What do you think the racial demographics of Mustachians are?

[tmoneyearlyretiree]

I was doing research for a piece on my blog, found that three fourths of black and brown families have < $10,000 saved for retirement. 50% rely on Social Security for 90%+ of their retirement income. Another crazy stat, 20% of African American families cannot maintain the minimum $500 balance required to keep a bank account open.

Made me wonder, have you ever thought of what the racial demographics here at MMM look like? It feels overwhelmingly white and male, but I thought I would throw the question out there and see what people thought. Seems like a lot of racial injustice could be mitigated if the knowledge present here on this forum made its way to Title 1 schools.

[neophyte]

It feels overwhelmingly white and male.

I dunno about the racial makeup, but past polls have shown a female majority.

[Giro]

I was going to say the same thing....I don't "feel" anything from the posts, but I believe former polls showed a great number of females. 

[Zikoris]

I would be pretty surprised if it WASN'T majority white, simply because we know it's majority American users, followed by Canada, Australia, and Europe. Canada and the US are both something like 80% white.

Anecdotally, my real-life Mustachian group seems to be a white-Asian split, but that's probably related to Vancouver's demographics.

Like others have said, in polls there seems to be a slight female majority here.

[Zikoris]

OP, why don't you add a poll to this thread? It could be interesting.

[lizzzi]

I am half-Melosi and half-indigenous Treen, conceived in a family group of four while my womb-mother was a starship captain stationed in a solar system orbiting Alpha Centauri. They say we have some genetic material from the spider people of  Deelyva, but that has never been proven by genetic analysis. Frankly, I'm a little afraid to find out.

[misskris816]

<-- Black female, 32 years old. $450,000 current net worth. I've been more of a lurker, but have been living the mustachian lifestyle for the last 5 years.

[MrsDinero]

<-- 50% Mexican/50% Other.  Of the 50% "Other" the larger percentages is Irish and Native American (registered).

ETA:  I have made it a semi-serious life goal screw up every statics model because I also do not have a college degree and was a teen mom yet I now make 6 figures and my Net Worth is $250k.

[infogoon]

I am half-Melosi and half-indigenous Treen, conceived in a family group of four while my womb-mother was a starship captain stationed in a solar system orbiting Alpha Centauri. They say we have some genetic material from the spider people of  Deelyva, but that has never been proven by genetic analysis. Frankly, I'm a little afraid to find out.

You should go through with the analysis. There are excellent higher education scholarships available for Deelyvans as a program to compensate for years of bipedal bias in admissions.

[HPstache]

I have noticed that many of the 'frugal'-type forums I visit have a higher percentage of female users than male.  Not sure why, but it seems fairly consistent.

[Paul der Krake]

If our local meetups are any indication, 95% white.

[Zikoris]

<-- 50% Mexican/50% Other.  Of the 50% "Other" the larger percentages is Irish and Native American (registered).

ETA:  I have made it a semi-serious life goal screw up every statics model because I also do not have a college degree and was a teen mom yet I now make 6 figures and my Net Worth is $250k.

Love it! Fellow statistics-screwer-upper here. No degree/diploma/credentials of any kind, and I do low-skill-level office work (think making coffee and doing people's dishes), yet here I am in my 20s with a six figure net worth that's growing rapidly, while I somehow manage to do multiple international trips every year to Asia, Europe, etc.

[Northwestie]

<-- 50% Mexican/50% Other.  Of the 50% "Other" the larger percentages is Irish and Native American (registered).

ETA:  I have made it a semi-serious life goal screw up every statics model because I also do not have a college degree and was a teen mom yet I now make 6 figures and my Net Worth is $250k.

Love it! Fellow statistics-screwer-upper here. No degree/diploma/credentials of any kind, and I do low-skill-level office work (think making coffee and doing people's dishes), yet here I am in my 20s with a six figure net worth that's growing rapidly, while I somehow manage to do multiple international trips every year to Asia, Europe, etc.

Well just goes to show, it's not necessarily how much money you make but what you do with it!  Love it.

[tmoneyearlyretiree]

I am half-Melosi and half-indigenous Treen, conceived in a family group of four while my womb-mother was a starship captain stationed in a solar system orbiting Alpha Centauri. They say we have some genetic material from the spider people of  Deelyva, but that has never been proven by genetic analysis. Frankly, I'm a little afraid to find out.

lol, I added a poll at one of the posters suggestion. Hope I made the categories acceptable. I left off the Melosi and Treen categories due to small sample size

[Yaeger]

I'd have to agree with a lot of the posters. I'm a white male and my female friends are FAR more concerned in general with finances and investing than my male friends. It doesn't surprise me that the majority of posters here are women. In general, our society pushes a lot of family responsibility and planning onto women whereas men mistakenly value a more carefree attitude - living in the present, instant gratification, and you can start planning when you settle down.

I think it's more systemic and it's something that society desperately needs to address. I don't know if it's men losing their traditional 'provider' role in the family as society changes, lack of father figures during childhood, the education system gearing itself more toward how girls learn and away from boys, or the decline in traditional male fields of employment like mining, manufacturing, etc.

[Seppia]

I have noticed that many of the 'frugal'-type forums I visit have a higher percentage of female users than male.  Not sure why, but it seems fairly consistent.

This could be explained by a stat found in the book The Millionaire Next Door

They said the overwhelming majority of millionaire households have the following characteristics

1- married couple, married only once
2- he is the main income generator
3- she takes care more of house stuff (doesn't mean she doesn't work, but tends to work less hours at a job and put the rest in house/family management - which is also work obviously).

So it COULD be that girls of future millionaire households do home tasks, which COULD explain why they have easy access to the forum

Just speculating

[Kitsune]

I have noticed that many of the 'frugal'-type forums I visit have a higher percentage of female users than male.  Not sure why, but it seems fairly consistent.

This could be explained by a stat found in the book The Millionaire Next Door

They said the overwhelming majority of millionaire households have the following characteristics

1- married couple, married only once
2- he is the main income generator
3- she takes care more of house stuff (doesn't mean she doesn't work, but tends to work less hours at a job and put the rest in house/family management - which is also work obviously).

So it COULD be that girls of future millionaire households do home tasks, which COULD explain why they have easy access to the forum

Just speculating

Or that hime tasks include money management of the household? Because most straight households I know have the woman doing about 90% of the money management, mine included.

[Zikoris]

I thought the "societal pressure" was the other way around - isn't the "traditional" system the one where the guy handles the money? That's certainly the pattern I see most among older couples.

I deal with all the financial stuff in our relationship, along with all the other stuff that requires organizing. But that's because I have a REALLY strong preference for carefree guys who just like to relax and enjoy life, and go along with the systems I set up, so I've always sought out that type of guy. I love doing nitpicky, fiddly financial/organizing stuff, plus long and short term planning, while my boyfriend either hates or sucks at all that.

[Cellista]

I have noticed that many of the 'frugal'-type forums I visit have a higher percentage of female users than male.  Not sure why, but it seems fairly consistent.

This could be explained by a stat found in the book The Millionaire Next Door

They said the overwhelming majority of millionaire households have the following characteristics

1- married couple, married only once
2- he is the main income generator
3- she takes care more of house stuff (doesn't mean she doesn't work, but tends to work less hours at a job and put the rest in house/family management - which is also work obviously).

So it COULD be that girls of future millionaire households do home tasks, which COULD explain why they have easy access to the forum

Just speculating

Or that hime tasks include money management of the household? Because most straight households I know have the woman doing about 90% of the money management, mine included.

I'm a single female and my main motivation for financial independence is knowing I have no back up.  Plus we live longer, and never underestimate bag lady syndrome.

[Kitsune]

I have noticed that many of the 'frugal'-type forums I visit have a higher percentage of female users than male.  Not sure why, but it seems fairly consistent.

This could be explained by a stat found in the book The Millionaire Next Door

They said the overwhelming majority of millionaire households have the following characteristics

1- married couple, married only once
2- he is the main income generator
3- she takes care more of house stuff (doesn't mean she doesn't work, but tends to work less hours at a job and put the rest in house/family management - which is also work obviously).

So it COULD be that girls of future millionaire households do home tasks, which COULD explain why they have easy access to the forum

Just speculating

Or that hime tasks include money management of the household? Because most straight households I know have the woman doing about 90% of the money management, mine included.

I'm a single female and my main motivation for financial independence is knowing I have no back up.  Plus we live longer, and never underestimate bag lady syndrome.

Yeah... I think I've seen way too many women stay in relationships because "I can't afford to leave him"... I have a very deep-seated emotional need to know that, if the shit hit the fan, I could provide for myself and my kid(s).

And I say this while in a really good relationship of 8+ years. I'm not planning on leaving. But I don't want money to be the thing that makes me stay, either.

[Allen]

I am half-Melosi and half-indigenous Treen, conceived in a family group of four while my womb-mother was a starship captain stationed in a solar system orbiting Alpha Centauri. They say we have some genetic material from the spider people of  Deelyva, but that has never been proven by genetic analysis. Frankly, I'm a little afraid to find out.

Sounds like white.

[Kansas Beachbum]

I am half-Melosi and half-indigenous Treen, conceived in a family group of four while my womb-mother was a starship captain stationed in a solar system orbiting Alpha Centauri. They say we have some genetic material from the spider people of  Deelyva, but that has never been proven by genetic analysis. Frankly, I'm a little afraid to find out.

LOL, this is gold!

[RetiredAt63]

So much this.  When I left Ex-Dh, so many women friends said that they were so glad they loved their husbands and their marriages were happy, because they could not afford to leave if things were different.

And we have the "bag lady" image drummed into us - not for me, thank you.  Especially since, a month after our split, Ex-Dh told me literally that I would end up a bag lady.

Another white female here, typical since in my age group most Canadians are white (I think, couldn't find numbers by age and ethnic background).

Yeah... I think I've seen way too many women stay in relationships because "I can't afford to leave him"... I have a very deep-seated emotional need to know that, if the shit hit the fan, I could provide for myself and my kid(s).

And I say this while in a really good relationship of 8+ years. I'm not planning on leaving. But I don't want money to be the thing that makes me stay, either.

[tardis]

Mixed race, 50% white 50% other.

[ahoy]

<-- 50% Mexican/50% Other.  Of the 50% "Other" the larger percentages is Irish and Native American (registered).

ETA:  I have made it a semi-serious life goal screw up every statics model because I also do not have a college degree and was a teen mom yet I now make 6 figures and my Net Worth is $250k.

Love it! Fellow statistics-screwer-upper here. No degree/diploma/credentials of any kind, and I do low-skill-level office work (think making coffee and doing people's dishes), yet here I am in my 20s with a six figure net worth that's growing rapidly, while I somehow manage to do multiple international trips every year to Asia, Europe, etc.

Well just goes to show, it's not necessarily how much money you make but what you do with it!  Love it.

Northwestie, you took the words right out of my mouth.
Zikoris, fantastic job.  I was in office work too in my 20's.  I saved a load for my salary.

[LouLou]

I have noticed that many of the 'frugal'-type forums I visit have a higher percentage of female users than male.  Not sure why, but it seems fairly consistent.

This could be explained by a stat found in the book The Millionaire Next Door

They said the overwhelming majority of millionaire households have the following characteristics

1- married couple, married only once
2- he is the main income generator
3- she takes care more of house stuff (doesn't mean she doesn't work, but tends to work less hours at a job and put the rest in house/family management - which is also work obviously).

So it COULD be that girls of future millionaire households do home tasks, which COULD explain why they have easy access to the forum

Just speculating

Keep in mind that MND is twenty years old now.  The demographics may have changed.  Overall, marriage rates are down but the decrease is unequal.  People who are financially better off already are getting married at higher rates than people who have less:  http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/fashion/weddings/falling-marriage-rates-reveal-economic-fault-lines.html

I would assume that there are more couples where both spouses are high earners nowadays.  I would like to see some actual data because my workplace is skewed.  I work at a law firm with many female attorneys and we all make six figures.  Most female attorneys at my firm are married to or in a serious relationship men who also earn six figures.  Before, those men would have all had stay at home wives. (And the chances of this black lady becoming a lawyer at a large-for-her-market firm would have been basically impossible!)

I also have some friends who became hyper-aware of budgeting, saving, etc because they wanted to eventually stay at home with their children.

[Bertram]

Muslim and Brown here.

But i'd agree with OP that by all statistics the majority of people here are probably white. Not that it really matters though within the context of the forum.

[expatartist]

I have noticed that many of the 'frugal'-type forums I visit have a higher percentage of female users than male.  Not sure why, but it seems fairly consistent.

Funny how that works.

The mainstream perception is women are spendthrifts, though men spend more on clothes: http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2016/02/04/men_spend_more_money_and_time_on_clothes_shopping_than_women.html

[I'm a red panda]

I have noticed that many of the 'frugal'-type forums I visit have a higher percentage of female users than male.  Not sure why, but it seems fairly consistent.

Which is really strange, because posters seem to default to assuming everyone is male. (As opposed to, say a knitting forum I frequent, where the default is to assume someone is female unless they say otherwise.)

[GuitarStv]

Well, so far the survey results are panning out pretty much exactly the way that I suspected they would.

[davisgang90]

Well, so far the survey results are panning out pretty much exactly the way that I suspected they would.

I didn't see a xenomorph option, so what did you pick Steve?

[GuitarStv]

My carapace is black.

[davisgang90]

My carapace is black.

The preferred nomenclature is carapace of color.

[GuitarStv]

My carapace is black.

The preferred nomenclature is carapace of color.

Well that's just confusing.  Black is the absence of colour.  If you want to be politically correct wouldn't it be 'carapace of no colour'?

[Warlord1986]

My race is fae. I am any color I wish to be, and I have wings.

[mozar]

50% black, 50% white, 100% Jewish, but put black because of the one drop rule...

[RetiredAt63]

I get sex-changed regularly around here - including this morning.  This despite a similar poll a few years ago where forum members were >50% women.  Does this mean I have a "masculine" writing style? 

Ravelry?  Love/love/love Ravelry.

I have noticed that many of the 'frugal'-type forums I visit have a higher percentage of female users than male.  Not sure why, but it seems fairly consistent.

Which is really strange, because posters seem to default to assuming everyone is male. (As opposed to, say a knitting forum I frequent, where the default is to assume someone is female unless they say otherwise.)

[I'm a red panda]

Black is the absence of colour. 

Only if you are talking about light.  In pigment, black is a mixture of the colors.

[I'm a red panda]

I get sex-changed regularly around here - including this morning.  This despite a similar poll a few years ago where forum members were >50% women.  Does this mean I have a "masculine" writing style? 

Ravelry?  Love/love/love Ravelry.

Of course ravelry! :)

I am frequently referred to as a man here.

[cube.37]

I'd be interested in seeing the racial demographics of US + Canada combined into one stat. I'm guessing the majority of posters are from one of the two countries, so we could compare the site racial diversity stat with that of the larger population.

[MrMoogle]

I'd be interested in seeing the racial demographics of US + Canada combined into one stat. I'm guessing the majority of posters are from one of the two countries, so we could compare the site racial diversity stat with that of the larger population.

I would not be surprised if it was close to the diversity of US + Canada. 

[Kaybee]

<-- Black female, 32 years old. $450,000 current net worth. I've been more of a lurker, but have been living the mustachian lifestyle for the last 5 years.

I had to do a doubletake when I saw your handle.  I used to be misskris81 on various forums. :)

[freeazabird]

I'm gonna take a stab at answering your question.....maybe I'm right or wrong? But I suspect the racial makeup of Mustachians is 100% human. I leave room for the possibility I could be wrong though.

[MrMoogle]

I'm gonna take a stab at answering your question.....maybe I'm right or wrong? But I suspect the racial makeup of Mustachians is 100% human. I leave room for the possibility I could be wrong though.

You never know about AI, ET or dolphins...

[andy85]

I'm gonna take a stab at answering your question.....maybe I'm right or wrong? But I suspect the racial makeup of Mustachians is 100% human. I leave room for the possibility I could be wrong though.

You are clearly not aware of the abundance of cat selfies on the forum.

says the monkey with a monkey selfie....

[lostamonkey]

I'd be interested in seeing the racial demographics of US + Canada combined into one stat. I'm guessing the majority of posters are from one of the two countries, so we could compare the site racial diversity stat with that of the larger population.

These stats are from 2011 and both countries have become more diverse since then. It seems like Whites and Asians are over represented among Mustachians while Blacks are under represented.

[RetiredAt63]

Ravelry is the greatest place on the web, IMHO.

And Iowasjes sounds masculine?  I saw jes and guessed maybe a jessica tucked in there?  I joined early enough that I was careful to pick a gender-neutral name, RetiredAt63 shows age but not gender.

Maybe we should all put an "a" at the end of our names?  Not serious, but weird how the default is male in a +50% female forum (according to polls, I have no idea if this is true).  Let's change the system, everyone is "she/her" unless the name confirms otherwise.  I've seen "hir" on more careful sites, but not sure that would work well here.

I get sex-changed regularly around here - including this morning.  This despite a similar poll a few years ago where forum members were >50% women.  Does this mean I have a "masculine" writing style? 

Ravelry?  Love/love/love Ravelry.

Of course ravelry! :)

I am frequently referred to as a man here.

[andy85]

I'm gonna take a stab at answering your question.....maybe I'm right or wrong? But I suspect the racial makeup of Mustachians is 100% human. I leave room for the possibility I could be wrong though.

You are clearly not aware of the abundance of cat selfies on the forum.

says the monkey with a monkey selfie....

I am offended. I don't do selfies. That is a professional modeling shot from my Jenga print campaign.

Don't lie...that is you working the pole at Club Primate. I'm fully aware of your smutness. But if by modeling you meant "modeling"...then yea, i guess i can buy that.

(please know im being super sarcastic :) )

[Paul der Krake]

I'm gonna take a stab at answering your question.....maybe I'm right or wrong? But I suspect the racial makeup of Mustachians is 100% human. I leave room for the possibility I could be wrong though.

You never know about AI, ET or dolphins...

As the resident octopus of this forum,

*bubble noises*

[CheapskateWife]

I'm gonna take a stab at answering your question.....maybe I'm right or wrong? But I suspect the racial makeup of Mustachians is 100% human. I leave room for the possibility I could be wrong though.

You never know about AI, ET or dolphins...

As the resident octopus of this forum,

*bubble noises*

I didn't know about Paul until you posted the link...for some reason you made me think of this guy....