Quote:
Originally Posted by bootsnixon
Interesting thread. The lifestyle/past times you enjoy play a big factor. MMM gets off on being frugal and others enjoy nice cars and skiing/golfing. I fall in the middle in regards to lifestyle expenses. Not because of the price, but because it's what I enjoy doing and that's what life is all about right?
One thing that has really lowered my lifestyle expenses is kijiji. It's been a game changer for me. I try kijiji first for just about everything over $50 in value. I know some people can't be bothered with it but I've found that lots of things are now basically free save for some lost opportunity costs with money being tied up. Want to go jetskiing? Buy a couple older ones on kijiji and sell them a couple years later when you're done with them for the same price you paid for them. I've done it with a few things. Lawnmowers, sleds, quads and travel trailers, I've done. Seems like a lot of things reach a bottom value and as long as you look after them, they stay the same value. If you buy some 1995 travel trailer for $4 or $5 grand, I'm confidant it will be worth the same in 5 years. Having such a liquid market for all these items is awesome and can really lower lifestyle costs.
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I agree - kijiji is an easy way to save money on virtually everything. Heck, you can even buy houses on there.
I love saving money but I refuse to eat kraft dinner for the rest of my life and I will always make travel a priority. Is that a waste? Maybe to some, but I don't think so.
I guess the whole concept of early retirement depends on what you consider retiring. Everyone has a different definition. In the case of MMM he quit his day job to do carpentry full time and has a website that earns $100k annually - which I assume requires a ton of work - 40 hours a week. Is that retiring? Maybe, but most would simply consider it a career change.