Author Topic: Who are you? Demographic poll (Read 33243 times)

Aloysius_Poutine · « **on:** February 29, 2012, 05:06:29 PM »

I want to get an idea of what type of people are interested in learning the mustachian ways, so answer the poll with one answer from each category. Thanks.

arebelspy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 29, 2012, 05:24:39 PM »

Neat idea, I love this!

Question: I'm struggling with the "debts" part. If I have 6 rental properties that have mortgages (well 4 of them do), do I count those? Cause I mean, I guess they are technically debts, but they are good debts, and they're by choice (I actually do have the cash to pay all of the 4 mortgages). So... ??

Eristheunorganized · « **Reply #2 on:** February 29, 2012, 05:28:50 PM »

This poll makes me sad. I was debt free, but my car died far quicker than I expected. Which is a problem when your job entails driving within a 60 mile radius. Enter Kia. I'm gonna pay it off. In less than two years. But still...

Aloysius_Poutine · « **Reply #3 on:** February 29, 2012, 05:29:17 PM »

Yeah, this polling system doesn't allow me to get really technical with the responses. I guess it'll have to be open ended-- are they 'debts' to you?

I was thinking along the lines of debts you have to service each month-- ie. consumer debts or student loans. If your tenants pay the mortgage for you, I personally wouldn't consider it a debt. Your call though.

I can also edit the poll (I think). So if we get tons of "other" responses to the residence question, for example, I can open that up to more specificity. Those of you who reside in "other"- chime in with your location!

Bakari · « **Reply #4 on:** February 29, 2012, 05:55:43 PM »

There is no option for serious relationship.
I'm not married, but I'm not single either.

arebelspy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 29, 2012, 08:37:06 PM »

Hmm, I wonder if these should be split into separate polls and threads.

Right now it's showing 10 votes for married (12.8%) and 5 for single (6.4%).. but really, since those are the only two options for relationship status, that should be 66% and 33%. That is, because there are so many options irrelevant to each other, but all counting for the percentages, the percentages are basically meaningless (and you have to recalculate each one you want - the relationship status is simple, but for the others it takes a bit more work).

I do like the idea of getting a profile of the "average" Mustachian and/or seeing how much we all differ!

Aloysius_Poutine · « **Reply #6 on:** February 29, 2012, 09:17:04 PM »

Thanks for editing the married option to include that important demographic. As you can tell I whipped this up on the fly.

Yeah, the percentages don't mean a thing here. What we need is a survey rather than a single poll.

kolorado · « **Reply #7 on:** March 01, 2012, 06:56:55 AM »

I'm the only high school graduate so far. Yikes. Usually there's a "Some college" option so I don't sound so bumpkin-ish. :P

Mike Key · « **Reply #8 on:** March 01, 2012, 07:03:04 AM »

Quote from: kolorado on March 01, 2012, 06:56:55 AM

I'm the only high school graduate so far. Yikes. Usually there's a "Some college" option so I don't sound so bumpkin-ish. :P

You are not alone, I have a GED and took some college classes and my wife is the one with a Master Degree.

I do however consider myself both to be an Autodidactic and a Polymath. Our combined income should be over 100K but I took a 4 month break in my business last year that turned out to be a very disastrous move and has driven my income from 60K down to 23K, struggling to turn that around for 2012. The joys of being self employed.

:)

Bakari · « **Reply #9 on:** March 01, 2012, 09:42:32 AM »

One of the biggest motivators in finally finishing my AS and AA degrees was so I could say I was a college graduate :P

zoltani · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2012, 12:53:06 PM »

Yeah, my only debt is on a rental property as well, but I still included it in the poll.

Aloysius_Poutine · « **Reply #11 on:** March 02, 2012, 01:23:21 PM »

Interesting mix of household income: we've got a lot of <$40K earners, and a good chunk of $150K+ earners too. I guess frugality is the thread that ties us all together regardless of income.

I'm not going to read too much into the debt results, seeing as some are considering mortgages debts while others aren't.

Joementum · « **Reply #12 on:** March 02, 2012, 09:32:23 PM »

Quote from: arebelspy on February 29, 2012, 05:24:39 PM

Neat idea, I love this!

Question: I'm struggling with the "debts" part. If I have 6 rental properties that have mortgages (well 4 of them do), do I count those? Cause I mean, I guess they are technically debts, but they are good debts, and they're by choice (I actually do have the cash to pay all of the 4 mortgages). So... ??

They should change the option from debt total to a debt to income ratio. That would be much more informative.

arebelspy · « **Reply #13 on:** March 03, 2012, 01:19:55 PM »

Quote from: Joementum on March 02, 2012, 09:32:23 PM

Quote from: arebelspy on February 29, 2012, 05:24:39 PM
Neat idea, I love this!

Question: I'm struggling with the "debts" part. If I have 6 rental properties that have mortgages (well 4 of them do), do I count those? Cause I mean, I guess they are technically debts, but they are good debts, and they're by choice (I actually do have the cash to pay all of the 4 mortgages). So... ??

They should change the option from debt total to a debt to income ratio. That would be much more informative.

Debt to 'stache ratio might be even better, or both.

Secret Stache · « **Reply #14 on:** March 07, 2012, 09:23:44 AM »

Quote from: arebelspy on March 03, 2012, 01:19:55 PM

Quote from: Joementum on March 02, 2012, 09:32:23 PM
Quote from: arebelspy on February 29, 2012, 05:24:39 PM
Neat idea, I love this!

Question: I'm struggling with the "debts" part. If I have 6 rental properties that have mortgages (well 4 of them do), do I count those? Cause I mean, I guess they are technically debts, but they are good debts, and they're by choice (I actually do have the cash to pay all of the 4 mortgages). So... ??

They should change the option from debt total to a debt to income ratio. That would be much more informative.

Debt to 'stache ratio might be even better, or both.

Or possibly add monthly expenses to the poll or a ratio of income to expenses.

arebelspy · « **Reply #15 on:** March 07, 2012, 08:38:45 PM »

That's a good idea too.

We should crowdsource the best demographic questions, then run them as separate polls.

twinge · « **Reply #16 on:** March 09, 2012, 07:17:02 AM »

My vote for a demographic would be net worth or debt to 'stache ratio.

Monthly expenses strike me as too variable to be interesting--

arebelspy · « **Reply #17 on:** March 09, 2012, 08:49:36 AM »

Quote from: twinge on March 09, 2012, 07:17:02 AM

Monthly expenses strike me as too variable to be interesting--

That's true, some places are much more expensive to live in, some are married with kids versus being single, etc.

CNM · « **Reply #18 on:** March 09, 2012, 11:14:06 AM »

Hello! I had trouble with the "debts" question, too, as many frugality blogs put mortgages in a category apart from consumer debts. I answered including my mortgage (only $200K left to pay off! sigh.)

arebelspy · « **Reply #19 on:** March 09, 2012, 11:57:03 AM »

Well we've had 102 people vote so far, so let's total up to get some results!

(Note: Not all 102 participants voted in every category, but all percents should add to 100.)

The votes are totaled in the poll already, but the percentages don't make sense since they're a percentage of everything, so that's what I'm trying to fix here.

Family Status:
66% Married
33% Single

Household Income:
23% make < $40k / yr
13% make $40k - 60k / yr
13% make $60k - 80k / yr
10% make $80k - 100k / yr
27% make $100 - 150k / yr
14% make $150k+ / yr

Debts:
38% have no debts
10% have $0 - 10k in debt
11% have $10k - 30k in debt
12% have $30k - 60k in debt
8% have $60k - 100k in debt
21% have $100k+ in debt

Highest level of education:
7% have a High School Diploma
58% have a College/University Degree
35% have a Master's degree or PhD

Residence:
79% reside in the USA
9% reside in Canada
5% reside in the UK
7% reside in a place other than those three

So we can quite strongly say that the average Mustachian is married, lives in the US, and has a college degree.

The debts and income have quite a spread, and are fairly balanced between them, but what's interesting to me is that they're both top/bottom heavy (more respondants polling on the extremes). For example, we can tentatively say that he/she most likely makes either less than 40k/yr or makes 6 figures a year, and likely has either no debts or 6 figures worth of debts.

I leave you to draw your own conclusions based on this data. Just figured I'd total the percentages from the raw numbers, to make it easier to consume. Hope you find it as interesting as I do. :)

Physics · « **Reply #20 on:** March 09, 2012, 12:31:38 PM »

Of course, the numbers are pretty low yet to really make any statistically relevant statements, but I do have an optimistic opinion of how to read the "bimodal distribution of debts".

It goes to show the effectiveness of Mustachian living. You have folks joining us who are in debt and are learning. And you have folks who have been living the solution. There are fewer people in the middle because the results are dramatic and effective, and faster than you may expect.

Once you decide to tackle your (unwanted) debt and live the lifestyle necessary to do it, it doesn't take forever to see the real change. and you have a big swing from "lots of unwanted debt" to "no unwanted debt" with not as much time spent in the middle!

franallad · « **Reply #21 on:** March 14, 2012, 01:01:50 PM »

I also found the income and debt spreads quite interesting. It seems like those who appreciate the MMM way of life either have no debt or are drowning in it.

adam · « **Reply #22 on:** March 14, 2012, 01:56:19 PM »

The sad thing is I didn't need to include either of our two houses to break into the highest debt category :(

nolajo · « **Reply #23 on:** March 14, 2012, 09:27:26 PM »

Quote from: Physics on March 09, 2012, 12:31:38 PM

Of course, the numbers are pretty low yet to really make any statistically relevant statements, but I do have an optimistic opinion of how to read the "bimodal distribution of debts".

It goes to show the effectiveness of Mustachian living. You have folks joining us who are in debt and are learning. And you have folks who have been living the solution. There are fewer people in the middle because the results are dramatic and effective, and faster than you may expect.

Once you decide to tackle your (unwanted) debt and live the lifestyle necessary to do it, it doesn't take forever to see the real change. and you have a big swing from "lots of unwanted debt" to "no unwanted debt" with not as much time spent in the middle!

I like your take on it. Mine was simply that you probably have a lot of people with mortgages - I'd be interested to know what portion of those in the $100k+ range were there for anything other than a mortgage. If we're getting really nosy, we could ask how that mortgage compares to the purchase price of the house. (I, unfortunately, am one of the ones in the middle due to student loans. Home ownership with or without a mortgage is a ways away.)

LindseyBob · « **Reply #24 on:** April 18, 2012, 03:46:59 AM »

Interesting - would look forward to seeing results from a larger group.

Need more mustaches in the UK! Luckily the principles of MMM translate over the pond (even if I have to constantly convert from $ in my head!)

mikednj · « **Reply #25 on:** April 18, 2012, 09:09:17 AM »

I voted debt 100+ because I have a 350k mortgage on my primary residence.

Aside from that I have no debt. Which feels good, until I write that $2500/month mortgage +escrow bill.

biliruben · « **Reply #26 on:** April 18, 2012, 11:16:10 AM »

Yeah, my debt is almost all mortgage at <4%. There is also a lingering small student loan at 2.5% that I figure is too cheap to pay off. With inflation, it's essentially free money, and just getting to the point where the interest is negligible.

You are essentially measuring whether someone is a homeowner.

It would be a much more interesting poll if had made it multiple questions and allowed the ability to crosstab the responses.

billc · « **Reply #27 on:** April 21, 2012, 09:57:33 AM »

The income is a little tricky too though. I listed 150k+ but that's two earners 95k+64k+investment income

If I were responding as a single my income would be in the next tier down.

Married (ages 28 & 27)
Live in Washington DC Area
I'm college grad, wife has doctorate

~165k income (after tax, 401k, insurance = ~105k)
~70k Student debt (was 90k two days ago)
~10k Car loan (silly, but interest rate much lower on this than student loans)
~115k mortgage on a fully rented investment property

Currently engaged in a gradual process to convince my wife to adopt some more frugal living. Killing off one of the $20k student loans was a big step.

Sparky · « **Reply #28 on:** April 22, 2012, 06:51:24 PM »

I am surprised that I fall into the most common categories for the important MMM stuff (I'm single but in a relationship and in usually in Canada that are the off ones). Kinda interesting to be honest.

grantmeaname · « **Reply #29 on:** June 27, 2012, 08:44:15 AM »

Hey everybody, what's your demographic? Maybe we can get some real numbers in here if it stays at the top of the category for a little while.

momo · « **Reply #30 on:** January 23, 2013, 01:38:23 PM »

This is a good thread. Any chance we can pin it or cross link it to the "Introduce Yourself" thread? Thanks.

Would also be curious in seeing an updated version for average net worth for the MMM community. Thanks.

Cheers!

arebelspy · « **Reply #31 on:** January 23, 2013, 01:51:40 PM »

Good idea. I made a new "welcome" sticky to direct people to the various poll threads.

micah_mae_ · « **Reply #32 on:** January 23, 2013, 02:23:57 PM »

Married

Just over $40,000

Debt is a $3300 credit card, $10500 upside down vehicle loan and $500 misc.

We both have high school degrees and I have some college.

We live in the US.

Nords · « **Reply #33 on:** January 23, 2013, 05:45:15 PM »

Quote from: nolajo on March 14, 2012, 09:27:26 PM

I like your take on it. Mine was simply that you probably have a lot of people with mortgages - I'd be interested to know what portion of those in the $100k+ range were there for anything other than a mortgage. If we're getting really nosy, we could ask how that mortgage compares to the purchase price of the house. (I, unfortunately, am one of the ones in the middle due to student loans. Home ownership with or without a mortgage is a ways away.)

Yep-- our mortgage debt is our only debt, and it's less than the equity in the real estate.

You could compare the debt to purchase price or to current market value. Some of us have been homeowners for longer than some others of us have been alive... and personally, we'll make our last mortgage payment when I'm 80 years old.

gecko10x · « **Reply #34 on:** January 24, 2013, 09:29:40 AM »

I agree WRT to debt vs. net worth vs. income. They need to be associated in some fashion to draw meaningful financial pictures.

frugalcalan · « **Reply #35 on:** January 24, 2013, 11:04:01 AM »

If I have a roommate, do I include her income in "household income"?

unitsinc · « **Reply #36 on:** January 24, 2013, 11:06:06 AM »

Quote from: frugalcalan on January 24, 2013, 11:04:01 AM

If I have a roommate, do I include her income in "household income"?

I'd say not unless your finances were combined.

galaxie · « **Reply #37 on:** January 24, 2013, 11:28:28 AM »

I'm in the highest debt category, but it's all the mortgage on our house (bought recently). We're making good progress, though.

Prob8 · « **Reply #38 on:** February 13, 2013, 07:32:57 PM »

Perhaps we should add "savings rate percentage" to the poll. That figure is a pretty good indicator of your path to freedom.

grantmeaname · « **Reply #39 on:** February 13, 2013, 07:46:27 PM »

Prob8, good idea! I've made a new poll here to ask the question.

Spartana · « **Reply #40 on:** February 15, 2013, 11:58:09 AM »

Single (divorced) female. No kids. No debt. Retired with a government pension income under $40K/year. Master's degree (free thanks to my favorite uncle...Uncle Sam using GI benefits). US of A citizen.

KulshanGirl · « **Reply #41 on:** February 15, 2013, 12:15:48 PM »

Single female, one child, in the US, college degree. Household income $40k-$60K, but I just barely made it into this category, I'm sitting down near the $40K end. I answered no debt, as I have no consumer debt. If I include my mortgage in there, I'd be in the $100+ category, but only just barely. Maybe I should count that, but I have equity in the house, and comparable rent in my area is now more than my mortgage payment. It's good debt.

scooterdog · « **Reply #42 on:** March 25, 2014, 08:07:20 AM »

As I missed the post with the breakdown by percentages, I threw this together with a total of 790 responses:

Number Percentages
Married 541 68.5%
Single 249 31.5%

<40K 109 13.8%
40 to 60K 110 13.9%
60 to 80K 109 13.8%
80 to 100K 112 14.2%
100 to 150K 197 24.9%
>150K 154 19.5%

Debt: 0 324 41.0%
0 to 10K 83 10.5%
10K - 30K 80 10.1%
30K - 60K 59 7.5%
60K - 100K 42 5.3%
100K+ 202 25.6%

Ed: HS 64 8.1%
College 433 54.8%
Masters/PhD 299 37.8%

Res:US 625 79.1%
Canada 71 9.0%
UK 23 2.9%
Other 76 9.6%

soccerluvof4 · « **Reply #43 on:** March 25, 2014, 11:04:47 AM »

Married

Highest Income level listed

No debt (no mortgage debt either)

One HS , One 4 year degree

Live in USA

hybrid · « **Reply #44 on:** March 25, 2014, 12:28:33 PM »

Haven't answered yet. No debt except the mortgages on the house and rental and decent equity in both, so how to answer? Some college but no college degree. How to answer? Would like to see that option in the poll.

CommonCents · « **Reply #45 on:** March 25, 2014, 12:45:14 PM »

Interesting. I voted before reading the thread, thus I voted no debt, although I have student loan and mortgage debt, because our my stash is sufficient to pay it off today if we wished. So I guess I interpreted it more as a "net worth" question than a debt question.

GerryS · « **Reply #46 on:** July 22, 2015, 11:41:43 PM »

I see the topic has gone cold, but I'm new here so I did the poll. Primary residence mortgage is the biggest debt (425K). Beyond that we have a rental mortgage (didn't count it since it gets paid by the renter) and small student loan balances.

I'm college grad, wife is Master's level.

PowerMustache · « **Reply #47 on:** July 23, 2015, 12:35:16 AM »

I just recently found this as well.

In the high debt/high household income categories. Debt is student loans, but probably 'good' student loans even from the mustachian perspective -- the debt is the reason income is so high. Professional school is very recently finished which is why debt is still so high - it is dwindling fast thanks to high income + pre-existing frugality with a mustachian boost.

alsoknownasDean · « **Reply #48 on:** July 23, 2015, 04:33:15 AM »

Single.
Income: $60-80K.
Debt: $10-30K.
Education: University (Bachelors Degree)
Residence: Other.

The debt is a low-interest government-funded student loan, I'm in no hurry to pay off a debt that's indexed at around 2.5% and where compulsory payments are being deducted from my pay. Of course there's a good chance I'll buy a place in a couple years which winds the debt all the way up to 11.

Does anyone notice there's no option for those who didn't finish high school, or those who completed sub-degree qualifications?

LeRainDrop · « **Reply #49 on:** December 11, 2015, 08:09:57 PM »

Wow, I'm really surprised that 75% of the respondents have either no mortgage or their mortgage is less than $100,000! Have people not been considering their mortgage as a debt, even though it is a debt?

News:

Poll

Who are you? Pick one answer per category

Author Topic: Who are you? Demographic poll (Read 33243 times)

zoltani

Spartana