MM and dreams and goals

UncleL1228 · May 2015

Just curious...What financial goals and dreams do you guys have as couples? What other goals and dreams have you guys discussed?

short+sassy · May 2015

My financial dreams and goals are to replace my income with real estate investing, specifically holding rental properties, so that I can "retire" early...at least from corporate life...and basically be working for myself. At that point, I'll probably become a real estate agent. The sad thing is, I could probably more than replace my income as an agent within a year, but I am too nervous to jump from a steady paycheck to a commission-only job.

Terrible to admit, but I don't really know what my DH's goals and dreams are, financial or otherwise. I've asked him, but I don't think he knows. We have talked about wanting to travel more and some of the places we want to go. We've also talked about some of the places we'd like to own a vacation home in the future. But that last one would be way, way into the future. When we are retired and super comfortable financially.

He does know about my real estate goals and supports them. Cautiously, at first, but I think my passion and the success of my first investment has won him over.

I mentioned to him recently, for the first time, that I think I'd like to be an agent, once I'm in a place where I can quit my job. I wasn't sure how he would respond to that because his least favorite profession is sales. I knew he wouldn't be obviously negative, because he is not like that, but I expected...at best...a stoic, "Oh, okay." But he surprised me by being excited about it. He told me it sounded like a great idea and like something I'd really enjoy and be good at.

lifeonthehill · May 2015

A few months before the wedding me made a list of goals to meet before having children. We wanted to
-Contribute 10% to retirement
-Get our own health insurance(we were both still on parents)
-Pay of 35k in student loan debt
-Get a new(to us) car
-Save a 6 month emergency fund
-Be able to afford me staying home with our child and going to school part time
-Getting all of the classes I couldn't take online done
- Take a vacation together

We have basically completed the list. I am taking my last "in class" semester in the fall and we are hopefully getting our new car this Friday!

Now that we have finished that list we want to bump our retirement contribution up to 15%, save 5k to cover everything baby, and continue saving money up for me to continue going to college. In his line of work most people don't buy homes until retirement so home ownership is not on the to do list.

AprilZ81 · May 2015

We don't have set goals.

Our only debt is our mortgage and a small HELOC, we don't have any credit card debt or student loans. This allows us to have a lot of flexibility in how we spend our money and we can easily shift gears to work on a new goal if we both agree.

We both contribute heavily to retirement and we expect to receive significant inheritances from our parents (hopefully not for a long, long time) so our retirement and possibly college funds for our future children shouldn't be a large concern.

I would like to be able to travel with our future kids to show them the world and how lucky we are to have what we do. Once we have kids we will probably stick to beach vacations and "easy" trips like cruises until they are a little older (probably around 8-10) so they can actually REMEMBER the places we visit.

I would also like to pay for their education. DH went to college for free and my parents paid for everything except for my summer abroad so we were both fortunate to have little/no college debt. That really did give us a leg up on our peers to not have to spend so much of our income on debt repayment. I do kind of hope that our kids will show interest in a skilled trade (electric, plumbing, HVAC, etc) because those careers can make some serious cash because no one wants to work with their hands anymore and they have a shortage of workers.

vlagrl29 · May 2015

We don't really set goals. It was important for us to start an e fund a couple years ago which we did, then I wanted to contribute more to retirement which we did. Now I would love to save half of what it would cost to replace our carpet in the main level of our house with hard wood floors and finance the other half. I want more in our savings which I think will never change. It's never enough for me.

We were able to have me SAH with our DD while I work part time at my own business and DH is building a photography studio hopefully soon which will bring in more $$ and we will be TTC #2 next year. I plan on moving us to a gold plan on the ACA so we have very little medical bills with #2 - low deductible.

Wulfgar · May 2015

My main goals are to continue to pay down debt while trying to save more for retirement. I have roughly 25 years before retirement and I am no where close to where I want to be.

MW's main goals are to pay down debt to afford to go part-time while sending our children to Catholic school.

als1982 · May 2015

@UncleL1228, what are your financial dreams and goals?

JoanE2012 · May 2015

als1982 said:

@UncleL1228, what are your financial dreams and goals?

---Boxes----

Ditto. OP, you've only had a couple posts and to me, they come off as sounding like you're doing research and we're you're subjects. I'm sure that's not the case (right??). Do share more about yourself and answer your own questions so we can learn more about you!

jessica490 · May 2015

Our financial dreams are to just continue contributing to our 401K's and increase that every year. We will be opening up ROTH IRA's after we buy a house this summer.

We met our goal to sell our condo and we close next week. We will be living with my parents to save up some quick cash so we can start house hunting soon. This has been a huge goal of ours and we are so close!

Are regular dreams are to keep traveling and stay kid-free!

Once we sell this condo and get rid of this mortgage we will continue to be debt free and plan to keep it that way except for the mortgage on the new house we will be buying.

TravelJunkie1234 · May 2015

We don't have any specific goals as far as hard numbers, but we do have things that we want to accomplish.

-Finish Paying off DH's Student Loans

-Save up enough for me to able to afford to stay at home when we start a family (eventually...someday...), and when kids do finally come around we want to be able to put money aside for their education and continue to travel (at least one big trip every couple of years)

-Increase the amount we put into retirement (this is one area I really need to focus on myself)

-Buy/Build a house on at least a few acres of land, preferably on a lake...where our parents can live with us and we can all have our own space.

-We have come to terms with the fact that my mom will probably have to come live with us within the next 10 years or so we are trying to at least mentally prepare for that. We don't really have a financial plan to handle that, aside from just general savings. My mom has been a SAHM for almost 30 years so she won't get a lot from SS or anything, and my parents have nothing in savings, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

-Oh, and DH really wants a boat and another car (why we need another car is beyond me, but that's what he wants). TBH I'd love a boat too.

TravelJunkie1234 · May 2015

short+sassy said:

My financial dreams and goals are to replace my income with real estate investing, specifically holding rental properties, so that I can "retire" early...at least from corporate life...and basically be working for myself. At that point, I'll probably become a real estate agent. The sad thing is, I could probably more than replace my income as an agent within a year, but I am too nervous to jump from a steady paycheck to a commission-only job.
Terrible to admit, but I don't really know what my DH's goals and dreams are, financial or otherwise. I've asked him, but I don't think he knows. We have talked about wanting to travel more and some of the places we want to go. We've also talked about some of the places we'd like to own a vacation home in the future. But that last one would be way, way into the future. When we are retired and super comfortable financially.
He does know about my real estate goals and supports them. Cautiously, at first, but I think my passion and the success of my first investment has won him over.
I mentioned to him recently, for the first time, that I think I'd like to be an agent, once I'm in a place where I can quit my job. I wasn't sure how he would respond to that because his least favorite profession is sales. I knew he wouldn't be obviously negative, because he is not like that, but I expected...at best...a stoic, "Oh, okay." But he surprised me by being excited about it. He told me it sounded like a great idea and like something I'd really enjoy and be good at.

I think you should go for it! I've worked in the admin side of real estate for years and have thought about getting my license as well (although I suck at sales so it may not be a great fit for me). I'm more familiar with RE in Colorado though, not the area where I currently live and that's one of the main things that's holding me back from getting my license. One of these days I may take the plunge though!

simplyelise · May 2015

Pay off student loans (37k left of original 55k)

6 months expenses in savings (currently ~1.5 months)

Contribute at least 10% to retirment on top of our pensions (currently not funding)

I go to 3/4 or 1/2 time at work to stay home with babies

Save 20% for a downpayment on a home that would work for us for 15-20 years

Be able to help children purchase cars (you pay half, we pay half, up to ~3000k)

Be able to pay state university tuition for kids

Purchase/build our dream home in cash

Travel conservatively with children and more broadly in retirement

als1982 · May 2015

Current goals: Pay off my H's student loan (currently at $58K), have $100K saved for retirement and $12-$15K as an emergency/bany fund. We hope to have these accomplished in the next 14-18 months.

From there, we'll reevaluate. But my ultimate goal is FIRE (financially independent, retired early) - I'm a Mr. Money Mustache follower.

hoffse · May 2015

I agree it kind of sounds like you're doing research. Nonetheless, I'll bite.

Short-term (within 10 years)

-Student loans paid off

-Babies (hopefully)

-Probably in our forever house

-One or both of us partners in a law firm - definitely this path for H, I might end up going in-house since I do corporate/tax work

-Finish my LLM degree in tax (will be completed next year)

-Continue to travel, even once we have kids. We hope to travel with them and without them. We will probably focus more on domestic/North American destinations for the first few years once we have kids. No worries about that, there are lots of domestic places we want to see that we are saving for kids.

Long-term

-Mortgage on our forever house paid off by retirement

-Buy a vacation house, possibly in Europe (H is a dual citizen and can own property without a bunch of loopholes), which we would likely rent while we weren't there

-Eventually live 6 months of the year over there and 6 months of the year over here

-Kick off retirement with an around the world cruise - we would both like to circumnavigate the globe. They're pricey though so will require some planning/saving.

-Increase our charitable giving, pick a couple charities that we write into our estate plan (sorry kids, you aren't getting all of it)

-Convince my parents to leave the US and see Europe with us at least once - I would love to do a family trip with them. My dad has only been to London and my mom has never been over there at all.

als1982 · May 2015

hoffse said:
I agree it kind of sounds like you're doing research. Nonetheless, I'll bite.

Short-term (within 10 years)
-Student loans paid off
-Babies (hopefully)
-Probably in our forever house
-One or both of us partners in a law firm - definitely this path for H, I might end up going in-house since I do corporate/tax work
-Finish my LLM degree in tax (will be completed next year)
-Continue to travel, even once we have kids. We hope to travel with them and without them. We will probably focus more on domestic/North American destinations for the first few years once we have kids. No worries about that, there are lots of domestic places we want to see that we are saving for kids.

Long-term
-Mortgage on our forever house paid off by retirement
-Buy a vacation house, possibly in Europe (H is a dual citizen and can own property without a bunch of loopholes), which we would likely rent while we weren't there
-Eventually live 6 months of the year over there and 6 months of the year over here
-Kick off retirement with an around the world cruise - we would both like to circumnavigate the globe. They're pricey though so will require some planning/saving.
-Increase our charitable giving, pick a couple charities that we write into our estate plan (sorry kids, you aren't getting all of it)
-Convince my parents to leave the US and see Europe with us at least once - I would love to do a family trip with them. My dad has only been to London and my mom has never been over there at all.

Love your intentions to leave a legacy! My biggest peeve is the entitlement of people who think their parents' money somehow belongs to them through inheritance!!

UncleL1228 · May 2015

JoanE2012 said:

als1982 said:

@UncleL1228, what are your financial dreams and goals?

---Boxes----

Ditto. OP, you've only had a couple posts and to me, they come off as sounding like you're doing research and we're you're subjects. I'm sure that's not the case (right??). Do share more about yourself and answer your own questions so we can learn more about you!

Id love to share. My goal is financial independence so I can spend more time with my wife and future kids. I am currently working 11-12 hrs a day 5 and sometimes 6 days a week. It is a good job and pays well but it has made me realize how much I DON'T want to be working the rest of my life. Sorry if this has seemed like research, I am just curious. I feel like the open communication about finances and dreams with my wife and I has really helped our marriage and I would love for others to feel the same way.

UncleL1228 · May 2015

als1982 said:

Current goals: Pay off my H's student loan (currently at $58K), have $100K saved for retirement and $12-$15K as an emergency/bany fund. We hope to have these accomplished in the next 14-18 months. From there, we'll reevaluate. But my ultimate goal is FIRE (financially independent, retired early) - I'm a Mr. Money Mustache follower.

Mr. Money Mustache has been a HUGE influence on how I think about my wife and I's money. It's amazing to me what we learn in school instead of financial wisdom. i.e. I knew what mitochondria did at a cellular level in the 5th grade but didn't learn anything about taxes or investing until I was 25. I guess if you are an accountant you would learn some of these things earlier but EVERYONE deals with money for the entirety of their lives so it seems like it would be curriculum in the public school system.

UncleL1228 · May 2015

hoffse said:

I agree it kind of sounds like you're doing research. Nonetheless, I'll bite.

Short-term (within 10 years)
-Student loans paid off
-Babies (hopefully)
-Probably in our forever house
-One or both of us partners in a law firm - definitely this path for H, I might end up going in-house since I do corporate/tax work

-Finish my LLM degree in tax (will be completed next year)
-Continue to travel, even once we have kids. We hope to travel with them and without them. We will probably focus more on domestic/North American destinations for the first few years once we have kids. No worries about that, there are lots of domestic places we want to see that we are saving for kids.

Long-term
-Mortgage on our forever house paid off by retirement
-Buy a vacation house, possibly in Europe (H is a dual citizen and can own property without a bunch of loopholes), which we would likely rent while we weren't there
-Eventually live 6 months of the year over there and 6 months of the year over here
-Kick off retirement with an around the world cruise - we would both like to circumnavigate the globe. They're pricey though so will require some planning/saving.
-Increase our charitable giving, pick a couple charities that we write into our estate plan (sorry kids, you aren't getting all of it)
-Convince my parents to leave the US and see Europe with us at least once - I would love to do a family trip with them. My dad has only been to London and my mom has never been over there at all.

Traveling the world with my wife is one of my goals. She loves to travel and has done so extensively. I want to go places she loves and discover new places together.

hoffse · May 2015

UncleL1228 said:

als1982 said:

Current goals: Pay off my H's student loan (currently at $58K), have $100K saved for retirement and $12-$15K as an emergency/bany fund. We hope to have these accomplished in the next 14-18 months. From there, we'll reevaluate. But my ultimate goal is FIRE (financially independent, retired early) - I'm a Mr. Money Mustache follower.

Mr. Money Mustache has been a HUGE influence on how I think about my wife and I's money. It's amazing to me what we learn in school instead of financial wisdom. i.e. I knew what mitochondria did at a cellular level in the 5th grade but didn't learn anything about taxes or investing until I was 25. I guess if you are an accountant you would learn some of these things earlier but EVERYONE deals with money for the entirety of their lives so it seems like it would be curriculum in the public school system.

I agree with this. I really think that a semester of personal finance and a semester of basic civics (ie: branches of government, division of powers, etc.) should be a requirement for high school graduates everywhere. Once you turn 18 you're legally responsible for your money and you have the right to vote. Both of those scare me with the way public education is.

UncleL1228 · May 2015

Yes. It is an epidemic. Especially considering the debt our entire country is in. Recovering from this debt needs to start at the personal level. If more people could be more educated financially, it would greatly decrease the need for government spending for bailouts, debt forgiveness, etc

als1982 · May 2015

UncleL1228 said:

als1982 said:

Current goals: Pay off my H's student loan (currently at $58K), have $100K saved for retirement and $12-$15K as an emergency/bany fund. We hope to have these accomplished in the next 14-18 months.

From there, we'll reevaluate. But my ultimate goal is FIRE (financially independent, retired early) - I'm a Mr. Money Mustache follower.

Mr. Money Mustache has been a HUGE influence on how I think about my wife and I's money. It's amazing to me what we learn in school instead of financial wisdom. i.e. I knew what mitochondria did at a cellular level in the 5th grade but didn't learn anything about taxes or investing until I was 25. I guess if you are an accountant you would learn some of these things earlier but EVERYONE deals with money for the entirety of their lives so it seems like it would be curriculum in the public school system.

Please stick around. It'd be awesome to have your perspective here!! This board is slower (which IMO is a good thing!) and softer than the MMM forums but a very supportive community offering great advice and motivation!

UncleL1228 · May 2015

als1982 said:

als1982 said:

Current goals: Pay off my H's student loan (currently at $58K), have $100K saved for retirement and $12-$15K as an emergency/bany fund. We hope to have these accomplished in the next 14-18 months. From there, we'll reevaluate. But my ultimate goal is FIRE (financially independent, retired early) - I'm a Mr. Money Mustache follower.

Mr. Money Mustache has been a HUGE influence on how I think about my wife and I's money. It's amazing to me what we learn in school instead of financial wisdom. i.e. I knew what mitochondria did at a cellular level in the 5th grade but didn't learn anything about taxes or investing until I was 25. I guess if you are an accountant you would learn some of these things earlier but EVERYONE deals with money for the entirety of their lives so it seems like it would be curriculum in the public school system.

Please stick around. It'd be awesome to have your perspective here!! This board is slower (which IMO is a good thing!) and softer than the MMM forums but a very supportive community offering great advice and motivation!

UncleL1228 · May 2015

What are some things you have done to flex your frugality muscle? We have cut cable, negotiated wireless internet bill, got a phone plan with republic wireless and have been really pleased

brij2006 · May 2015

My H and I dream together and set goals a lot. It's a huge benefit to our marriage.

1. Get 100% debt free (will be there soon).

2. 6 months emergency fund

3. 15% into retirement

4. Contribute to 529 for our daughter.

5. Finish the remodeling on our home

6. Travel a lot and often

7. Purchase "big kid" furniture for our home. No more college stuff occupying our home.

8. Save to pay cash for a home in the country. Whether we choose to build, or find something we like.

bridejl · May 2015

hoffse said:

UncleL1228 said:

als1982 said:

Current goals: Pay off my H's student loan (currently at $58K), have $100K saved for retirement and $12-$15K as an emergency/bany fund. We hope to have these accomplished in the next 14-18 months. From there, we'll reevaluate. But my ultimate goal is FIRE (financially independent, retired early) - I'm a Mr. Money Mustache follower.

Mr. Money Mustache has been a HUGE influence on how I think about my wife and I's money. It's amazing to me what we learn in school instead of financial wisdom. i.e. I knew what mitochondria did at a cellular level in the 5th grade but didn't learn anything about taxes or investing until I was 25. I guess if you are an accountant you would learn some of these things earlier but EVERYONE deals with money for the entirety of their lives so it seems like it would be curriculum in the public school system.

I agree with this. I really think that a semester of personal finance and a semester of basic civics (ie: branches of government, division of powers, etc.) should be a requirement for high school graduates everywhere. Once you turn 18 you're legally responsible for your money and you have the right to vote. Both of those scare me with the way public education is.

I agree that personal finance should be a required class! But, it needs to be done well. I took a semester of personal finance in high school, and the 2 things I remember from it are 1. how to write a check (I knew this prior to the class, but it stands out to me because it was sososo basic) and 2. that investments compound over time.

Useful info, but there's so much more than that. I actually wish there were personal finance classes in college, or offered through rec departments. Before our wedding we took a marriage & finances seminar, but it was only a couple hours so it only touched the tip of the iceberg...

als1982 · May 2015

UncleL1228 said:
What are some things you have done to flex your frugality muscle? We have cut cable, negotiated wireless internet bill, got a phone plan with republic wireless and have been really pleased

It may sound silly, and to some, extreme, but we just don't spend our money on stuff.

If it isn't absolutely necessary, then we don't spend the money. No new furniture, home decor, appliances, etc. It if still works, there's no need to replace or upgrade.

I think many people today don't understand the difference between a need and a want.

When we do spend money, we always make sure we're getting a deal plus maximizing our purchase, often through a points portal.

My philosophy is spending money on experiences and memories, not physical items that will be forgotten quickly.

hoffse · May 2015

UncleL1228 said:

What are some things you have done to flex your frugality muscle? We have cut cable, negotiated wireless internet bill, got a phone plan with republic wireless and have been really pleased

We travel hack, and I've been getting better and better at it over the last couple of years. I recently scored a deal over Christmas week to visit H's grandma in Belgium (she's 94!). Less than $850 for two round trip tickets to Europe, 7 nights in a hotel, and trip insurance. The trip insurance was more than a quarter of the total price. We're spending 3 days in Germany to visit the Christmas markets, then 5 days in Belgium (including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) to see Mamina.

We also do a pretty good job scoring deals on necessities for our jobs. We both have to dress professionally - lots of suits for H, dresses, heels, etc. for me. We wear these clothes 12 hours/day, so they wear out quickly. Whenever we run into a great deal on work clothes, we jump. I've also learned to sew a bit, so we can make clothes last longer when seams come apart. And I own a sweater shaver and put it to good use few times a year. That was probably the best $8 I've ever spent.

I shop through portals. We are about to remodel our kitchen, and I bought appliances through a shopping portal. I have a $150 check coming from ebates in August.

I like reading Mr. Money Mustache, but we aren't as minimal as he advocates, and I'm fine with that. I've said this before - at some point money is meant to be spent, whether now or in the future. We are usually thoughtful about our purchases and rarely spend impulsively. I used to be a pretty bad impulse shopper, but I've managed to reign that in a lot over the last couple of years. Our primary spending areas are the house and travel. For us, both of those are worth it, even though both tend to be pricey. The house is our living space. Travel gives us amazing experiences. Both of these matter a lot to us. H and I also like our jobs and will probably never fully retire - just because we like what we do. So we don't have to get as super minimal to achieve our financial goals as the true MMM followers do.

TravelJunkie1234 · May 2015

als1982 said:

What are some things you have done to flex your frugality muscle? We have cut cable, negotiated wireless internet bill, got a phone plan with republic wireless and have been really pleased
It may sound silly, and to some, extreme, but we just don't spend our money on stuff. If it isn't absolutely necessary, then we don't spend the money. No new furniture, home decor, appliances, etc. It if still works, there's no need to replace or upgrade. I think many people today don't understand the difference between a need and a want. When we do spend money, we always make sure we're getting a deal plus maximizing our purchase, often through a points portal. My philosophy is spending money on experiences and memories, not physical items that will be forgotten quickly.

This is my mentality too. It took my awhile to get there though. When I was little my family didn't have a lot of money, to the point where we barely had food some days and then when I was around 10 my dad started making good money and my parents ended up over-compensating for all the years of having to go without, and that became our normal.

My parents are now they type who will drop a few hundred/thousand dollars on a purchase on a whim and then stress over how to pay all the bills later (they have next to nothing in savings either). When I first moved out on my own I was encouraged keep up that same lifestyle and did for awhile, but after a few years I opened up my eyes and realized I didn't want to live that way.

UncleL1228 · May 2015

hoffse said:

UncleL1228 said:

What are some things you have done to flex your frugality muscle? We have cut cable, negotiated wireless internet bill, got a phone plan with republic wireless and have been really pleased

We travel hack, and I've been getting better and better at it over the last couple of years. I recently scored a deal over Christmas week to visit H's grandma in Belgium (she's 94!). Less than $850 for two round trip tickets to Europe, 7 nights in a hotel, and trip insurance. The trip insurance was more than a quarter of the total price. We're spending 3 days in Germany to visit the Christmas markets, then 5 days in Belgium (including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) to see Mamina.

We also do a pretty good job scoring deals on necessities for our jobs. We both have to dress professionally - lots of suits for H, dresses, heels, etc. for me. We wear these clothes 12 hours/day, so they wear out quickly. Whenever we run into a great deal on work clothes, we jump. I've also learned to sew a bit, so we can make clothes last longer when seams come apart. And I own a sweater shaver and put it to good use few times a year. That was probably the best $8 I've ever spent.

I shop through portals. We are about to remodel our kitchen, and I bought appliances through a shopping portal. I have a $150 check coming from ebates in August.

I like reading Mr. Money Mustache, but we aren't as minimal as he advocates, and I'm fine with that. I've said this before - at some point money is meant to be spent, whether now or in the future. We are usually thoughtful about our purchases and rarely spend impulsively. I used to be a pretty bad impulse shopper, but I've managed to reign that in a lot over the last couple of years. Our primary spending areas are the house and travel. For us, both of those are worth it, even though both tend to be pricey. The house is our living space. Travel gives us amazing experiences. Both of these matter a lot to us. H and I also like our jobs and will probably never fully retire - just because we like what we do. So we don't have to get as super minimal to achieve our financial goals as the true MMM followers do.

What are some travel hacking techniques? I have an airline miles credit card but that's about as far as my knowledge goes lol

UncleL1228 · May 2015

TravelJunkie1234 said:

als1982 said:

What are some things you have done to flex your frugality muscle? We have cut cable, negotiated wireless internet bill, got a phone plan with republic wireless and have been really pleased
It may sound silly, and to some, extreme, but we just don't spend our money on stuff. If it isn't absolutely necessary, then we don't spend the money. No new furniture, home decor, appliances, etc. It if still works, there's no need to replace or upgrade. I think many people today don't understand the difference between a need and a want. When we do spend money, we always make sure we're getting a deal plus maximizing our purchase, often through a points portal. My philosophy is spending money on experiences and memories, not physical items that will be forgotten quickly.

This is my mentality too. It took my awhile to get there though. When I was little my family didn't have a lot of money, to the point where we barely had food some days and then when I was around 10 my dad started making good money and my parents ended up over-compensating for all the years of having to go without, and that became our normal.

My parents are now they type who will drop a few hundred/thousand dollars on a purchase on a whim and then stress over how to pay all the bills later (they have next to nothing in savings either). When I first moved out on my own I was encouraged keep up that same lifestyle and did for awhile, but after a few years I opened up my eyes and realized I didn't want to live that way.

I had a somewhat similar experience...my family made some serious financial mistakes in my formative years and looking back on my habits in high school and college I really mirrored their ignorance toward money. I am glad that I now a little bit that is helping me get ahead. Cant help but think who else is out there that had a similar experience but is ignorant for one reason or another

als1982 · May 2015

UncleL1228 said:

hoffse said:

UncleL1228 said:

What are some things you have done to flex your frugality muscle? We have cut cable, negotiated wireless internet bill, got a phone plan with republic wireless and have been really pleased

We travel hack, and I've been getting better and better at it over the last couple of years. I recently scored a deal over Christmas week to visit H's grandma in Belgium (she's 94!). Less than $850 for two round trip tickets to Europe, 7 nights in a hotel, and trip insurance. The trip insurance was more than a quarter of the total price. We're spending 3 days in Germany to visit the Christmas markets, then 5 days in Belgium (including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) to see Mamina.

We also do a pretty good job scoring deals on necessities for our jobs. We both have to dress professionally - lots of suits for H, dresses, heels, etc. for me. We wear these clothes 12 hours/day, so they wear out quickly. Whenever we run into a great deal on work clothes, we jump. I've also learned to sew a bit, so we can make clothes last longer when seams come apart. And I own a sweater shaver and put it to good use few times a year. That was probably the best $8 I've ever spent.

I shop through portals. We are about to remodel our kitchen, and I bought appliances through a shopping portal. I have a $150 check coming from ebates in August.

I like reading Mr. Money Mustache, but we aren't as minimal as he advocates, and I'm fine with that. I've said this before - at some point money is meant to be spent, whether now or in the future. We are usually thoughtful about our purchases and rarely spend impulsively. I used to be a pretty bad impulse shopper, but I've managed to reign that in a lot over the last couple of years. Our primary spending areas are the house and travel. For us, both of those are worth it, even though both tend to be pricey. The house is our living space. Travel gives us amazing experiences. Both of these matter a lot to us. H and I also like our jobs and will probably never fully retire - just because we like what we do. So we don't have to get as super minimal to achieve our financial goals as the true MMM followers do.

What are some travel hacking techniques? I have an airline miles credit card but that's about as far as my knowledge goes lol

Check out boardingarea.com

I'm personally a big fan of mommypoints.com

MM and dreams and goals

Re: MM and dreams and goals

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