62 comments

Meet Your Fellow Mustachians (and MMM) in Chicago and Omaha

chicago_nightThe annual Giant MMM Family Summer in Canada is officially over. After 7 weeks of living out of our backpacks, we are heading back West again tomorrow.

While the lady and boy will be dropped off at the Detroit airport so they can luxuriously jet directly to Denver, I have to bring the ol’ van all the way back, alone, which is about a 24 hour drive from here.

But rather than slogging out two torturous 12 hour days broken only by a lonely stay in a cheap motel, I realized there is a much more fun way to cross the country: 3 shorter drives, nicely spaced out with nights on the town with a bunch of Mustachians and even a bit of couch-surfing! Want to get together? Here’s where we’ll be:

Chicago – Thursday August 8th:

Venue: Bangers & Lace, 1670 W. Division, 60622 (bangersandlacechicago.com)
Time: I should get there between 8:30 and 9:00 depending on traffic, others will probably get there earlier.

Omaha – Friday August 9th:

Venue:  Dinker’s Bar in South Central Omaha
Time: 7:00 PM or so
Accomodations: procured – thanks very much for your kind offers!

You can monitor the MMM Twitter feed for last-minute updates if you happen to live in one of these cities and be interested in joining in.

Epilogue: while these gatherings have come and gone, there were some great memories and I’m glad we all got together.

In Chicago, we had about 40 people turn up to the last-minute event and I got to meet financial types, software engineers, and artists. We drank fancy beer, stayed up late, and I crashed in a young attorney’s guest room.

In Omaha, we had perhaps 15 more dedicated Mustachians gathering at a little neighborhood pub. We drank much better-priced beer, ate delicious burgers, and stayed up slightly less late. A reporter for the city’s newspaper (the Omaha World Herald) heard rumors of the event and showed up to ask us all questions, later publishing this story about us.  Perhaps the story even happened to cross Warren Buffett’s desk, since he reportedly reads (and owns) the paper. And to maintain consistency, I crashed in another young attorney’s guest room.

Normal life is now gearing back up here in Colorado and there are some serious stories to be told. Tune in soon!

  • Free Money Minute August 7, 2013, 7:17 pm

    My kind of traveling. With your flexibility, I would stretch it out for a week and see more of the country. You could also stop by my neighborhood in Grand Rapids. Be safe and have fun!

    Reply
    • Rob August 8, 2013, 6:05 am

      I’ll second the request for Grand Rapids. (Beer City USA!) You’re a celebrity in my world MMM, and would be welcomed very warmly in GR!

      Reply
    • KMB August 8, 2013, 6:52 am

      It would be great to host MMM for a GR meetup, but we’re a little out of the way for a cross country trip. You and Downtownshutter should sign up on the mustache map and maybe we can find a few more and have our own meetup.

      https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=208402881636812540732.0004963556ff388e323d1&msa=0&ll=28.149503,-95.625&spn=117.738105,100.371094

      Reply
      • tallgirl1204 August 8, 2013, 10:59 am

        O.k., I’d like to add my pin to the map, but I don’t know how. I signed in on my gmail account but I’m still not successful– can you help this Luddite fly her Flagstaff flag?

        Reply
        • Aaron August 8, 2013, 11:20 am

          After you are signed into your Google account, Ccick the big red EDIT button. Then right click on your location on the map and select “Add placemark”. Change your icon and add description info if you wish, then click “Ok” on the popup window. Then click the gray “Done” button on the left.

          Reply
        • tallgirl1204 August 9, 2013, 9:52 am

          Thanks– I learn something new every day I’m alive. It’s easy once I knew how!

          Reply
      • Mark August 9, 2013, 12:51 pm

        What a cool tool! Thanks to jopaul (I think) for putting that together!

        Reply
    • MaddStache August 9, 2013, 8:33 am

      Wow, I had no idea there were so many of us Grand Rapidian Mustachians! We should definitely host a meet up!

      Reply
  • Kyle August 7, 2013, 7:50 pm

    A bummer that you won’t be staying in the Detroit area, make sure you wave on your way out of town! Safe travels to you and your family.

    Reply
  • Downtownshuter August 7, 2013, 7:52 pm

    Good call about GR, and they have Founders and New Holland. How about a stop there next year MMM?

    I believe Jacob (ERE) is in Chicago now, will be be there? That would be the early retirement dream team!

    I’m kinda surprised you chose bangers and lace, there are cheaper options for good beer and ambiance on the north side of Chicago

    Reply
    • Jen August 7, 2013, 8:43 pm

      I am sure he is not an expert on all things Chicago, and I am sure Bangers and Lace will do just fine.

      Reply
    • Christine August 8, 2013, 12:30 pm

      I looked up Jacob’s email address, and sent him a message about the event, in the off chance he hasn’t heard of it. Perhaps he will show up :)

      Reply
  • Chipamogli August 7, 2013, 8:42 pm

    Bahhh missed you in Ontario but maybe next summer :)

    Reply
  • Michael August 7, 2013, 8:43 pm

    I love driving across the country! Have a great trip.

    Reply
  • Kraig - Young Cheap Living August 7, 2013, 8:44 pm

    MMM,

    You always have a couch to sleep on here in Minneapolis. It’s a great city, I promise.

    Anyway, if those nearby cities weren’t so far from here, I’d come down, but that just wouldn’t make sense for my frugal ways.

    Have a good time on your trip back and enjoy those meetups.

    Reply
  • insourcelife August 7, 2013, 8:56 pm

    Chicago is certainly closer than Canada but yet still very far. Enjoy the meetup, sounds like fun!

    Reply
  • Donovan August 7, 2013, 9:09 pm

    Nooooo, I just moved back to Indy from Chicago on Saturday xp Oh well, have fun everybody.

    Reply
  • Josh August 7, 2013, 9:15 pm

    MMM, stop off in downtown Kalamazoo, halfway between Chicago and Detroit right off I-94, which you’ll be on, and breakfast/lunch/coffee/whatever is on me.

    Reply
  • J August 7, 2013, 10:37 pm

    Got a couch in Kansas City, if you want some variety (I-70 instead of I-80).

    Reply
    • Matt August 8, 2013, 2:40 pm

      Second for Kansas City! I’ll buy you your first round of Oklahoma Joe’s ribs!

      Don’t know about OK Joe’s? Google it, then get in contact when you’re ready to have barbeque that will satisfy you down to your very soul.

      Reply
      • Michael Q August 9, 2013, 8:30 am

        I wanna throw out a 3rd request for KC!

        or Matt and J, where are you guys at?

        Reply
  • AR August 7, 2013, 11:39 pm

    Pitch Pizza in Omaha is fantastic, though maybe a bit too noisy for a meetup (coal fired pizzas, crazy good). Brothers Lounge is also a good spot, more of a pub/bar than restaurant, but cheap drink and a laid back vibe.

    Reply
  • Sebastian August 8, 2013, 1:26 am

    Bangers & Lace seems to be a nice spot, but what prices for beer O_o
    Especialy the german ones: Krombacher for 6$, Sünner Kölsch for 4$ etc.

    The MMM familiy has to come over and see where this good stuff comes from. I’m voting for a meeting in Germany. ;-)

    Reply
    • Viverl August 8, 2013, 2:35 am

      I second the meeting in Germany! :)

      Have fun at your meetings!

      Reply
    • Silvie August 8, 2013, 8:28 am

      Would love a European meet up!

      Reply
    • Nina August 10, 2013, 4:10 am

      I’ll second the idea of having a meeting in Germany, offer one couch in Frankfurt and I’ll add a visitor’s trip through a local brewery ;-)
      Including tasting the fine brew after seeing all the facilities…

      Reply
  • KevinG August 8, 2013, 5:59 am

    Hmm, is it worth coming down from Milwaukee tonite?

    I think I shall have to pass. Have fun y’all.

    Reply
  • Sam August 8, 2013, 6:06 am

    Stop by Kalamazoo, and we’ll have lunch.

    Reply
  • Sergey August 8, 2013, 6:16 am

    I live like 70 miles away from Omaha. Is it anti-mustachian to drive that far? :)

    Reply
    • Derek August 8, 2013, 10:14 am

      Make it a 2 day trip and bike it?!?

      Reply
      • Sergey August 8, 2013, 10:44 am

        Nope, I’m a wussy :) Never tried biking that far, shame on me.

        Reply
        • Derek August 12, 2013, 3:09 pm

          Me either, the farthest I think I’ve done is 20 miles in one day.

          Reply
    • EMP August 8, 2013, 12:31 pm

      I’m about 50 miles out and I’m in the same camp. :(

      Just seems a little clown like to pack the baby in the car given my current debt emergency. Maybe next time.

      Reply
      • Sergey August 8, 2013, 3:04 pm

        I’m coming from the south on US-75. Need a ride?

        Reply
        • EMP August 8, 2013, 4:48 pm

          I’m in the east, but I appreciate the offer! Maybe next year, eh?

          Reply
  • debtfreeoneday August 8, 2013, 6:48 am

    Wow that sounds like a lot of fun! Enjoy your road trip!

    Reply
  • James August 8, 2013, 6:52 am

    You’re always welcome in Pittsburgh, if you ever come this far east.

    Reply
  • Patrick August 8, 2013, 7:04 am

    Nooo! I’ll be near Chicago the 9th – 11th. Will just miss you. Drive safe.

    Reply
  • Luck12 August 8, 2013, 8:56 am

    I’m going to make this! And my friend may come along with me.

    Reply
  • J August 8, 2013, 8:59 am

    Bangers and Lace is fantastic. Although their beer is a tad on the pricey side, they have some fairly eclectic stuff. How late will this go, if I’m there by 945-10 will it still be on?

    Reply
  • Steve August 8, 2013, 9:03 am

    I’m guessing you’re driving I-80 but you’ve got a reader in Sioux Falls, SD if you’re ever on I-90!

    Reply
  • Ilya August 8, 2013, 9:40 am

    See you in Chicago tonight!

    Reply
  • AJDZee August 8, 2013, 11:02 am

    It’s too bad I missed out on Canadian meet up, Ottawa was too far from T.O. Oh well, maybe next year!

    Cheers!

    Reply
  • Giddings Plaza FI August 8, 2013, 11:06 am

    Darn it! I live in Chicago for 6 or 8 weeks each year, but just not on the weekend you’re visiting. I’m running the Chicago Half on Sept 8–come back then. Watching someone cross the finish line is a free activity!

    Reply
  • Sarah August 8, 2013, 11:11 am

    I hope you come to the east coast and visit those of us in the Nations Capital!!! Oh and by the way…as of yesterday I am OUT OF DEBT! Thanks to you and all the other mustachians for your ideas and encouragement!!

    Reply
    • Becky August 8, 2013, 7:23 pm

      I second coming to DC!

      Reply
  • Debt Blag August 8, 2013, 12:29 pm

    Sounds like you guys are going to have an amazing time. Can’t wait for this to come to New York!

    Reply
  • Megan August 8, 2013, 1:57 pm

    Why oh why did you have to come through Omaha on my hubby’s b-day?? I think he’s going to veto the meet up as he is working on plans to meet friends for dinner in Lincoln :'(
    If you want a yummy breakfast on your way out I know a cute local place on your way out :)

    Reply
  • Tim McAleenan August 8, 2013, 5:45 pm

    Hey Mr. Money Mustache.

    I think you should consider putting up a Google Adsense banner ad at the top of your website, between your logo and the tabs.

    Most likely, that would generate two-tenths of a cent per page view. You’re looking at what, four hundred thousand page views per day? That would add $33 to MMM coffers every hour. That ad would be earning the functional equivalent of 4-5 McDonalds cashiers…that never stopped working. On a pre-tax, annualized basis, we’re talking $292,000 in annual income. If a reader wrote to you and said that he could easily add a middle-class home’s worth of income to his annual salary, and the only potential drawback is a minor eyesore and a sliver of extra mouse scrolling, you would rightfully mock the person for even thinking about not doing it.

    Even if you have no desire to spend that money on yourself, think about the scholarships, soup kitchen meals, and so on you could fund if you took that extra $300,000 each year, invested it, and gave it away in a massive act of end-of-life charity.

    It’s low hanging fruit. It’s easy money you could make that could have very substantial effects on the lives of your fellow man, and I hope it’s something you consider.

    Either way, you’re the man. Your site rocks, and has positively changed the lives of thousands of people. Keep kicking ass and God Bless.

    Reply
    • Becky August 8, 2013, 7:26 pm

      I like that his ads are at the bottom.

      Reply
  • Anne August 8, 2013, 8:30 pm

    I’m pretty disappointed that you didn’t let us know you would be in Detroit. Do you think no Mustachians live here?

    Reply
  • Tofu Casserole August 8, 2013, 8:44 pm

    Noooo! I would have gone if I had found out about this earlier. Next time you’re in town please give a bit more than a day’s advance notice. I’m sure there are other avid mustachians who don’t make a point to check for a new post every single day and would have loved to stop by.

    Reply
  • City Girl Country Bloke August 8, 2013, 8:46 pm

    Seriously? I’m leaving Omaha on Friday at 2 pm!! Bummer. Would love to meet you in person and drink some beers. Lemme know when you are in the DC area! I’ve got plenty of room for all the MMMs and we would love to have all of you over. Plus, free accommodation while visiting all the wonders of DC! (-;

    Reply
  • Jim August 8, 2013, 10:57 pm

    Rats, I’m too late! That’s what I get for not plugging-in incessantly. Safe travels!

    Reply
  • No Waste August 9, 2013, 7:51 am

    I’ll be there in spirit.

    Reply
  • Rick August 9, 2013, 8:57 am

    Stopped by Bangers and Lace at about 11:30pm, must have just missed you all, bummer! Have a safe rest of the trip!

    Reply
  • Rich August 9, 2013, 12:38 pm

    Dang. I didn’t see this until today. I’m just an hour outside Chicago and might have been able to make it last night.

    Maybe next time you’re passing through you could give us more than 24 hours’ notice? :)

    Reply
  • David B. August 9, 2013, 1:41 pm

    Man I have to check this more often, or subscribe to twitter, could have made it downtown yesterday. Well hopefully there is another chance sometime!

    Reply
  • Meg August 12, 2013, 12:50 pm

    *sigh* I don’t suppose you’ll be detouring through NYC any time soon, will you?

    Reply
  • Alice August 13, 2013, 12:21 pm

    Sad I missed this! I hope you have another one in Chicago!!

    Reply
  • Benjamin Brinkman February 1, 2014, 11:49 pm

    I’m in Omaha and I’ve been lurking for a while (since before this was posted) and I can’t believe I missed this!

    Reply

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