Hello from Utah!
I'm a 33 year old single guy from the greater Salt Lake City area. I have been reading the MMM blog regularly since July of this year, although I had previously read some of the articles here and there over the past couple of years. I have also been reading a number of the ERE blogs, as well as read the ERE book(rented from the Library). I often search the internet/library/YouTube/TEDTalks for all information on FI that I can find. I generally take most information I read/view with a grain of salt and a healthy dose of skepticism, however, overall I have really enjoyed the information I've learned on the blog thus far. I am just now joining the forum portion of MMM and I look forward to learning from many of you and perhaps I'll hopefully have some value to add and share with you all as well.
Some random info about me:
-Not FI yet, not sure exactly when that will occur. I do enjoy my career that I have been with for 12 years, it does provide great benefits/pay, and it's fulfilling.
-I don't spend much aside from mortgage, utilities, insurance, and food.
-Estimate that I probably have a savings/investing rate of approximately 45-50% of my Gross income. Continually finding ways to become more efficient with spending.
-I feel quite a bit at home here, being a bit "extreme" with finances compared to most people in my life (Family, friends, coworkers, etc.) I am often referred to as cheap, which is untrue, I just don't buy things where I don't see value.
-Have also recently been intrigued by the minimalism movement as well, and I find a lot of value from it. Much of it correlates with FI.
-House wise, just refinanced from a 30 year 4.125% to a 12 year @ 2.99%. (Closing cost was ultra low -with a Credit Union). Planning on paying off early anyhow, although I've been debating on whether to invest what I would have used to pay off early in a low risk investment earning at least 2.99% so that the money isn't all tied up in the house. I see the pros and cons, so we'll see what happens there. I do live in my basement and rent out three extra rooms upstairs, so it basically pays for itself.
-One of the major cons of this lifestyle is dating...I am not sure about the rest of you singles here, but I have found dating to be rather challenging, at least in my area. I can't imagine it is much different elsewhere in the USA, however I'm curious to see how others find and meet other FI/Mustachian minded singles. Most people in the dating scene here seem completely turned off by frugality, efficient use of resources, and FI?! (I get that it's a paradigm thing, but rather frustrating nevertheless).
-No debt aside from the mortgage, and I currently drive a 1998 Honda Accord, although I have been wanting to upgrade to something a bit nicer and more functional like a used Pruis or Yaris Hatchback...although to be brutally honest, a large part of me really wants a 4Runner, for many reasons, most notably the functionality and extremely high reliability. (It's not particularly fun getting stuck in the snow/ice in the high altitude canyons of Utah). The gas mileage, environmental impact, and price tag make me ultra hesitant however. (I do still plan on buying a carrier to pull behind my bike as I do enjoy biking for fun, local travel to work, etc..).
-Love the outdoors; camping, hiking, backpacking, etc. Also love cooking healthy meals, fitness, training for Spartan races, and enjoying the simple things in life.
-I obviously have a lot to learn, so I am very glad to be here! I haven't read many of the threads yet, however it seems there are a lot of experienced Mustachians!!
Once again, I'm looking forward to learning from you all and perhaps making some new friends.