14 comments

Mustache Really on the Move: Heading to Canada for the Summer

Dear Mustachians,

Thank you so much for all the fun and motivation you’ve provided for both me and your fellow readers so far. We have a lot more adventures in Wealth to experience together.

I just wanted to let you know that I’m leaving today for the big annual trip to Canada (the Great lakes region of it specifically, including Hamilton and Ottawa). We’ve been going every year since retirement began, usually for 4-6 weeks in total. Families and friends mix and grandparents and grandchildren play. So at the very moment any up-to-date readers are reading this, I am probably zooming Eastwards on Interstate 80, crossing Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, and then Ontario. Cool, Eh?

Each year I like to throw in a major construction project for a family member or friend to keep myself entertained on such a long trip. I call it “Carpentourism”. So I bring up a carload of specialized tools to supplement whatever I can borrow once I get there. This year’s project is a fantastic little lakeside cottage that the inlaws had built up to the rough-in stage over the winter. I get to do the entire interior finish job including a kitchen, bathroom, and all sorts of fancy woodwork and doors, as well as all the various fixtures. Some of the work will be done alongside a nephew who just grew up to reach Little Man status this year, and even my brother (who, as a bit of trivia for you, happens to be the Canadian Indie Rock Star Wax Mannequin).

All of this travel will surely provide plenty of new fodder for the MMM cannon during the trip. But of course, the posting schedule will become somewhat more random. This cottage will take many hours of work, and there is also beer to be drunk, and the uneasy freedom of No Constant Iphone Internet Access that comes with being in a foreign country.

So, keep visiting and writing in, read some of the old classic articles if you find there are no new ones on a given day, and have a great summer!

  • ermine June 25, 2011, 10:11 am

    Sounds fantastic – after your busy posting schedule so far you deserve a seriously Mustachian break. Enjoy!

    Reply
  • Heh June 25, 2011, 12:30 pm

    So Canada will interrupt your usual scheduled programming? Like Cartman, then, I blame Canada. ;-) Kidding. Have a fun time.

    Reply
  • Rainbow Rivers June 25, 2011, 4:56 pm

    Sounds like tons of fun! You can always stop in for coffee on your way through Michigan LOL

    Reply
  • Dee June 26, 2011, 7:22 pm

    Foreign country? I thought you were one of us! You may be perpetuating the stereotype that the entire country is made up of back woods with spotty to non-existent cell phone and internet access…. Sounds like you will be having a very handy vacation. Have a great time!

    Reply
  • Kevin M June 27, 2011, 10:49 am

    Have fun, MMM. Sounds like a terrific vacation, love the term “Carpentourism”.

    Reply
  • Alan July 20, 2011, 11:39 am

    I’m from Hamilton, ON! And I love Wax Mannequin! Small world. A local star.
    Keep up the good blogging. And if you need to borrow tools for a project, maybe I could hook you up.
    Best,

    Alan

    Reply
  • Peter January 5, 2012, 2:44 pm

    You were traveling westwards from Colorado to the great lakes?
    Sorry to be that guy :-)

    Reply
    • MMM January 24, 2012, 10:45 pm

      Oops, I just noticed that too and fixed it. Otherwise it would be a 22,000 mile journey instead of 2,000 miles.

      Reply
  • Kelly July 2, 2013, 4:27 pm

    I just wanted to say
    A) I just discovered your site and am reading voraciously.
    B) I am also a Canadian, living in Ottawa originally from Burlington.
    C) I just read this post and am blown away because I used to watch your brother at the Staircase and Casbah in Hamilton = small world.
    Thank you for sharing your insights. I look forward to reading the rest of these posts and hope they can help me even more frugal than I already am.

    Reply
  • johnadamian February 22, 2014, 9:48 am

    I’ve been devouring this blog over the past couple days but my first comment is to say Wax Mannequin! Super rad! Always respect the musicians who continue to visit us lonely little folks in Atlantic Canada!

    Reply
  • Shane May 9, 2014, 9:53 pm

    Discovered your blog about 12 hours ago and absolutely love it. To find out you are the brother of Wax Mannequin has taken this experience to another level. Nobody’s paid the price like that man has paid the price (he’s paid the price thrice). Quite a contrast to your frugal ways. Godspeed.

    Reply
  • CarrDesjar August 17, 2014, 6:40 pm

    If you’re cruising through Michigan (I94 possibly?) you’ve got to stop in Kalamazoo. Go to Bell’s Eccentric Cafe & order a beer. Any beer, they’re all real tasty. Kalamazoo is a wonderful little town & Bell’s brews some AMAZING shit. Oberon is their summer seasonal and my favorite. Mustaches rule!!! That is all.

    Reply
  • Fidawg September 14, 2015, 10:48 pm

    This is my favourite website. I immediately started at the first article and am learning so much (also laughing a lot). Since finding this site, I got rid of my brand new vehicle and am now driving a 2001 Echo. I also finally pulled my head out of my ass and made a budget that will have my LOC paid off in 10 months WITH EASE. After that, look out mortgage!

    Looking forward to the 2012 postings,
    Fidawg

    Sidebar: This post was a real game changer as I now understand that Wax Mannequin IS YOUR BROTHER. That makes so much sense.

    Reply
  • Emilie April 16, 2019, 11:51 am

    Just wanted to drop a line to let you know how much I have enjoyed reading your blog. It’s inspired me to tighten up the purse stings and I have found I’ve become much happier.
    I live in Hamilton, o I found it interesting that you visit the area. I recently purchased a home and plan to do all renos myself. A huge undertaking because I have zero experience! I think with the internet and youtube, I should be able to try my hand at some DIY tasks. Do you have any posts regarding home renos or projects you have done on your own to save money?

    Reply

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