You must have seen the post in the split second before I posted on the laptop and then modified by adding the photo via phone!

Just think Happier - you'll have a little one to practice some crazy styles on soon enough :D

[mustachepungoeshere]

This is a happy thread. You are required to be happy here else I will yell at you from the other side of the world. Got it? Good.

Which forumite or what post/thread has inspired you to go outside your comfort zone and achieve something mustachian? Here is an opportunity to share and thank.

I am not a masterchef by any stretch of the imagination. I have kept myself alive for this long with a signature mince dish* and various other simple pre-seasoned meats and basic vegetables/ + lettuce & tomato.

Inspired by the epic Beatles case study thread I had a go at expanding my repatoire by cooking chicken breast. I know, I know, basic stuff but I had never done this before! Thank you to all the forumites who provided cooking ideas in that thread.

1) Trimmed the fat off the breast, sliced into strips/cubic like shapes, marinated with Masterfoods' soy, honey & garlic sauce and popped in fridge.
2) Grated carrot and diced lettuce leaves
3) Boiled oriental & soy flavoured rice
4) Stir-fired marinated chicken breast pieces for 6-7 minutes until cooked through and golden.

Easy. And the cost?

220g Chicken breast - $2.95 (overpaid, now know to go to the deli, instead of the the packaged trays)
Marinate - $0.20 (estimate)
Rice - $0.30
2 teaspoon butter - $0.03 (give or take)
3 leaves of lettuce - $0.25
1/2 carrot - $0.14
Lemon juice - $0.02 (for arguments sake)

Total $3.89. And if I don't say so myself, it looked amazing too (photo attached). Best of all, I don't feel the slightest need to snack afterwards. Feel full and satisfied :)

*Premium beef mince with diced onions, garum masala, crushed ginger, minced garlic, crushed chilli and sun dried tomatoes.

Woo hoo, so proud of you.

Ps. You forgot something else that you do now because of a forumite. Ahem, cheese.

[marty998]

Grating my own cheese? Ok yeah, thank you MPGH :)

$70 a year saving I think it worked out to be, and healthier too

[aceyou]

In MMM's third post, he states,

"What I want you to do is start thinking of REAL savings. Not putting away $5 or $150 per month, but more like FIVE THOUSAND per month. Not everyone can do that. But a middle-class American family with two teachers making $60k each per year, who are currently saving zero and struggling to get by? THEY SHOULD BE SOCKING AWAY $5000 PER MONTH. Word."

I was like "shit, I am a teacher who makes about 60k, and so is my wife...this is US!"

That paragraph hooked me into reading the other 400 posts! 

Then I  got onto the forum and saw some Ed Mill's guy posting On the web he's themillionaireeducator, but he posts here too.  Devouring his site, in conjunction with all the other stuff on here, gave me what I needed to get going. 

Two years, later, we are now socking away 6k per month...WORD!  Take that MMM:)

[golfreak12]

In MMM's third post, he states,

"What I want you to do is start thinking of REAL savings. Not putting away $5 or $150 per month, but more like FIVE THOUSAND per month. Not everyone can do that. But a middle-class American family with two teachers making $60k each per year, who are currently saving zero and struggling to get by? THEY SHOULD BE SOCKING AWAY $5000 PER MONTH. Word."

I was like "shit, I am a teacher who makes about 60k, and so is my wife...this is US!"

That paragraph hooked me into reading the other 400 posts! 

Then I  got onto the forum and saw some Ed Mill's guy posting On the web he's themillionaireeducator, but he posts here too.  Devouring his site, in conjunction with all the other stuff on here, gave me what I needed to get going. 

Two years, later, we are now socking away 6k per month...WORD!  Take that MMM:)

VERY VERY NICE !!!!!!!!

[golfreak12]

The best thing I learned from this was to put everything in the Index Funds which I did.

[SwordGuy]

I cut my years to financial independence by 12 years.

And that financial independence will be much more prosperous, too.

The knowledge in the MMM blogs and this forum made it possible.

[HappierAtHome]

Another practical thing: only owning one car. While we're now in the unenviable position of needing to buy a new-to-us car, it'll be ONE car between TWO of us for at least the foreseeable future.

[Adventine]

About a month ago, I got inspiration from arebelspy and his family to quit a job that was making me desperately unhappy and seriously sick. In fact, I got (slightly) yelled at by arebelspy in person: "What is the point of FU money if you don't use it?!"

I think that outburst was one of the events that really motivated me to leave that Terrible Job. Five days after I resigned, I got an unsolicited job offer from an organization offering a much better work life balance. I start my new job on January 23.

Thanks again, Joe and Ali and Annabelle :)

[Laura33]

My recent inspiration is to try Aldi's - they opened one a few miles away, but I hadn't tried it because the location isn't that convenient and, if I'm going to drive some distance, I'm very happy with Wegman's.  But I've had too many $250 receipts lately (oh, look, how did that prosciutto get in there?), so I'm going to give it a shot this weekend.  A little more intention and effort is good for me.

Bigger-picture, I just like all the stories and perspectives, because this place just keeps me grounded.  So many messages about stuff and convenience and consumption, everywhere, every day.  This place is a nice reminder that none of that is real and I don't actually need nearly as much as I sometimes think I do to be happy and live a good life.

[Roots&Wings]

Voluntary Discomfort. Taking on project's that no one else wanted and work travel (which I hate) has resulted in greater enjoyment at work and a few pay bumps. It can be a fun alchemy challenge!

[pachnik]

Most recent thing was joining in the Uber Frugal January thread which is a cross-over from Frugalwoods' blog.    I joined in with the other people on the thread and we encourage each other. 

Bigger picture, my husband and I can afford to travel when we stop wasting our money on stuff.  In 2016, we went to Paris and London!  This year, we're going on a cruise to Alaska (which is actually a pretty cheap vacation).   I am also saving 35% of my income while doing this traveling.

At the end of April 2017, it will be my 4-year mustache anniversary!  Really glad I found this place.  Thanks everyone.

[Adventine]

About a month ago, I got inspiration from arebelspy and his family to quit a job that was making me desperately unhappy and seriously sick. In fact, I got (slightly) yelled at by arebelspy in person: "What is the point of FU money if you don't use it?!"

I think that outburst was one of the events that really motivated me to leave that Terrible Job. Five days after I resigned, I got an unsolicited job offer from an organization offering a much better work life balance. I start my new job on January 23.

Thanks again, Joe and Ali and Annabelle :)

A new side gig for Rebs? Travel around the world yelling (gently) at forum members to FIRE or FU their jobs for better ones. Not sure how much it would pay but I'm sure people would feed him ;-)!. Congrats on the change in jobs too!

My latest inspiration is from the various "how old is your car" threads. Inspired me to keep my old vehicle longer (probably until it dies).

Heh, the experience was priceless. And thanks! <3

[Dezrah]

The forum inspired/shamed me to walk to and from work. 

Don't be impressed; it's only 0.6 miles one way.  I made excuses for months after we moved to our current location.  "It's too hot.  I don't want to be sweaty arriving at work.  I'm too slow in the morning and I need to get to work quickly.  It's raining."  It was so pathetic.

Finally I read a thread where a poster described how he walked past his neighbor's office on his way to the bus station, yet this pathetic neighbor always drove.  I was basically that neighbor. 

Now I walk almost everyday to work (almost, I'm still not perfect).  I actually love it and hate that I took so long to get in the habit.

There were even two occasions where I HAD to walk because my husband accidently took my keys with him.  Funny enough, both these days had terrible weather.  The one day was bitter cold and very windy, while the other had torrential rain.  Even with those conditions the walk was fine.  So now I've seen the worst winter has to offer and have no more excuses. 

I just hope I can keep it up when the hot summers come around.

[marty998]

In fact, I got (slightly) yelled at by arebelspy in person: "What is the point of FU money if you don't use it?!"

Well when it's put that way, it's pretty much the end of the debate isn't it?

Early contender for quote of the year.

[DailyGrindFree]

In MMM's third post, he states,

"What I want you to do is start thinking of REAL savings. Not putting away $5 or $150 per month, but more like FIVE THOUSAND per month. Not everyone can do that. But a middle-class American family with two teachers making $60k each per year, who are currently saving zero and struggling to get by? THEY SHOULD BE SOCKING AWAY $5000 PER MONTH. Word."

I was like "shit, I am a teacher who makes about 60k, and so is my wife...this is US!"

That paragraph hooked me into reading the other 400 posts! 

Then I  got onto the forum and saw some Ed Mill's guy posting On the web he's themillionaireeducator, but he posts here too.  Devouring his site, in conjunction with all the other stuff on here, gave me what I needed to get going. 

Two years, later, we are now socking away 6k per month...WORD!  Take that MMM:)

Impressive. Great job.

[Adventine]

In fact, I got (slightly) yelled at by arebelspy in person: "What is the point of FU money if you don't use it?!"

Well when it's put that way, it's pretty much the end of the debate isn't it?

Early contender for quote of the year.

Heh. To be precise, this happened in December 2016. Still, it's my personal quote of the year.

[The beatles]

It's literally saved my life.

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/the-beatles-case-study/

[birdiegirl]

Dezrah -I think you've shamed me a bit about not walking to work :)    We moved a few months ago and I'm 0.5 miles from my office.  Granted we are in MN and it's been below zero a lately ...but I didn't even try it in the fall.  That will be my goal when it gets back above freezing! 

I've learned a lot from this forum and have been making much better decisions with my money - learned about index funds, increased our 401K contributions, opened a taxable investment account, and just bought a reasonable used car (not the crazy expense brand new car I would have leased before!)

The most important thing though was to let go of the attitude that I "deserve" nice things because I've worked hard.  Now I've changed my mindset to think that I "deserve" to have choices - freedom and flexibility to enjoy my life and not spend it all working for some corporation I don't care about.  Got a long way to go to FIRE but now that is much more important to us that the "stuff" we have. 

[HappierAtHome]

It's literally saved my life.

http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/the-beatles-case-study/

You're one of us now, there's no going back :-)

[HappierAtHome]

I thought of another small but practical thing: Bracken_Joy convinced me to join my local Buy Nothing group, which has been FANTASTIC for me in providing lots of baby things I otherwise would've bought, and an easy way to declutter and pass on unwanted items.

[sonjak]

Great thread!

So many things but my biggest inspiration has been increasing my 401k contribution.  I was at 6% (the company match level) when I joined and I thought I was doing well to do that and aspire to maxing my IRA.  Since joining MMM, I've increased my 401k contribution to 18%.  I am working towards maxing it by the end of next year.  I've also started maxing my HSA (achieved last year, on track for this year) and my IRA (achieved for last year, on track for this year) and switched from contributing to a roth IRA to a tIRA based on advice re. projected income/tax rate.  Saving half my income.

Smaller things are 1) IP Daily (quit renting my modem and switch to better cell service), 2) make more homemade (1967mama for regular posts about all the stuff she makes from scratch and swick for the homemade Christmas threads - I started my vanilla this week!!) 3) lowering my processed carb intake (lots of posters in multiple threads) 4) HappierAtHome for starting the Uber Frugal challenge and whoever first mentioned the Frugalwoods challenge and site.  (Last time i checked out that site it didn't speak to me because it felt pretty child/family focused but it is now really helping me).  Loved today's food post 5) all the posts by people who are so much further down the path than I am, all the FIREd people and the people with 60-75%/etc. savings rates - gives me a goal to strive towards 6) all the people just starting who have a lot of debt and are really motivated to do something about it and spongy with the advice.  Remind me of how far I've come in a fairly short time.

I was already debt free thanks to advice out there like Dave Ramsay but this forum helped me kick it up several notches and I regularly get inspired to do more and spend less. 

[WildJager]

My wife and I were both fairly frugal from the start, and I have always been interested in investing, but this blog gave us a goal to harness those skills in a calculable manner.  We refined our budget and drove forward with an end goal in sight.  Over the years, this has allowed us to comfortably live while enjoying a nearly 80% savings rate.  Investment AA has remained the same, but the withdrawal strategy has been cemented since we will be using our stash in 4 years instead of 30.

Cooking has always been a hobby for us, but this new found focus cut out the, "meh, it's been a long day, let's just order a pizza" thought process.  Now we keep enough prepared meals to cover down when we don't feel like cooking something fresh.

We spent half a year test driving a biking only commute after moving closer to work.  After we found it that we enjoyed it, we bit the bullet and went down to one car.  Bike commuting is great, and it's fun receiving the screwy comments from co-workers on why we'd ever want to bike while it's freezing and snowing outside.  "Buy a car you cheap ass!"  "But, I already have one!"  Haha

Cutting the phone bill from $120 / month to $20.

Sold clothes dryer.  Just hang dry now.  We air dry dishes too. 

More focus on living our life, instead of waiting to live.  Still working on that, but the foundation is being built.  There is still the day dreaming on what our days will be filled with when we no longer are working 9-5 jobs, but even though we haven't made practical steps on some of those dreams it keeps the motivation alive.

Getting out of the rat race (even though I'm still in it technically).  I don't even remember the last time when I considered work a competition between me and my peers for stratifications and awards.  I get satisfaction out of accomplishing a mission well, and helping others accomplish theirs, rather than worrying about who gets the credit for it.  Quite... liberating.

Being more tolerant of other's quarks.  Now that I'm the goofball riding their bike in the rain, or doesn't go out for lunch with the office, I've realized people do things for different reasons that may not be understood from an outsiders perspective.

[blahblahblah]

Finally got the guts to invest my savings and start talking FIRE with my spouse.  For a few reasons, both of these intimidated me in the past.

[MichaelB]

Started shoveling money into tax-deferred accounts, starting with maxing out my HSA thru work. Still working on maxing IRA and 401k. Lower taxes = more money to stache!

Reducing grocery spending. We were spending over $400 per month for just me and DW (didn't realize this until we got everything into Mint), but now we're averaging $250 a month.

Being more conscious of car trips--trying to get multiple things done in one errand in the same area, rather than just driving around wherever.

Opened up credit cards to maximize rewards points. We were already just swiping everything and paying off the balance--now just getting a bit more bang for our buck.

[aceyou]

I've realized people do things for different reasons that may not be understood from an outsiders perspective.

Powerful quote

[HappierAtHome]

I've realized people do things for different reasons that may not be understood from an outsiders perspective.

Powerful quote

This mindset shift has been one of my favourite parts of mustachianism.

Now I find I get along much better with the people living alternative lifestyles, or making unusual choices, than I used to. They feel more like *my* people.

[arebelspy]

This forum helped me get over the mindset that I have to earn it all up front to 100% security (or as close as you can get mathematically) of never needing to earn another dollar again.

Being able to understand that "well our situation is such that it's only VERY LIKELY that I won't have to earn money again... but if I do, it's not the end of the world" was a huge game changer that let us take the leap earlier than we would have otherwise.

Haven't yet regretted it, for even a second.

(P.S. I wasn't yelling at you, Adventine... just sort of getting excited, near you, and about you. I can get a little passionate. I'm glad it helped. :) )

[Adventine]

This forum helped me get over the mindset that I have to earn it all up front to 100% security (or as close as you can get mathematically) of never needing to earn another dollar again.

Being able to understand that "well our situation is such that it's only VERY LIKELY that I won't have to earn money again... but if I do, it's not the end of the world" was a huge game changer that let us take the leap earlier than we would have otherwise.

Haven't yet regretted it, for even a second.

(P.S. I wasn't yelling at you, Adventine... just sort of getting excited, near you, and about you. I can get a little passionate. I'm glad it helped. :) )

Nah, you were yelling about something I said, to my face, caused by your righteous indignation.  I don't mind, it helped me make a decision that resulted in a much happier Adventine. We can agree to call it a FIRE-y pep talk! (Pardon the bad pun)

[honeybbq]

I got an instant pot because of MMM forums. Which really hasn't saved me money since I already cook almost all our meals at home but it has saved me time and frustration. <3

[redbird]

I got an instant pot because of MMM forums. Which really hasn't saved me money since I already cook almost all our meals at home but it has saved me time and frustration. <3

Same! I love my Instant Pot and use it all the time. I'd heard about it a few years ago, but was never convinced. MMM forums + Amazon having a great sale on it on Prime Day convinced me. But like you said - I don't save money thanks to Instant Pot.

The forums themselves haven't really inspired me too much yet, other than cooking/food-related suggestions. DH and I were already Mustachian before we discovered MMM, but MMM made us realize it was possible to retire early and helped give us the tools that we needed to do so.

We've also been a single car only household for over 4 years partly because of MMM. And, truth be told, we don't miss having a second car. The savings were definitely worth it!

[arebelspy]

Nah, you were yelling about something I said, to my face, caused by your righteous indignation.  I don't mind, it helped me make a decision that resulted in a much happier Adventine. We can agree to call it a FIRE-y pep talk! (Pardon the bad pun)

Huh.  Maybe it's a culture thing?  I don't feel like in America that would be considered "yelling at you"--but maybe in the Philippines, people tend to be quieter than loud Americans?

Or maybe I'm just not self-aware, and was yelling, despite me not thinking I was.

Whichever the case, it felt like yelling to you, and I feel bad now, and feel like I should apologize again, even though you said you didn't mind.  Sorry!

[Adventine]

Nah, you were yelling about something I said, to my face, caused by your righteous indignation.  I don't mind, it helped me make a decision that resulted in a much happier Adventine. We can agree to call it a FIRE-y pep talk! (Pardon the bad pun)

Huh.  Maybe it's a culture thing?  I don't feel like in America that would be considered "yelling at you"--but maybe in the Philippines, people tend to be quieter than loud Americans?

Or maybe I'm just not self-aware, and was yelling, despite me not thinking I was.

Whichever the case, it felt like yelling to you, and I feel bad now, and feel like I should apologize again, even though you said you didn't mind.  Sorry!

I agree that it is a cultural thing that Filipinos are normally much less direct than Americans, but maybe my word choice of "yelling" sounded more negative to you than I meant it to be. I certainly didn't mean for it to come across that way.

How lovely though that we can talk about it this way, though. No need to apologize, you are still Extremely Awesome in my book :D

[HappierAtHome]

There is such a thing as friendly yelling! I've been on the receiving end of that before.

[sonjak]

There is such a thing as friendly yelling! I've been on the receiving end of that before.

Me too.  It's passion and volume, not anger, as "yelling" can sometimes imply.

[Lucky Girl]

This blog and forum have put me on the overall path to FI, which I had no idea existed.  Further, its really helped my DH I think. He said about a month ago that he feels more comfortable about money than he ever has.  And he actually said to me the other day--that's expensive! about a day-trip out with the kids.  Not something he would have done two years ago!

I've also cut my clothing spend to well below half, and cut my "allowance" fund spend to 35% of what it used to be.  These are small potatoes, but I do feel like I'm helping the environment by not being a foolish consumer sucker and trying to keep up with trends.