money and sex

[frugalecon]

Ok, I'm not writing about paying for IT, but rather about the fact that couples fight most about these two things, according to research I have seen. It seems like Mustachians would view sex to be almost the ideal entertainment. Inexpensive, good for health, generally a positive thing. Would be interesting to see if Mustachian marriages are generally simpatico in both of these areas.

[ender]

Are you asking for "couples where both are mustachian" or "couples with 1 and/or 2 mustachians?"

I suspect if both are mustachian, almost no disagreement on money, but if it is 1/0 there probably are significant fights regarding money (or, disagreements).

[Cathy]

... It seems like Mustachians would view sex to be almost the ideal entertainment. ...

Your premises are unstated, but, as I understand it, your argument goes like this:

1. If an activity is inexpensive or free, then every Mustachian likes that activity.
2. "Sex" is inexpensive or free.
3. Therefore, Mustachians like sex.

The flaw in the argument lies in the premise (1), which is unsound: in reality, an activity being inexpensive or free is neither necessary nor sufficient for a Mustachian to like that activity.

I've never seen any evidence suggesting that Mustachians are more likely to enjoy sex than anybody else. Just like in the general population, there will be Mustachians who profess to like sex a great deal (which they will say is purely an innate desire and not at all influenced by the popular media) and there are also Mustachians who do not plan to engage in sex under any circumstances.

[solon]

You got my attention with the title!

I'm mustachian, and I like sex. Ditto my wife. Our marriage is happy and healthy. Here's hoping your theory is correct!

[Travis]

It seems like Mustachians would view sex to be almost the ideal entertainment. Inexpensive, good for health, generally a positive thing.

And greatly influenced by physical health, mental health, religious views, interpersonal communication between partners all which in this context probably have f*ck all to do with Mustachianism.  I've had partners who found sex to be lots of fun to be done as often as possible, and others who would be deeply insulted if you called sex "entertainment."  Our views on economic frugality, consumerism, and environmental philosophies didn't even enter the conversation when it came to sex.

People with financial problems often have more difficult relationships. The reverse is not automatically true.  My wife and I haven't had a financial argument in a decade.  It does not mean we have the ideal sex life. We've had plenty of arguments about our sometimes conflicting views on that subject.

[mxt0133]

Interesting I never actually thought of sex as entertainment.  I always viewed it as a necessary part of life like drinking water. 

But you bring up some interesting points, it's good for you, keeps you healthy, but I would argue that it's not free.  I mean unless you look like Brad Pitt, most people have to work hard and spend money to attract a partner.  I'm married and although sex doesn't cost me anything right now, I did have sunk costs in dating, wedding, and honeymoon. 

[okits]

Even correct use of contraception does not have a 100% success rate.  So for some couples, sex may end up being unintentionally expensive.

OP:

Inexpensive, good for health, generally a positive thing.

If those are the criteria for most-Mustachian entertainment, going for a hike or talking about your feelings are better candidates (just don't have sex after.  ;-)

[jim555]

Child support, STDs, etc. - can be very expensive indeed.

[MrRealEstate]

... It seems like Mustachians would view sex to be almost the ideal entertainment. ...

Your premises are unstated, but, as I understand it, your argument goes like this:

1. If an activity is inexpensive or free, then every Mustachian likes that activity.
2. "Sex" is inexpensive or free.
3. Therefore, Mustachians like sex.

The flaw in the argument lies in the premise (1), which is unsound: in reality, an activity being inexpensive or free is neither necessary nor sufficient for a Mustachian to like that activity.

I've never seen any evidence suggesting that Mustachians are more likely to enjoy sex than anybody else. Just like in the general population, there will be Mustachians who profess to like sex a great deal (which they will say is purely an innate desire and not at all influenced by the popular media) and there are also Mustachians who do not plan to engage in sex under any circumstances.

You do oversimplify premise one. OP said inexpensive, good for your health, and generally a positive thing. The pool of activities shrinks with each additional requirement.

[frugalecon]

I guess what I am really curious about is whether, in a marriage, if you eliminate one big source of conflict (e.g., money), whether other sources of conflict are reduced as well. I could imagine that if you are constantly fighting about money with your spouse, your interest in physical intimacy is lessened. I was speaking a bit tongue in cheek about sex being inexpensive entertainment...as others point out, nine months after the act there can be a big shock to finances!

But also, as someone else pointed out, I am implicitly assuming that both partners are on board with the Mustachian vibe. That is probably true of many (most?) followers of Mustachian, but not all. And I suppose that a divergence between partners in that area could lead to friction in other areas, including in the physical relationship.

[KarefulKactus15]

... It seems like Mustachians would view sex to be almost the ideal entertainment. ...

Your premises are unstated, but, as I understand it, your argument goes like this:

1. If an activity is inexpensive or free, then every Mustachian likes that activity.
2. "Sex" is inexpensive or free.
3. Therefore, Mustachians like sex.

The flaw in the argument lies in the premise (1), which is unsound: in reality, an activity being inexpensive or free is neither necessary nor sufficient for a Mustachian to like that activity.

I've never seen any evidence suggesting that Mustachians are more likely to enjoy sex than anybody else. Just like in the general population, there will be Mustachians who profess to like sex a great deal (which they will say is purely an innate desire and not at all influenced by the popular media) and there are also Mustachians who do not plan to engage in sex under any circumstances.

I wish I could organize my thoughts and write like this....

[Rubyvroom]

...but I would argue that it's not free ... I'm married and although sex doesn't cost me anything right now, I did have sunk costs in dating, wedding, and honeymoon.

I lol'd.

Maybe think of it as an investment with a long-term payback period. ;)

[smedleyb]

Child support, STDs, etc. - can be very expensive indeed.

And hookers.  Never forget the hookers. 'Dem ain't cheap. 

[marty998]

Child support, STDs, etc. - can be very expensive indeed.

And hookers.  Never forget the hookers. 'Dem ain't cheap.

And you know this how prey tell?

[Socmonkey]

And hookers.  Never forget the hookers. 'Dem ain't cheap. 

Some are...

[scantee]

Interesting I never actually thought of sex as entertainment.  I always viewed it as a necessary part of life like drinking water.

Can't it be both? Food is a necessary part of life and some people treat it as such, only eating for energy and not getting much additional enjoyment from it, while others love to cook, try new foods, go out to eat, and think of food as their main hobby. Same for sex, I think.

[slugline]

I look at it as a physical form of communicating with a partner. So I guess sex can be mustachian entertainment, but so can dancing or hiking or basically having quality conversation. . . .

[GuitarStv]

You got my attention with the title!

I'm mustachian, and I like sex. Ditto my wife. Our marriage is happy and healthy. Here's hoping your theory is correct!

+1

I'd also add that mustachianism tends to lead one towards a less stressful life.  In my experience, most people enjoy sex.  Often exhaustion from the daily grind is the biggest thing that gets in the way of it.  When you remove all the common fears surrounding money you're removing what is often a big roadblock to sex.

[Villanelle]

Interesting I never actually thought of sex as entertainment.  I always viewed it as a necessary part of life like drinking water. 

But you bring up some interesting points, it's good for you, keeps you healthy, but I would argue that it's not free.  I mean unless you look like Brad Pitt, most people have to work hard and spend money to attract a partner.  I'm married and although sex doesn't cost me anything right now, I did have sunk costs in dating, wedding, and honeymoon.

Even Brad apparently needs more than just his pretty face.  A friend just posted on Facebook that his wife has filed for divorce. 

[soccerluvof4]

In that having less stress from non-working leads to more time and willingness to have more sex once fire'd. I believe that part to be true.

[mxt0133]

In that having less stress from non-working leads to more time and willingness to have more sex once fire'd. I believe that part to be true.

Invoking my best Borat impersonation.  Hi Five!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qZAlnxHPAY

[marty998]

Interesting I never actually thought of sex as entertainment.  I always viewed it as a necessary part of life like drinking water. 

But you bring up some interesting points, it's good for you, keeps you healthy, but I would argue that it's not free.  I mean unless you look like Brad Pitt, most people have to work hard and spend money to attract a partner.  I'm married and although sex doesn't cost me anything right now, I did have sunk costs in dating, wedding, and honeymoon.

Even Brad apparently needs more than just his pretty face.  A friend just posted on Facebook that his wife has filed for divorce.

She had a pretty face? Never found her that attractive. I reckon she would look better without the 3-hour-a-day makeup routine, botox injections and over zealous use of lippy.

[J Boogie]

Interesting I never actually thought of sex as entertainment.  I always viewed it as a necessary part of life like drinking water. 

But you bring up some interesting points, it's good for you, keeps you healthy, but I would argue that it's not free.  I mean unless you look like Brad Pitt, most people have to work hard and spend money to attract a partner.  I'm married and although sex doesn't cost me anything right now, I did have sunk costs in dating, wedding, and honeymoon.

Even Brad apparently needs more than just his pretty face.  A friend just posted on Facebook that his wife has filed for divorce.

She had a pretty face? Never found her that attractive. I reckon she would look better without the 3-hour-a-day makeup routine, botox injections and over zealous use of lippy.

They're saying Brad himself had a pretty face, not his former partner.