What makes you "officially" Mustachian?

[babysnowbyrd]

I think some things that could make me a Mustachian are my goals, and my reluctance to spend money on "consumer stuff."

BUT, I have little savings, a negative net worth, CC Debt, student loans, drive a car, etc.

I mean, I'm working on the debts, and the driving thing is as good as I can make it at the moment but could I be considered Mustachian because of my new habits? Or am I not a REAL Mustachian until I have no debts, bike everywhere, and invest in Vanguard funds?

[swick]

I think some things that could make me a Mustachian are my goals, and my reluctance to spend money on "consumer stuff."

BUT, I have little savings, a negative net worth, CC Debt, student loans, drive a car, etc.

I mean, I'm working on the debts, and the driving thing is as good as I can make it at the moment but could I be considered Mustachian because of my new habits? Or am I not a REAL Mustachian until I have no debts, bike everywhere, and invest in Vanguard funds?

I don't mean to sound harsh, babysnowbyrd - but between this and a few of your other posts I get the impression that you are overly concerned with labeling things and "measuring up." Every single person on the forum, or who consider themselves to "be mustachian" has a completely different set of circumstances and life issues that they are dealing with. Using benchmarks as "riding a bike" or "having no debt" are essentially meaningless.

Take the example of comparing on grocery spending - some people live in a higher cost of living area, some people are dealing with medical issues and food allergies, some people really love to cook and that is their hobby and source of entertainment. All of these people will have higher food bills. Does that make them a failure? No.

Some people take on debt or don't pay off their SL right away because they can make more in the stock market or in real estate.  They have debt, does that make them anti-mustachian?  No.

We purposely bought way more house then we need - with a complete suite in the bottom because we can rent it out (and it pays most of our mortgage) and have the space in case we need to support our aging parents at some point. Does having a big house make us un-musatchian? I don't think so. If someone looked at our house not knowing anything else about us, they would think we are horribly wasteful consumers.

There is no check off list that says if you don't do x, y, and z you can't be in the club. What is "Mustachian" will vary from person to person. For me it is more a state of mind, living consciously and doing the best we can. I can learn from others and be inspired to do better, use the community to hold myself accountable and gain new ideas I hadn't considered before -  but I am not going to live my life dictated by what some other people on the internet are doing and think is best for me.

Many people on the forums have very strong opinions on what is right/wrong mustachian or not mustachian. They are coming at it from their situation and world view though, which may or may not be right and in alinement with your world view. That's what makes the forums so great (and yes, sometimes causes some issues) Take what is right for you. At the end of the day, the only person who can decide if you are a "REAL Mustachian" or not - is you.

[trailrated]

I spent $500 on the official MMM lapel pin, I think that is about as official as it gets ;)

I think as long as you are actively working on making your life better financially, health wise, with personal relationships, ect. you can consider yourself one.

[OutBy40]

There is no official definition in my humble opinion.  It's like asking someone "What makes you officially a fitness fanatic?"  Is it going to the gym 6 days a week?  Maybe 7?  Or, is it bench pressing 200 pounds and squatting 400?  No one can answer that question because the Mustachian lifestyle is an art as much as it is a science.

In other words, there isn't some equation that can be solved to determine the supposed "Mustachian threshold". 

Personally, I am a Mustachian because I decided last year to save every extra penny that I can and retire by 40 (I'm currently 33).

[babysnowbyrd]

What is "Mustachian" will vary from person to person. For me it is more a state of mind, living consciously and doing the best we can. I can learn from others and be inspired to do better, use the community to hold myself accountable and gain new ideas I hadn't considered before -  but I am not going to live my life dictated by what some other people on the internet are doing and think is best for me.

Many people on the forums have very strong opinions on what is right/wrong mustachian or not mustachian. They are coming at it from their situation and world view though, which may or may not be right and in alinement with your world view. That's what makes the forums so great (and yes, sometimes causes some issues) Take what is right for you. At the end of the day, the only person who can decide if you are a "REAL Mustachian" or not - is you.

Wonderfully thought-out answer, and I don't think you were being harsh. Thanks for the observation!

I spent $500 on the official MMM lapel pin, I think that is about as official as it gets ;)

^ Lol.

Personally, I am a Mustachian because I decided last year to save every extra penny that I can and retire by 40 (I'm currently 33).

Awesome! I hope I can at 40 too!

[lostamonkey]

I think a Mustachian is simply someone who reads the blog regularly and tries to implement MMM's tips to their own life. There are going to be Mustachians that are on the verge of bankruptcy due to past mistakes and Mustachians who are living a luxurious FIRE.

[Flyingkea]

I think a mustachian is someone who has read the blog, and is using some of its ideas to improve their lives.

[Retired To Win]

I think I am an "official" Mustachian because of the mindset I practice, and which is encapsulated in my blog's tagline:
To Make The Most of My Time and My Money.

[chuckaluck]

[/quote]

I don't mean to sound harsh, babysnowbyrd - but between this and a few of your other posts I get the impression that you are overly concerned with labeling things and "measuring up." Every single person on the forum, or who consider themselves to "be mustachian" has a completely different set of circumstances and life issues that they are dealing with. Using benchmarks as "riding a bike" or "having no debt" are essentially meaningless.

Take the example of comparing on grocery spending - some people live in a higher cost of living area, some people are dealing with medical issues and food allergies, some people really love to cook and that is their hobby and source of entertainment. All of these people will have higher food bills. Does that make them a failure? No.

Some people take on debt or don't pay off their SL right away because they can make more in the stock market or in real estate.  They have debt, does that make them anti-mustachian?  No.

We purposely bought way more house then we need - with a complete suite in the bottom because we can rent it out (and it pays most of our mortgage) and have the space in case we need to support our aging parents at some point. Does having a big house make us un-musatchian? I don't think so. If someone looked at our house not knowing anything else about us, they would think we are horribly wasteful consumers.

There is no check off list that says if you don't do x, y, and z you can't be in the club. What is "Mustachian" will vary from person to person. For me it is more a state of mind, living consciously and doing the best we can. I can learn from others and be inspired to do better, use the community to hold myself accountable and gain new ideas I hadn't considered before -  but I am not going to live my life dictated by what some other people on the internet are doing and think is best for me.

Many people on the forums have very strong opinions on what is right/wrong mustachian or not mustachian. They are coming at it from their situation and world view though, which may or may not be right and in alinement with your world view. That's what makes the forums so great (and yes, sometimes causes some issues) Take what is right for you. At the end of the day, the only person who can decide if you are a "REAL Mustachian" or not - is you.
[/quote]

I have always thought of the question that babysnowbyrd asked.  I wished I could have answered it as well and thoughtfully as you had, Swick.  Wow.   Great insights.

[2ndTimer]

I spent $500 on the official MMM lapel pin, I think that is about as official as it gets ;)

I think as long as you are actively working on making your life better financially, health wise, with personal relationships, ect. you can consider yourself one.

I sneer at your $500 lapel pin.  I have the $1000 gold lapel pin.  Chicks swoon when they see it which is amazing considering I am a fat, little, old lady.

[Davids]

You are mustachian when you start looking at items and saying how unmustachian or antimustachian they are.

[lifejoy]

I spent $500 on the official MMM lapel pin, I think that is about as official as it gets ;)

I think as long as you are actively working on making your life better financially, health wise, with personal relationships, ect. you can consider yourself one.

I got my lapel pin second-hand for $250... So I got ya beat ;)

[Paul der Krake]

I spent $500 on the official MMM lapel pin, I think that is about as official as it gets ;)

I think as long as you are actively working on making your life better financially, health wise, with personal relationships, ect. you can consider yourself one.

I got my lapel pin second-hand for $250... So I got ya beat ;)

I started a side hustle that sells second hand pins on Etsy for $250...

[2ndTimer]

I spent $500 on the official MMM lapel pin, I think that is about as official as it gets ;)

I think as long as you are actively working on making your life better financially, health wise, with personal relationships, ect. you can consider yourself one.

I got my lapel pin second-hand for $250... So I got ya beat ;)

I started a side hustle that sells second hand pins on Etsy for $250...

I found a lapel pin on the street and converted it into a crucial part to make my Honda Civic run on nitrogen. 

[Sunnymo]

I spent $500 on the official MMM lapel pin, I think that is about as official as it gets ;)

I think as long as you are actively working on making your life better financially, health wise, with personal relationships, ect. you can consider yourself one.

I got my lapel pin second-hand for $250... So I got ya beat ;)

I started a side hustle that sells second hand pins on Etsy for $250...

I found a lapel pin on the street and converted it into a crucial part to make my Honda Civic run on nitrogen.

And we have a winner!

[aschmidt2930]

There's no set criteria. Figure out what you want, organize your life to put yourself on track to hit your goals, and that's it.

[innerscorecard]

I don't see why this has to be so hard.

You are Mustachian if you wish to be financially independent and live your life efficiently, reducing unnecessary desires and trying to do as much as possible yourself, to obtain this financial independence.

[Dicey]

Dunno, I just am. Perhaps it's because I have natural immunity to shiny things like lapel pins. Being FIRE'd, I hardly ever wear anything with lapels...

[marketnonsenses]

I got a tattoo of a mustache under my real mustache. I did the tattoo myself to save money and have a mustache to save on the cost of razors.

[terran]

Wait, you guys are serious about spending more than $250 on a lapel pin? Gosh, where is this world going on... I don't really understand what is so amazing in getting a gold pin that costs a fortune. I mean it's just a pin just for fun, yeah? Ok, this way you can't tell that you are "mustachians" at all. I also have a lapel and enamel pin, and they look great but they cost under $20.)) If you want to make economics you should make it also on your hobbies. You can get some [URL]  almost for free and consider yourself a "mustachian".

lol... spammer resurrects 5 year old thread to ask if people who are clearly joking about a ridiculous purchase are being serious and then posts a link to a site where they can make the ridiculous purchase. Bonus points for creativity, I guess.

[Frankies Girl]

@Malkynn  and @terran

If you get a chance to come back and edit out the spam link from the quote in your own posts, the mods don't generally do that when they remove the spam.

I generally remove my whole post/callout. I didn't do one this time til now as there's been some rather snarky comments when I point out "hey, that's a spammer"  :(

[MOD NOTE: Yes, please.  Do this.  Save me some time]

[Metalcat]

Done, just deleted my post, but that was some funny spam.

[terran]

@Malkynn  and @terran

If you get a chance to come back and edit out the spam link from the quote in your own posts, the mods don't generally do that when they remove the spam.

I generally remove my whole post/callout. I didn't do one this time til now as there's been some rather snarky comments when I point out "hey, that's a spammer"  :(

[MOD NOTE: Yes, please.  Do this.  Save me some time]

Good suggestion. Looks like the mods can/did edit out the URL, but I actually had already edited the URL to be something like https://not-going-to-leave-the-spammers-url.com/, so it wouldn't have helped the spammer anyway.

[Villanelle]

What makes you officially a "good person"?

My definition is going to be different than yours.  There's no list, and no agreed upon definition.  It isn't an "official" thing.  You decide what it means, whether it is important to you, and if you are doing the things required (even if you are doing them perfectly or incompletely or partially). 

That's it. 

In other words, don't ask us, ask your self--both what it means and whether you are doing enough to qualify.  And whether it even matters. 

Am I a mustachian?  I suppose so, but I also don't care.  I'm good with my finances and my goals and my investing habits and my choices.  I'm good with my life, so it doesn't even matter if I am or am not a mustachian. 

[Zikoris]

According to the men himself: https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/05/07/what-do-you-mean-you-dont-have-a-bike/

And I quote:

Mustachianism has many facets.  It’s a lifestyle and a fake religion all in one. And it is packed with an unlimited number of deep and interesting nuances, which is why you and I still have something to talk about after 13 months of this blog’s existence and 224 published articles.

But if I had to strip it down as far as possible, down to just one single action, and I wasn’t allowed to talk about anything else, the choice would still be simple: “Ride a Bike”.

He goes on to elaborate the importance of muscle-powered transportation. So it seems pretty obvious to me the the minimum baseline for "Mustachian" would be zero/low car usage, and definitely no daily car usage. I would go out on a limb and also include people who aren't there yet but are making active, measurable progress towards that, such as a person who currently drives to work but is sending out job applications daily to find something more sensible. Or someone who is currently in the process of selling their home to move somewhere better.

[Paul der Krake]

Cool 2105 thread, glad you guys found it

[Bloop Bloop]

I think the "ride a bike" advice might be well-meaning but it doesn't apply to many situations. In my city the majority of people live more than 10km away from their work and only the inner suburbs (which are expensive to live in) have well-thought out bike paths and bike lanes. For anyone living in the middle and outer suburbs, it would be silly to ride a bike to work. Doable, but it would require a lot of effort.

Humans only have a finite reservoir of effort. Riding a bike is appropriate for some but not all situations. Not to mention that anyone with an injury, back condition, visual/hearing conditions or other ailments would have to avoid riding a bike, and avoid doing a lot of the "DIY" stuff that MMM espouses.

I don't really care what MMM posts about - I use these forums to talk to smart and conscientious people. As far as I can tell, the best policy is to try to be considered, conscientious and careful about what you really want from life. It calls for self-compassion.

A lot of what MMM talks about, e.g. face-punching, goes against some of the above. That's because his aim is to get clicks and to get hits.


"such as a person who currently drives to work but is sending out job applications daily to find something more sensible. Or someone who is currently in the process of selling their home to move somewhere better."

There are a lot of older workers for whom this is not possible. My partner's parent works in manufacturing and there is no way he is going to take public transport out to the factory site where he works. Or ride a bike 20km every day when he's got a dodgy back. There is nothing more sensible. Factory work is rapidly closing down as it is. There is no sense uprooting to move somewhere better, particularly when house prices have risen about 3x since he bought (and paid off) his modest home.

MMM tenets work well for privileged young people. Not so well for others.

[Villanelle]

Ah, I missed the thread date.  Damn.   

[Zikoris]

I think the "ride a bike" advice might be well-meaning but it doesn't apply to many situations. In my city the majority of people live more than 10km away from their work and only the inner suburbs (which are expensive to live in) have well-thought out bike paths and bike lanes. For anyone living in the middle and outer suburbs, it would be silly to ride a bike to work. Doable, but it would require a lot of effort.

Pretty sure MMM would say a person in that situation should take steps to fix it, not just throw up their hands and say "I guess I'll just drive everywhere and kill us all with my overconsumption".

Humans only have a finite reservoir of effort. Riding a bike is appropriate for some but not all situations. Not to mention that anyone with an injury, back condition, visual/hearing conditions or other ailments would have to avoid riding a bike, and avoid doing a lot of the "DIY" stuff that MMM espouses.

Very true. That doesn't change reality - a person would need to do MMM-style things to be Mustachian. It's not like being a non-mustachian is some sort of mark of shame. My vision isn't great, so I don't get to call myself Eagle Eye Zikoris.

"such as a person who currently drives to work but is sending out job applications daily to find something more sensible. Or someone who is currently in the process of selling their home to move somewhere better."

There are a lot of older workers for whom this is not possible. My partner's parent works in manufacturing and there is no way he is going to take public transport out to the factory site where he works. Or ride a bike 20km every day when he's got a dodgy back. There is nothing more sensible. Factory work is rapidly closing down as it is. There is no sense uprooting to move somewhere better, particularly when house prices have risen about 3x since he bought (and paid off) his modest home.

And it sounds like your partner's parents aren't Mustachian, and have zero interest in that, based on a lifetime of making un-mustachian decisions (career choices, housing choices, and financial choices). Again, it's not some horrible sin to not be Mustachian. If it doesn't work for you, don't do it. But, like, words have meaning. If a person says they're vegan because they love animals, but they eat a steak every night for dinner, they're just wrong, no matter what the reasons behind it are, they're simply not a vegan.

[Bloop Bloop]

If you want to restrict Mustachianism to only able-bodied, fit, urban people with above average prospects and mobility in the workforce, then you can do that - somehow I feel like such a restrictive grouping does nothing to foster discussion or to take in the broader points of what conscientious living means.

[Zikoris]

If you want to restrict Mustachianism to only able-bodied, fit, urban people with above average prospects and mobility in the workforce, then you can do that - somehow I feel like such a restrictive grouping does nothing to foster discussion or to take in the broader points of what conscientious living means.

Fair enough. I don't see any value in watering down definitions to make people feel good. It's not like there's a rule saying you have to be a mustachian to be conscientious and discuss money. Just like there's no rule that says you have to be vegan to discuss the health benefits of reducing meat - you can do all that you like, but if you're chowing down on steak, you're just simply not vegan.

[Buffaloski Boris]

I view the basics as being conscientious about consumption and striving towards financial freedom (through badassity).

Truth be told, I’m not here because of Mustachianism. I’m here for the intensely bright people who share an appreciation for financial success and who constantly challenge me and make me think differently. And there are the few prisses and prigs who spice it up a bit.

I don’t much read what Pete has to say these days. Some of his stuff is just awesome and if I hear of something new and notable, I’ll read it. The stuff Brad and Jonathan put out over at Choose FI is more to my taste though.

So I Need to ride a bike to work to be considered Mustachian? In my town, that could also be considered suicidal.

[Dicey]

@Malkynn  and @terran

If you get a chance to come back and edit out the spam link from the quote in your own posts, the mods don't generally do that when they remove the spam.

I generally remove my whole post/callout. I didn't do one this time til now as there's been some rather snarky comments when I point out "hey, that's a spammer"  :(

[MOD NOTE: Yes, please.  Do this.  Save me some time]

I would never snark you for calling out a spammer!  There's been a real rash of shit being floated lately and I am grateful for your vigilance  @Frankies Girl . I am also glad you still hang out here, imparting your wisdom so long Past FIRE. I remember how miserable you were and it makes me happy to see posts from you. You are one wise woman!

[Frankies Girl]

@Malkynn  and @terran

If you get a chance to come back and edit out the spam link from the quote in your own posts, the mods don't generally do that when they remove the spam.

I generally remove my whole post/callout. I didn't do one this time til now as there's been some rather snarky comments when I point out "hey, that's a spammer"  :(

[MOD NOTE: Yes, please.  Do this.  Save me some time]

I would never snark you for calling out a spammer!  There's been a real rash of shit being floated lately and I am grateful for your vigilance  @Frankies Girl . I am also glad you still hang out here, imparting your wisdom so long Past FIRE. I remember how miserable you were and it makes me happy to see posts from you. You are one wise woman!

Awww. thank you!

You are one wise woman!

And so are you!

[ender]

I think having a profile with 5k+ posts on the MMM forum probably makes me officially a Mustachian.

[Sailor Sam]

It might be old, but there’s a whole new generation to enjoy it.

I’m not a mustachian. I’m the very person the zealots decry for watering this place down, with my jeep and my commute and the barrels of oil my other ride burns per day. I buy moist bum-wipes for my hemorrhoids, for fuck sake. The voluntary discomfort of regular toilet paper just ain’t gonna do it for me.

Yet, I spend about $30,000 per year from a $130,000 salary. I happily in someone else’s basement. I contribute five figure to charity every year. Where the fuck else am I going to hang out?

[Davnasty]

It might be old, but there’s a whole new generation to enjoy it.

I’m not a mustachian. I’m the very person the zealots decry for watering this place down, with my jeep and my commute and the barrels of oil my other ride burns per day. I buy moist bum-wipes for my hemorrhoids, for fuck sake. The voluntary discomfort of regular toilet paper just ain’t gonna do it for me.

Yet, I spend about $30,000 per year from a $130,000 salary. I happily in someone else’s basement. I contribute five figure to charity every year. Where the fuck else am I going to hang out?

I don't think you're watering it down if you admit it's not a mustachian choice. It's the poster who defends their choice as mustachian because they only have one jeep and they got a good financing rate that cause trouble :)

[Buffaloski Boris]

I

It might be old, but there’s a whole new generation to enjoy it.

I’m not a mustachian. I’m the very person the zealots decry for watering this place down, with my jeep and my commute and the barrels of oil my other ride burns per day. I buy moist bum-wipes for my hemorrhoids, for fuck sake. The voluntary discomfort of regular toilet paper just ain’t gonna do it for me.

Yet, I spend about $30,000 per year from a $130,000 salary. I happily in someone else’s basement. I contribute five figure to charity every year. Where the fuck else am I going to hang out?

Moist bum wipes???  Earth murderer!!!!

Earth murderers and Russian bots. How low has this place has sunk!

[Sailor Sam]

I

It might be old, but there’s a whole new generation to enjoy it.

I’m not a mustachian. I’m the very person the zealots decry for watering this place down, with my jeep and my commute and the barrels of oil my other ride burns per day. I buy moist bum-wipes for my hemorrhoids, for fuck sake. The voluntary discomfort of regular toilet paper just ain’t gonna do it for me.

Yet, I spend about $30,000 per year from a $130,000 salary. I happily in someone else’s basement. I contribute five figure to charity every year. Where the fuck else am I going to hang out?

Moist bum wipes???  Earth murderer!!!!

Earth murderers and Russian bots. How low has this place has sunk!

Well, since we can’t goddamn smoke anymore, they’re like currency on the ship. “XO has wipes, and want’s chips. Pass it on!”

[DaMa]

The real power in Mustachian-ism is in spending less.  That varies from person to person, but we don't follow consumer culture.  We spend mindfully.  For some that means riding a bike.  For others that means buying a 10 yr old Honda to go with the Hummer instead of a brand new Mercedes. 

Everything else -- save more, invest in index funds, etc. -- are just techniques to get us to FIRE.

(Is there anyone here that actually has a Hummer?)

[John Galt incarnate!]

An individual is officially Mu$tachian by virtue of  their deeply personal determination to pursue  their ideas of happiness and contentment  instead of  rotely adhering  to bromidic  social constructs supposed to ensure them.

[Aelias]

Yet, I spend about $30,000 per year from a $130,000 salary. I happily in someone else’s basement. I contribute five figure to charity every year. Where the fuck else am I going to hang out?

This made me smile.  There is actually a pretty staggering diversity of lifestyles represented on this site.  But I feel like something we all have in common is a distain for consumer culture and a healthy skepticism about the role of traditional employment in a life well lived.

This is where I go to talk frankly about financial and life goals without having to worry about making others feel bad about earning or saving less.  It's where I don't have to feel weird about being a millionaire who cuts her own hair.  It's where I don't have to pretend I have a "career" planned out for the next 30 years of my life.

Where the fuck else am I going to hang out?

[HBFIRE]

Gotta ride a bike, attend lots of camps, yell out clown cars when you see them, give out a lot of judgmental face punches, and last but not least be secretly leftist and environmentalist.

[Dicey]

Gotta ride a bike, attend lots of camps, yell out clown cars when you see them, give out a lot of judgmental face punches, and last but not least be secretly leftist and environmentalist.

My bike-ridin'days are o-ver, but I don't consider myself any less of a mustachian, so there.

[maisymouser]

Feeling like an alien in a sea of consumerism is what makes me a Mustachian.

[OtherJen]

Feeling like an alien in a sea of consumerism is what makes me a Mustachian.

This.

[Metalcat]

Gotta ride a bike, attend lots of camps, yell out clown cars when you see them, give out a lot of judgmental face punches, and last but not least be secretly leftist and environmentalist.

Secretly?

[calimom]

Gotta ride a bike, attend lots of camps, yell out clown cars when you see them, give out a lot of judgmental face punches, and last but not least be secretly leftist and environmentalist.

Secretly?

I'm wearing an RBG t shirt and 20 year old Birkenstocks RIGHT NOW.

Edited to add I'm drinking a glass of bartered Pinot Noir, by a fire of free firewood, which is heating my modest but pleasant home. Getting ready to eat some black bean chili from a batch cook and having a salad to use up farmer's market greens. Not quite Peak Mustachian but somewhere on the ridge line.

[js82]

I think I am an "official" Mustachian because of the mindset I practice, and which is encapsulated in my blog's tagline:
To Make The Most of My Time and My Money.

An individual is officially Mu$tachian by virtue of  their deeply personal determination to pursue  their ideas of happiness and contentment  instead of  rotely adhering  to bromidic  social constructs supposed to ensure them.

This is pretty close to how I think of it.

It's not a frugality contest, or a certain savings rate.  It's about *mindfulness* when it comes to the value of everything in your life - your money, your time, your relationships - and being thoughtful about how you spend your finite resources, in order to do so in the manner that will bring you the most happiness.

[Zikoris]

If a person is using a fluffy watered down definition like "being mindful", I'd be awfully curious how that would differentiate from any of the bazillion other philosophies that are basically that as well. How is that any different than, say, ChooseFI philosophy, or even zen buddhism, or Marie Kondo/minimalism?

It seems to me like the definitions that so many people in this thread are using are actually way more in line with ChooseFI than MMM. I'm not saying that like it's a bad thing, just different. ChooseFI is definitely heavy on mindfulness, conscious consumerism, etc, while MMM is way more facepunches, get on that bike you clown, DIY, be a badass, etc.

Personally, I prefer ERE philosophy, which takes it even further into crazy-land where spending levels are compared by JAFIs (1 Jacob Adjusted for Inflation = about $8,600/person/year spending level including everything), you build your own furniture, spend $100/month on food, and basically eschew consumerism altogether. But this place is cool too.