Hi all.
Like many posters, long time lurker 1st time poster. We are in our early 50s and live, as you may guess from my username, in Ireland. Over the past few years we have endured a recession, huge public sector cuts and, in our own case, large pay cuts in our public service salaries. In addition, our buy to let is not making money, but at least the rent more than covers the interest and so, it's actively contributing to the saving that is the payback of principal. Two of our three kids have finished college and we have only a student loan on one and we can clear that any time we choose. So, all is not bad. We are happy, healthy(ish) have no debt other than the mortgages which we can service and a small car loan that is optional really, just keep it for the insurance that comes with it.
We have had anti-mustachian habits in he past but it never got too far out of hand. We wasted money on caravans, motorhomes etc but we had great holidays with the kids and don't really regret that except for the depreciation! Nowadays, I have to fight my inclination to upgrade the car (we have 2 but my wife adores her 2013 car and I wouldn't begrudge her that). Mine is 4 years old and should last a while longer. [whack-1st face punch]We also love to travel and we cruise as well as land vacation in Europe. I don't believe I will change that because that is what I look forward to most![whack-2nd face punch-ow!]
Anyway, in most other ways we exercise restraint and while not exactly mustachianism, we try to come close. We now lunch mostly at home, saving a lot on eating out in town most days. I have discovered the paleo diet through MMM and am trying to adhere to that. We mostly shop in discount stores, large German grocery chains. They sell rolled oats and bourbon quite cheaply! I don't eat them together!!
Pensions - as we are government employees, we will get defined benefit pensions at 60 yrs, 6.5 years for me and 9.5 for herself. So, we don't have 401s but I calculate my own pension fund value at about €.9million based on 4% withdrawal but of course it will diminish to 50% when I die and vice versa. My wife's is about €.7m. We can't access this or make decisions on investment etc.
So, we have to work a few years more, maybe 4 in my case as there is some scope for early retirement. We will still travel but will try to minimise expenses as much as possible in other areas.
Love the MMM site and check everyday. Keep it up.
Irishtache.