Mr. Money Mustache Forums [Archive]

lhamo

5-9-12, 1:09am

I've been working my way back through his archive. I love his "no complainypants" attitude, though I can see how it would not be some people's cup of tea. I haven't checked out the forums yet -- my VPN has been acting up at home lately and internet has been very spotty. I'll probably sign up there with the same handle as I use here, though. Not that hard for people to pick me out of an online crowd, anyway (only so many female American Ph.Ds working in Beijing....)

lhamo

cattledog

5-9-12, 7:02am

AmeliaJane

5-9-12, 8:38am

Thanks for the referral--it was fun to browse around! I get the feeling the blog/forums appeal to a particular group of younger and newer savers who perhaps like the writer's edgier attitude. But I think that's great that there's support out there for a wide variety of savers/frugal livers!

cdttmm

5-9-12, 8:55am

I hang out over at MMM, both following the blog and posting on the forums. I like the edgy factor and just the different crowd -- keeps my online reading interesting.

Mighty Frugal

5-9-12, 1:03pm

I adore him. Someone on here first posted his link. I 'liked' him on FB so I get all his new posts and enjoy reading them. I especially loved his breakdown of people's finances-super interesting to me! He's cute and an entertaining writer

Blackdog Lin

5-9-12, 6:38pm

I follow his blog regularly, but after checking out the forums.....I don't know, the "tone" just didn't made me want to be a member. I suspect it is indeed my age, as his followers do seem to be younger. I very much enjoy his blogs though.

fidgiegirl

5-9-12, 6:45pm

I should clarify that I do like some of the blog entries, but the forum has a bit of a cultish feel to it to me (i.e. "Mustachian") that seems a little strange. As if someone "owns" the concept of saving large amounts of money. It's a little off-putting for some reason. Maybe it's because I'm older (and wiser- ha!), but this concept isn't anything new. Maybe it is for 20-somethings though?

I did like the Early Retirement Extreme blog though, more so because he wasn't making six figures, but just lived very simply (this blog is kind of winding down though since the writer moved on to a new job).

Yes, I would agree that it has a younger, edgier feel to it than here. No offense whatsoever intended, my dear friends, because that also can create the feel of trying to one-up and be better than others. So on some days that's not appealing at all, but then on other days, it feels fun, light, and also there is the excitement of people just discovering some of these ideas - much like myself when I first came to the SLF.

I really, REALLY like the blog, though . . . love MMM's writing style, and him rehabbing the rental was appealing when we were going to be renting out our place, and were working on this house . . . the timing was nice. I was captivated.

Well anyway, I'm also fidgiegirl over there, so if you spot me, yep - it's me. :)

rosarugosa

5-9-12, 6:57pm

I love the blog, but I've yet to post on the forums, which is funny, because I was very excited when they launched. I'm registered under the same name, so if I do ever comment, you'll recognize me. I've seen Madgey comment there and she doesn't seem to be here any more, which is too bad. I totally enjoy the profanity, which is quite a change from SLF! I think MMM is an excellent writer, and I've gotten some good insights from him. It does seem like the forum is largely composed of young professionals who think they are all going to retire at 35. It would be interesting tyo know how many actually succeed. It seems that at a certain age everyone thinks they're going to retire early, and I'm not saying it's impossible, but it's a lot more of a challenge than most people realize. I certainly don't expect to retire at age 35 since I'm quite a bit beyond that already!
I also feel like I've found a nice community here, and we're a pretty eclectic group, which I enjoy. I'm not sure devoting more time and energy to another online forum is the best way to use my time. "Spend more time online" is not one of my goals for 2012!

fidgiegirl

5-9-12, 6:58pm

That's true, we haven't seen Madgeylou in quite a bit. Hope she comes back for a visit soon!

CeciliaW

5-9-12, 7:58pm

Thanks for the lead to the MMM forums.

I find them refreshing in that people actually seem to be intent on Doing something. Too many parts of the old SL forums turned into a Dear Abby column. This one seems to be threatening to do so as well. I guess I just appreciate the focus on the goals and the investment plans.

Oddly enough I recognize some of the nicks from other sites I visit too. It really must be a 'small world'.

I guess I like both forums and I thank you again for showing me another avenue.

simplelife4me

5-9-12, 8:50pm

Some of the content is decent. He is a little full of himself though.

catherine

5-9-12, 9:08pm

Actually I found him through another blog that lhamo recommended in a post a few months ago: Early Retirement Extreme: When the ERE author, Jacob Lund Fiskar (sp?) quit his blog, he referred his readers to MMM.

I think he's OK, but I I like Get Rich Slowly better.

daisy

5-10-12, 9:16am

I've been reading the MMM blog since the beginning, but for some reason I've never looked at the forums. I'll have to check it out!

jennipurrr

5-10-12, 4:55pm

I really like his blog...I also found it from a link here. I haven't checked out the forums there but it sounds like I would like them. However, I also do not need more mindless online time...but inspiration is always good!

Spartana

5-21-12, 6:26pm

Thnaks for posting info on this MMM forum/blog. I took a quick look and loved it. Hey, any forum with the word "badassery" in the title is the forum for me :-)! Reminds me alot of the old SL forums with many topics that are near and dear to my heart like early retirement, financial stuff, living alternative lifestyles, alternative travel and long term travel/living, environmentalism, ex-pat stuff, etc.. Things that don't seem of much interest to the members here any more as this site seems more devoted to frugal home making, DIY, gardening, traditional family life, etc... things that aren't really a part of my life now. So I will go over there when I can - will post under the same name if I do so ya all know who I am. Too bad the early retirement extreme forum/blog is closed now as I think that would have been something I would have loved.

ETA: RosaRugosa - wanted to say I loved your flowers "album" from Breakheart. I use to live just a few miles from there and went running there every morning. Loved that place!!

Gardenarian

5-21-12, 6:41pm

Just started reading it and it is very amusing. Thanks for the lead!

Mrs-M

10-20-12, 8:42am

I paid a visit, however, the site didn't do anything for me. SLN, is where it's at! We're it!!!

If my entry offends anyone, AIA (apologies in advance).

Weston

10-22-12, 11:20am

Although I post here a lot more than I post on the Mustache forum I check that forum far more often than the Simple Living forum.

The primary reason is because the people on the Mustache forum pretty much stick to issues of frugality, spending, earning and saving. Although I certainly haven't totaled it up, it just seems to me that most of the postings on this forum deal with matters that aren't directly relating to simple living.

That isn't meant as a criticism since I include my postings in that group. I express a fair amount of opinion here but most of the time it isn't on the topics that first led me all those years ago to the Simple Living forum.

Not sure when things changed so drastically here, but my instincts tell me that they have in fact changed dramatically.

Mrs-M

10-22-12, 11:42am

Originally posted by Weston.
Not sure when things changed so drastically here, but my instincts tell me that they have in fact changed dramatically.Could you be a wee-bit more specific?

I've been a SLN member for seven years (a dedicated member), and SLN has always been a very diverse site that has maintained an open and free policy encouraging all conversation, so I'm confused over your point made Re: the dramatic changes that have taken place.

My personal take on sites that are geared towards acute regimented conversation, as in the case of MMM, where conversation revolves (solely) around frugality and money, money, money... is that they are boring. At least here it's free to voice your take on whatever matter you feel is worthy of starting or opening-up your day, and to me that says a lot about the diversity and enjoyment this site exudes.

AmeliaJane

10-22-12, 12:15pm

I've actually been thinking about how this site has evolved over the last 10 years (versions 1.0 and 2.0) given this discussion and the one on reaching FI. I feel like part of the change is that in the early years many posters were aspiring/working toward simpler living, however they defined it, and now many are living it--with this community as sounding board, resource library and sometimes safe space for those of us whose real world communities are not supportive. Stella and her family's journey are an example that spring to mind. Whether that is because the members themselves have transitioned, or because we attract posters at different stages, I'm not sure.

I enjoy visiting the MMM forums/blog--have taken away some good advice (need to get on re-evaluating what I pay for car insurance) and it's nice to see people being deliberate and responsible about their finances. I do find that after a little while I have had enough as they stick to a fairly narrowly focused set of topics. I also feel like the MMM approach is very effective for people who start with a certain set of resources (high professional incomes, early career stage) and want to follow the specific set of strategies offered up. However, at least in my browsing I do not seem to see many older people, people caring for elderly parents or children with health or special needs, people living in areas less conducive to MMM's strategies (for instance, he asks why anyone would have a landline....well, in my neighborhood, we get terrible cell-phone reception), or folks with income or physical limitations. Not that a lot of the advice isn't applicable across a lot of circumstances, but his strategies (which get reflected in the forums) definitely reflect his particular situation.

Gregg

10-22-12, 12:47pm

I think AmeliaJane is right, our membership has transitioned to a more mature (as in developed) set of members. There were a lot more 'characters' in the mix eight or ten years ago and a lot of the members who are now scaling back on working life were fully involved in that before. For example, I learned a whole lot about how to be an expat in Central America several years back. Enough, in fact, to learn that isn't what I really want to do, but that's where DW and I were in our thinking at the time. Ten years ago we had 3 kids at home and now two are married and the last one is a few months from heading off to college so my interests have evolved to where they are today. Changing venues also had a significant impact as several of the members from 1.0 didn't make the switch to here. Each had their own reason for not making the jump, but it did have a real impact on the community. Maybe we have become the comfortable old brown shoes of forums now, but I do think there are enough articulate and thoughtful members still active here to provide a lot of wisdom to newer members and to each other. There's a reason the old brown shoes are still one of my favorites.

ApatheticNoMore

10-22-12, 1:05pm

I also feel like the MMM approach is very effective for people who start with a certain set of resources (high professional incomes, early career stage) and want to follow the specific set of strategies offered up.

I have the impression and apprehension they might all out-earn me. I mean fine there are some rich people and high earners here, but it's pretty well balanced (ok it might trend a bit richer median here than the national average (which from news I read I get the impression is horrible!) but there's still some balance).

However, at least in my browsing I do not seem to see many older people, people caring for elderly parents or children with health or special needs

The older people here have given me a fear of the whole health insurance issue. OMG what is it going to be, I'll never afford it without working for the man. Issues that I probably wouldn't have thought about too much otherwise (although me paying near $300 a month for EMPLOYER PROVIDED insurance just to have a PPO is also rather absurd at this point!). Ok, that's not very positive >8)

I was never here for the wild and crazy alternative (I mean economically :)) lifestyles days full of characters (actually more interesting to me than high earning professionallism, I tried for that, I got the incredible boredom of professional life, and never fully got the truly high earning part).

Mrs-M

10-22-12, 1:11pm

Hey, Gregg, wouldn't it be great if we could transform the polished brown-shoe side of this forum into an all out black-shoe site? Taking it to a black-shoe level, IMO, would really help distinguish us from all the rest! :)

herbgeek

10-22-12, 1:19pm

I like the MMM blog, but no interest in the forums. Been there, done that, don't need to spend more time on line. Now that I'm in my 50's, and having been very aware of my spending for at least the last 25 years, I am comfortable with where I am, and the decisions I've made, and don't really feel I need any "advice". I know there are areas where I spend more money than I absolutely have to, but most of that is my intentional choice, with the exception of health insurance which is a we-tell-you-what-coverage-you-must have plan since I live in Massachusetts.

Mrs-M

10-22-12, 1:23pm

Originally posted by AmeliaJane.
Not that a lot of the advice isn't applicable across a lot of circumstances, but his strategies (which get reflected in the forums) definitely reflect his particular situation.Yeah... that's a huge put-off for me.

SimplyL

10-22-12, 4:00pm

I skimmed the MMM boards and have checked out others similar.. However, can say that I'm in a peaceful place in life. My internet time is for recreation, and I really don't find the 'fire and brimstone, you must do things x way or it's wrong' encouraging, useful, or motivating. However, that's for any board that I've been on, and there's something for everyone on the internet. I think that personal finance and simply living is subjective to the specific individual (or family's) needs, so following the model of one individual's case study (life experience) won't yield the same exact result. There's not a fit it all into one pretty box and tie a ribbon on it approach. Of course, there can be common ground good, sound advice of A) live below your means B) don't carry debt C) save. How people get to that place, well, there will be plenty of variables.

I do enjoy his articles and his wife's input.. signed up to receive them in my inbox. They're thought provoking. My husband and I have our own unique situation and long term goals. And from the start, being active duty military, we're already in the minority (even if we fit into the 'middle class' income bracket).

Some people do need that fire lit under them to become motivated. MMM can do it. Dave Ramsey can do it.. Scorched earth, Gazelle mode, MMM badassity. However, after 3 years, we've evolved and don't feel like we need to follow any one person's advice (that is especially not military), to get our end result.

Anyhow, with this board, I get the impression that folks are settled, comfortable with what they're doing (on whatever end of the spectrum of simple living they are on), and are confident. That's just more my speed. I was primarily looking for something more geared towards simple living with some finance convos sprinkled in, too. :) (Just input from a new member)

ApatheticNoMore

10-22-12, 4:09pm

My internet time is for recreation, and I really don't find the 'fire and brimstone, you must do things x way or it's wrong' encouraging, useful, or motivating.

oh it's plenty motivating - of rebellion :laff:

try2bfrugal

10-22-12, 7:16pm

I find the MMM site has some interesting ideas on the low expense side of things and not buying a lot of consumer junk. He has great points on that front.

He loses me on the how much money do you need to retire front. 4% withdrawal rate at age 38? 7% return? Not accounting for inflation? No medical or dental expenses in the budget or accounting for rapidly increasing health insurance premiums / costs later in life? There is much more realistic advice on the early-retirement.org forums on the financial planning side of FI.

I just get the feeling people want hope about FI more than financial accuracy, so sites that have realistic numbers on what it really takes to retire in your 30s, even with frugal living, will never be massively popular.

rosarugosa

10-22-12, 7:25pm

I really like the blog. I've found most of the articles to be worthwhile, and some of them enormously thought-provoking. But I haven't been able to get into the forums, which is fine. I don't really need another forum; I've got you guys :)

heydude

10-23-12, 2:24am

i like this simple living forum better. it seems to be more "real"

i have saved so much money by gaining tips off this forum

THANK YOU to everyone

Fawn

10-23-12, 12:22pm

I like the MMM blog and the way he looks at how many $ in investment to you have to have to buy something. And I like the way he writes.

Where his forums fall down, and these excell, is that his are specific to his life situation (youngish, 2 professional incomes for 10 years, one youngish child, no unexpected life blips-autistic child, war, divorce.) Whereas these forums are rich in diversity, (points of view, obstacles, values) and more mature...not just meaning that we are older, but that many people here have been living "their version" of a simple/frugal/meaningful life for decades.

He has the passion and drive, this place has more wisdom.

I like them both.