To all MMM forum users I'm new here and would like to say hello. I've recently found the MMM website via a bicycling forum that is about living car free - there was a link to the post that MMM offered about getting ready for bicycling in winter (really cool by the way - no pun intended). I love the direction MMM it is going.
I've been frugal (to some degree) for most of my life - at least more frugal than the "norm." Was debt free from June 2001 through October of 2012. I owned two homes during that time and autos etc., but now own a third home that I had to take a loan out on (20% in cash though). My plan is to sell the other two (maybe rent one) and payoff the one with a loan - and get back to debt free.
I have a good retirement plan (actually a number of "funds") that I started on when I was 24 (three decades ago) and planned on retiring at 50. However, in deciding to take on a new family I agreed (with myself) to go another 10 years full-time.
I really believe that "your money is your life" and understand how much I trade in time to have certain things that cost money. I sometimes forget about that path though, but it's sites like these - and forums like this one - that get me excited about getting back to and staying on my track.
A little about me. Healthy, happy life with a large family. Working full-time to support all - including three teens that are extraordinary, but that are also being exposed to the standard American lifestyle in more ways than I like. Not everyone in the family thinks like I do (imagine that!) about money and life, but I do live the way I think I should* and eventually at least they will understand that there are options and alternatives to the standard way of doing things. Then, it's their choice.
* For example, I believe that riding a bicycle to work is an option to consider, as is riding the bus. I do these two and drive a vehicle to work, but the mix is probably 30% bicycle, 10% bus, and 60% SOV (single occupancy vehicle - except when we van pool to meetings - I take as many as 8 at a time). This in an area (west-central Florida - USA) that normally doesn't see "executives" doing that. Sometimes I feel like Superman (or would that be Clark Kent at that point in time?) jumping into the phone booth when I arrive at the office at 7:00 am, change into my "normal" work clothes costume, and resume the life that an executive lives. But, I feel that for those that "find out" that I do things differently, they also can at least see that they have a choice, or alternative to the "norm." I dream that they think to themselves - "Hey, I've known him for many years, he's an upstanding citizen, spends much quality time with his family, he seems rational, kind, and not at all weird. Maybe there is something to what he does that I might start doing to better my life." At least I think it betters my life!
I look forward to joining in on your online conversations.
Lastly, to register you really need to jump through some hoops! I tried a bunch of different responses that would comple the phrase that was supposed to end in "Badassity." Never had it so tough!
EDIT: I now see the "Badassity" phrase right on top! Face in palm now.
Thanks all!