Author Topic: Is there a written MMM Credo or Commandments?  (Read 3806 times)

mb196

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Is there a written MMM Credo or Commandments?
« on: December 23, 2016, 08:33:56 AM »
Is there such a post or thread as an MMM Credo or a set of Commandments or "Best Practices" for Mustachians ?

There's so much knowledge in this forum and in all the MMM posts, but at the end of the day, it comes down to a number of precepts.   After all, Personal Finance knowledge is finite.

For example, a commandment I follow closely is "Wear things out, specially clothing, but not if it interferes with image required at work".....or never buy a brand new car.....or don't spend more than $100 on a watch....practice stealth wealth.

As I write these, I think of the books the Millionaire Next door and "Stop Acting Rich".   I also think of frugality in general, but Mustachianism is more than just frugality.   Someone help me out here.


ender

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Re: Is there a written MMM Credo or Commandments?
« Reply #1 on: December 23, 2016, 08:38:58 AM »
Quote
don't buy shit you don't need

Pretty much sums it up.

WackyTomato

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Re: Is there a written MMM Credo or Commandments?
« Reply #2 on: December 23, 2016, 08:47:46 AM »
"don't buy shit you don't need" is a start.  However, being good with money goes beyond that.


swick

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Re: Is there a written MMM Credo or Commandments?
« Reply #3 on: December 23, 2016, 08:48:18 AM »
Yes, it is super secret and only the elite mustachians have access to it after swearing a blood oath and sacrificing a consumer...

ermmm... this post (and the list it contains) is probably as close as I have seen, although ARS might have some more insights. It is the post that stuck out the most for me and I have used for inspiration: http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/11/11/get-rich-with-the-position-of-strength/

 The list:

So let us browse through a few of life’s most powerful sources of strength to soak up its amazing connection just about everything:

Money is the most acknowledged source of strength in modern society, for it gives you the power to get other people to serve you, and to do so with a smile.

An Abundance of Money is even more powerful, because you no longer find yourself feeling the need to act like a weenie in the pursuit of more of it. With this Abundance power, you can properly align your earning and your spending with your values, rather than just seeking out the cheapest option or trying to squeeze more money out of your customers, employees, or fellow citizens.

The Desire for Ever-Increasing Material Luxury is therefore a serious weakness. In the playground of life, there is a giant teeter totter. Mr. Abundance sits at one end of it, with his casually ripped physique, faded skateboarding shirt and scruffy facial hair. Mr. Luxury sits directly opposite him, clean-shaven in a 3-piece suit with those shiny pointy-toed business shoes and a rounded little beer belly tucked in behind a tight belt. You can never satisfy Luxury – there is always another level of fanciness to attain, and thus he can never have quite enough money.

Giving is a form of strength. When you say, “I have more than I need, and thus my desire to take should fade away as my desire to help out grows”.

Taking is therefore a form of weakness. On the playground, Luxury maintains just a little more desire to take,  which competes with his desire to give. Meanwhile, Mr. Abundance is always working on needing less. The “taking” weakness continues to shrink, allowing him to invest more in his “giving” strength.

Health is a form of strength. With health comes a clearer mind, more energy, a greater range of options and comfort zones, and a longer time alive to enjoy the offerings and mysteries of this planet. Life can dish you a blow, and you can get up and get back to work.

Physical Strength is the part of health that is mostly ignored in the United States, yet it is the most useful and efficient component. Sure, aerobics and bicycling can keep the worst effects of early decay at bay, but lifting heavy old-fashioned barbells and dumbells is a much faster and more thorough way to keep all of your systems in working order and create a foundation for the rest of your life’s strength.

Skills are a form of strength. Each thing you learn to do improves your quality of life in astonishing ways, because it makes you stronger. If you are good at your job, you have the ability to earn lots money. But if this is your only skill, you need to outsource your food preparation, transportation, relationships, entertainment, and the repair and maintenance of everything you own including your own body. If your money supply fails or your hired specialists don’t do their jobs perfectly, your life falters. By insourcing all the basics required for happiness, you build a self-reinforcing resilient mesh of power that makes you happier, wealthier, and more interesting as well.


desk_jockey

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Re: Is there a written MMM Credo or Commandments?
« Reply #4 on: December 23, 2016, 09:07:06 AM »
Don't keep up with the Jones; don't compare yourself to others.  Comparison is the path to the dark side. Comparison leads to spending. Spending leads to debt. Debt leads to suffering.

mb196

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Re: Is there a written MMM Credo or Commandments?
« Reply #5 on: December 23, 2016, 09:28:08 AM »
Swick, thanks for that and for the other snippets others posted.  But that is not what I mean.    I mean a reference manual, a compendium on the different Personal Finance subjects.   In my mind, it could look like a tree with hyperlinks.  As you click on a keyword (area) it either summarizes a Mustachian's position in one sentence or a paragraph or breaks down into sub-topics.    This could be an idea for a book, or a Wiki.   It needs an editor and many people contributing to it, but not in a series of loose posts.

One can make the case that all these references and all this knowledge is already in these forums, but I'm taking about an edited extract, organized by subject.   This can also cut down on the number of repeat topics we see on the many forums.

swick

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Re: Is there a written MMM Credo or Commandments?
« Reply #6 on: December 23, 2016, 09:41:15 AM »
One can make the case that all these references and all this knowledge is already in these forums, but I'm taking about an edited extract, organized by subject.   This can also cut down on the number of repeat topics we see on the many forums.

To my knowledge, there is not, but we are A DIY community, so if you want to start one, go for it!

The tricky part is "Who" has the definitive on what a mustachian is. Also, a dictionary definition for such a vast concept would be pretty hard to nail down. I don't know that it would really help too much with the repeat in forum topics. Everyone's situation is slightly different and we all think we are special unique snowflakes. I'm sure many people would find it very useful though. There is also the idea that you learn from other's questions and feedback.

It would be super cool to see something like this, but how it would end up working, and who would put it together would be an interesting challenge.


desk_jockey

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Re: Is there a written MMM Credo or Commandments?
« Reply #7 on: December 23, 2016, 09:56:31 AM »
The tricky part is "Who" has the definitive on what a mustachian is. 

And this is exactly how all religions begin to split.  One day we will have the Northern Conservative Church of Mustachianism Great Lakes Region Council of 1912.

Kidding aside, feel free to try to document the collective wisdom gathered here in an abbreviated version.  If you do it in the forums or in a wiki then you’ll probably find others to help you refine the tenets. 
« Last Edit: December 23, 2016, 09:58:53 AM by desk_jockey »

Shor

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Re: Is there a written MMM Credo or Commandments?
« Reply #8 on: December 23, 2016, 10:15:44 AM »
The tricky part is "Who" has the definitive on what a mustachian is. 

And this is exactly how all religions begin to split.  One day we will have the Northern Conservative Church of Mustachianism Great Lakes Region Council of 1912.
Where's that topic with the sacred MMM golden calves?
This is the guideline to become a true inner Mustachian, following on the path of the great MMM before his treacherous fall to the demonic workings of money, luxury and consumerism!
Don't let these heathens sway you (We like to call them softies *snicker*!)
There has only ever been one true MMM, and even he has since fallen to the corrupt powers that plague our kind!
« Last Edit: December 23, 2016, 11:18:04 AM by Shor »

desk_jockey

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Re: Is there a written MMM Credo or Commandments?
« Reply #9 on: December 23, 2016, 10:26:34 AM »

Eric

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Re: Is there a written MMM Credo or Commandments?
« Reply #10 on: December 23, 2016, 12:05:16 PM »
Ride your bike!

mb196

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Re: Is there a written MMM Credo or Commandments?
« Reply #11 on: December 23, 2016, 12:15:27 PM »
Thanks for posting the Sacred Cows link, basically a great beginning for what I'm envisioning.  But to paraphrase user Arebelspy on that thread, "Many of the items are tongue-in-cheek and absolutes so as to be over the top."

My idea is for something serious.  A true referenced manual for those users who don't want to engage in creating a thread and interacting with others.   For people "fresh off the boat" who want an idea of buying a car or mutual funds investing or what to do with an inheritance.

I think the "Who" is not a problem because anyone of us can edit it and we can use the Wikipedia concept of self editing.   Another problem I see is where to place it.   The website www.wikia.com offers free Wikis but taking it out of this forum will require a new set of credentials and having to leave the forum and come back to it, which will be a nuisance to many.

The ideal thing would be for this forum to provide a Wiki section so that same users can create and contribute to it.
« Last Edit: February 08, 2021, 08:46:27 AM by mb196 »

marty998

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Re: Is there a written MMM Credo or Commandments?
« Reply #12 on: December 23, 2016, 02:29:13 PM »
The "zero to hero in one blog post" links to all the major/popular MMM blog posts.

That one should keep you busy.

Travis

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Re: Is there a written MMM Credo or Commandments?
« Reply #13 on: December 23, 2016, 07:16:55 PM »
His recent TED-style discussion might be the closest he's come to a manifesto, and there was a blog post this year where he pretty much said he's more concerned with the societal and conservation benefits of Mustachianism rather than specifically improving everyone's retirement prospects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfKaLQkTZfQ
« Last Edit: December 23, 2016, 07:56:23 PM by Travis »

 

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