185 comments

Got a Serious Goal? Make it Public.

I, Mr. Money Mustache, am going to gain twenty pounds of muscle mass, AND set a lifetime bench-pressing record…by March 21st, 2013!

You heard it here first, and now I absolutely have to get it done, to avoid an incredible public ridicule and loss of credibility. I’m both nervous and excited as I type this, because I know there is no turning back, and I’m really looking forward to reaching the goal.

There are many useful tips in the old toolkit of traditional self-help tricks. Most of them sound cheesy, but a good portion of them are pretty darned effective. Thinking Big. Optimism. Learning from other successful people. Shedding the burden of stress. They don’t sound all that scientific or academic, so smart people like us have a habit of wrinkling our noses and dismissing them as oversimplifications not suitable for our sophisticated psyches. But we do so at our own peril, because academic-sounding or not, some of the stuff works. And we can get a lot more fun out of life if we can learn to tweak our own mental habits by putting some of these tricks to work.

And so we get to today’s tweak: The Publicly Proclaimed Goal. Why is it so powerful? Why is it worth embracing?

For many of the things we do in life, no particular goals are required. We all go to sleep when we’re tired and wake up in the morning. Most of us manage to keep the fridge stocked, get to work on time, spend time with our friends, and take vacations each year. I can see that making time to read Mr. Money Mustache is proving to be fairly easy for you as well. For anything that is already going just fine, goal-setting may seem unnecessary.

But then there are the troublesome areas. Perhaps you have wrestled with eating, smoking or drinking problems for years. Maybe you’ve wanted to learn a musical instrument or a language, find yourself a better job, or relocate to a better town. And while the desire has been there for a long time, you mysteriously find yourself not acting on it for years on end. Excuses pile up, or unsatisfying filler activities pour in to fill up the space in your life that could easily be used to accomplish the bigger goals.

This is a potentially serious problem, because it’s a form of wasting your life. Your personal “dream” goals are probably more important than the daily habits you’ve formed. Is spending more time car-commuting, scrolling through Facebook or watching TV sports more important than achieving the things you dream about?

To get these elusive things to happen, you may just need a psychological plateau-breaker. Something to shake up your internal Excusitis Cocktail and spur you into a pattern of action that gets you towards your goal. And as it turns out, developing a habit of small but frequent action that moves you in the right direction is all it takes to accomplish just about anything, given sufficient time.

I’ve got plenty of unsatisfied goals circulating around in my own head, most of them related to music. My often-stated goal of being the drummer in a local funk band is no closer to happening than it was the last time I stated it. My skills on the guitar remain similarly rusty. The common factor in all of these things is that I never take action on them. Other things always seem to take precedence over organizing rocknroll nights where people make music together. The results reflect the lack of effort.

Other things seem to work out just fine. I manage to do plenty of bike riding, because I’m out of the habit of using the car. I have no choice but to go out on the bike, because it’s the only way to get my son to school and to get myself to and from the grocery store. So I either bike, or I sit at home starving while my child misses school. Similarly, eating well is pretty easy – I only buy food that is good for you, so when it’s mealtime at the MMM household, you either fix yourself a healthy meal, or you starve. I do plenty of writing on this blog, because the feedback from the real world (You) makes it seem rewarding and urgent to make at least an article or two every week.

These external motivations are powerful forces that allow habits to be built. Meanwhile, my failed musical habits are allowed to continue because nobody shows up at my house every Friday night with guitar and bass in hand expecting to rock.

So today I’d like to try an experiment in motivation, by turning an internal semi-motivation into an external MegaMotivation. And you’re welcome to join me, if there’s anything YOU would like to accomplish this winter.

Right now, I really want to gain some strength and weight. Although I claim to be a weight-training enthusiast, the truth is that I have been slacking off and fooling myself for quite some time. I reached my peak strength way back in my early 30s, with a body weight of just over 200 pounds, maximum bench press of 285 and squat of 360. Although those are far from NFL player numbers, I felt they were a good start for a nerdy computer engineer.

Then I slacked off and started letting other things replace the training schedule. I fooled myself into thinking I was still lifting regularly, but every time I checked the calendar, it had been about a week since the last workout. But nobody was watching and I didn’t have any particular strength goals, so the pattern continued. I changed my eating style and lost quite a bit of fat, and the new lean body seemed preferable to the old stronger but stockier arrangement. Life seemed fine.

However, reality recently caught up to me. I started getting random cases of “old man back” – a sore lower back might spring up after carrying a garbage can full of rocks or sleeping in the wrong position. I started moving from “lean” to “downright bony in places”, my old pants started to look extremely loose, and my strength started dropping along with my bodyweight, which reached a low of 165 pounds. Slowly but surely, I have been turning into a wimp.

So today I turn to External Motivation to solve this problem. A man of my age has many reasons to maintain a reasonable amount of strength. Having a strong back and core prevents annoying pulled muscles and especially back problems. It makes me a more effective carpenter, since many of the operations on a construction project require all the strength you can muster. And it prevents injuries – a snowboarding or bicycle crash can be a debilitating hospital experience for an unfit and bony or overweight rider, or a comical bouncing experience for the amusement of your friends, with appropriate physical conditioning.

On top of that, I have been summoned to appear as Mr. Money Mustache in a possible (but far from definite) TV series. MMM is a bossy and authoritative character, and he needs to have a BIG physical presence to back it up if he is to make an impression on the television screens of ordinary Americans and frighten them into action.

So I hereby propose an experiment. To gain strength and size faster than I ever have in my life, and set an all-time lifting record even at a lower bodyweight. I have to get it done, because I told you I’m going to do it.

The nuts-and-bolts of it are just two really heavy workouts per week at the local Crossfit gym under the uncompromising gaze of the massively strong (and extravagantly Mustachioed) “Coach D.”, and a third weekend workout at home. Combined with plenty of bike riding, and plenty of calories. Here is the goal, by the numbers.

MeasurementCurrent Status (Nov 5)Goal (March 21)
Body Weight (lbs)165185+
Max. Bench Press235300
Max. Squat245 (est)300
Max. Deadlift250 (est)300
Bodyfat Percentage (estimated)910 or less

 MMM CHALLENGE:

Do YOU have a pesky goal that you just want to GET GOING on, right now? If you write it in the comments section below, we will all keep track of it and make sure you’re honoring your commitment. On March 21st, I will come back and check up on you, and your success (or, very unlikely, failure) will be shared with the world in that future article.

MMM SUPER-CHALLENGE!

Mr. Money Mustache (left) on the first day of training with coach James D. 20 pounds of gaining to go! (Yes, Coach D does actually have a foot-long braided Mustache)

Do YOU live in the Longmont, Colorado area and want to train alongside me in this mega-ultra-fitness overhaul? I’ll be working out at the Twin Freaks Crossfit every Tuesday and Thursday at 3:30PM with the Almighty Coach D. You can join our exclusive class and make progress faster than you ever have in your life. Crossfit fees will cost you $100 a month (pay as you go), which is expensive. But I’m paying the fee gladly to make a big change in a short time, and it’s an external commitment that makes sure I won’t let myself down. Get in touch through the contact button, or talk to James at Twin Freaks Crossfit to join the class.

Proclaiming your goals in public really gets you off your butt to accomplish them. The only question is: do you have the guts to do it, when there’s no turning back?

 

  • Llama November 13, 2012, 11:46 am

    My goals:

    Get the website off the ground! To do this, I need to learn how to make one. So that’s 2 in 1.
    Ride my bike in to work twice a week! I haven’t in months, and for no good reason.
    Get a new job! I have no reason to still be working in this dungeon. I feel like I’ve actually gotten dumber in the last year or 2. I certainly haven’t learned any new skills lately.
    Finish all of the half- and 3/4- done projects taking up space in the house and garage. This needs to happen by Dec 31. And the nearly refinished table in the garage needs to be done by Sunday! Why has it taken me 2 months to slap a second coat of varnish on the damned thing?

    I’m excited. Let’s get shit done!

    Reply
  • George November 13, 2012, 11:47 am

    MMM, Congratulations on your possible TV deal!

    Hopefully, you can cite the readership on this blog as evidence to a potential television show producer that there is a public interest and demand for your advice.

    Working out definitely will help you as well because most entertainment companies want people who are in shape on their stations.

    Who knows maybe TV will be the next chapter in your career.

    Reply
  • superbien November 13, 2012, 12:43 pm

    I have 4 goals, split between finances and body:
    1) To pay off the last $1,000 of debt in the next 2 months
    2) To build back up my emergency fund to 6 months worth
    3) To work with a therapist on toxic body image messages I carry inside my head, and AFTER that
    4) Get to a healthier weight/size

    Reply
  • EngGirl November 13, 2012, 1:01 pm

    I’m going to start running again on December 1st (pending physiotherapist approval). I’m an avid runner, but I had to take a little hiatus – while biking to work on September 27th I got hit by a car (he was turning right on a red and apparently didn’t see me in my flourescent clothing). The only thing that I’ve been able to do for exercise since then is physio exercises, swimming, and some mild yoga. My challenge is to push myself to run (which is hard, because my knee is still sore and I have put on some weight due to inactivity), but not push myself hard enough to prolong recovery. A chance to increase my mental strength as well as my physical strength! By March 21st I want to be back at my usual 5 days a week run schedule.

    Reply
  • Joel November 13, 2012, 1:15 pm

    “a … bicycle crash can be … a comical bouncing experience for the amusement of your friends, with appropriate physical conditioning.”

    Oh I’ve done that one before!

    Reply
  • hands2work November 13, 2012, 1:58 pm

    I’ll set two as well MMM, but mine are separate. I would like to lose 30 pounds (although my goal is by May, so I won’t be quite there yet. AND I want to get my banjo out of the closet and actually learn to play it. There I said it. Now I just wish I could come jam with you in Longmont!

    Reply
  • hands2work November 13, 2012, 2:03 pm

    Reply
  • Gavin November 13, 2012, 2:17 pm

    My strength goals for 2013 are to Squat 400lbs x 5, Deadlift 485 x 5, Bench Press 300 x 5 and over head press 220 x 5. My immediate goal, however, is to drop my weight from 97kg to 89.9kg by the 20th of January. I am posting update pictures on my site which is a big motivator. If I don’t hit my goals, pictures of a fat dude, and record of my failure will be cached by google for all eternity.

    Reply
  • addieforshort November 13, 2012, 2:17 pm

    I just started making my goal (losing 30 lbs before I turn 30) public. I’ve been telling anyone who offers me junk food, sweets, etc that I “have goals”. I started October 25, and so far I’ve lost almost 10 lbs.

    Here’s to public goals!

    Reply
  • Samantha November 13, 2012, 2:22 pm

    I am going to have paid down half of my mortgage by the end of March 2013.

    Announcing it doesn’t really change anything for me – I am on a plan and this is the projection if all goes well AND I get a little overtime.

    I would also like to lose 15 lbs, but I’m not as committed to that goal as the mortgage goal.

    Reply
  • Nathan November 13, 2012, 3:33 pm

    All right, I’m in. I will do a one-arm chin-up by March 21, 2013, from a dead hang. I could do one starting with a bent arm in college, but that was 15 years ago. Never done one from a dead hang.

    Reply
    • Mr. Money Mustache November 13, 2012, 5:20 pm

      Now there’s a neat physical goal. I’ve always wanted to do this as well – I wonder how many standard pull-ups are roughly equal, strength-wise, to a single-arm pull-up? I guess they are different goals, but you could train for both by doing pullups with increasingly heavy backpacks full of barbell plates. And some negatives with the individual arms. Hmmmm..

      Reply
      • Nathan November 14, 2012, 3:31 pm

        Yep, those are the two main training exercises I have in mind. I’ll also want to strengthen forearms and core. I don’t know much muscle physiology, but I figure I need to work on power over endurance–that is to say that perhaps even very high reps wouldn’t equate to the power needed for even a single one-arm. But that’s just speculation. I need to do some reading. And working out. …I just read that 2-3 reps of regular pull-ups with 2/3 additional body weight strapped on is a good sign you’re close. Kids, grab a leg!

        Reply
  • Kathleen @ Frugal Portland November 13, 2012, 3:41 pm

    One pull up by the end of this year — I better get on it!

    Reply
  • Phil November 13, 2012, 4:15 pm

    Bring It On!!!

    My Goal is to drop 25kg (55 pounds to you!) by 1 March, get me back to my fighting fit weight. It’s time to do this!

    Reply
  • Heidi November 13, 2012, 5:36 pm

    I’m picking up P90X, and I’m going to finish it. I’m not going to set any specific fitness goals, I’m just going to finish it. I’m going to try to do the diet regimen, too, but that will be the cheese on the burger. And if in the end I fit into my jeans a little better and I’m able to do 50 push-ups in under a minute, well…that will be the bacon on the deluxe.

    I’ll be blogging about it, too…that’s my accountability partner right there.

    Reply
    • Danny November 18, 2012, 2:07 pm

      I’m doing P90X for the same reason. Got to day 42 the first time and unfortunately wasn’t able to finish. Anyway, just finished day 3. Wish you the best of luck getting through it all!

      Reply
  • Ottawa November 13, 2012, 6:02 pm

    Alright – I’m in! I want to be able to build some extreme endurance onto my normal strength routine. So, in addition to my normal workouts I want to build myself up to 100 consecutive (proper form) push ups by a February 1st deadline! I tested myself today and was able to squeak out 25. I can do it!

    Reply
    • Ottawa January 31, 2013, 12:54 pm

      I didn’t do it! I completed my ‘final’ test today following 10 weeks of hard work. I was able to achieve 57 consecutive pushups. This represents a 228% increase. I’m a fairly consistent lifter of weights and was a little concerned during this challenge that my strength would decrease; especially since I dropped the weights altogether about 4 weeks in when it became clear that the pushup routine required significant recovery in and of themselves!

      Surprisingly, this turned out to be totally false! I tried some incline and flat dumbell pressing exercises today and found I was about the same strength-wise only better! Better insofar as I had exhibited ‘super human’ recovery between heavy sets. Thus, the endurance/strength training transfer associated with pushups has really been positive! I also noticed that I lost 4.5 pounds and bodyfat went from 10.1% to 9.3%! While the overall results are certainly not bad, I will continue with this challenge until I achieve the goal of 100 consecutive pushups.

      Reply
  • pathdoc November 13, 2012, 6:41 pm

    Alright I’m in too!

    Although I’ve been close before, I’ve never had a low enough body fat percentage to ever see my abs.

    Wouldn’t it be great for one to actually know what his or her own abs look like? Are they symmetrical (like Brad Pitt)? Or are they offset (like Mario Lopez)? I want to know!

    I’m 38 years old with a sedentary desk job, currently at 15-20% body fat, judging by the pictures you linked to above at builtlean.com. By March 21st, 2013, I’ll send you a pic of my abs, and you can judge whether they fall within the 8-10% body fat range (abs easily visible). Good luck to us all!

    Reply
  • snacks November 13, 2012, 6:51 pm

    I’m also in! My goals are to:

    1) get rid of 500 more things (which should take the fam. to well over 1,000 items donated or sold since summer)

    and

    2) start a blog

    Thanks for the motivation and inspiration!!

    Reply
  • Jessica November 13, 2012, 10:00 pm

    I started working towards my goal three weeks ago and *should* accomplish it before your date but the holidays will be challenging but I’m pretty good at setting and meeting goals. I started at 171.5 lbs and looking to be 145. I’m currently 163 so 8.5 lbs down, 18 lbs to go!

    Reply
  • Jake Hess November 13, 2012, 11:11 pm

    I am looking to pedal my way from 180 to 160 by 3-21-13. I suppose I need a scale…Its on, Lets do this

    Reply
  • G.B. @ In Budgets We Trust November 13, 2012, 11:24 pm

    I want to complete the 100-pushup-challenge. I even have a free app on my phone that walks me through the training regimen, but I always drop off around week 2. I’ve also started experiencing a lot of back pain (from poor posture and too much sitting) and I think the core strengthening benefits of pushups could help… with the added bonus of giving me super sexy triceps for my wedding day ;)

    the pushup regimen is here: http://hundredpushups.com/#sthash.mbXrYgJg.dpbs

    Reply
  • Joakim November 14, 2012, 2:49 am

    My goal is that by that date to have completed an extra math class on top of the other classes i will be doing

    Reply
  • James @ Free in Ten Years November 14, 2012, 4:10 am

    Awesome goal. I have to say that my man-crush on you will be significantly larger if you add 20 pounds of muscle to your frame. This also reminds me that I desperately need to get back on the fitness wagon.

    Reply
  • bcg150 November 14, 2012, 4:41 am

    I will throw my hat in the ring as well. I just recently purchased a bicycle and have been partaking in the bicycle month challenges in the forums but I will set a goal to go along with this thread. On March 21st 2013 I will have ridden my bike for a total of 304 miles. This will translate into 4 days a week of commuting to work. If something keeps me from riding during the week then I will have to do some pleasure riding on the weekend to hit my goals.

    Reply
  • Jordan November 14, 2012, 9:46 am

    I want to lose 2 inches off my waist by March 21. I’m good on the exercise front but need to watch what I eat.

    Reply
  • Statistical Deviant November 14, 2012, 3:50 pm

    Great post MMM!
    I was having troubling getting started on exactly this. My goal is to reduce body fat to 10% but the end of the year.

    I put on too much body fat after my previous exams…

    Will post up current measurements as soon as I do them.

    Reply
  • LB @ Finanical Black Sheep November 14, 2012, 6:18 pm

    Holy freak, you live in my area! Jeez, we should meet up for coffee and talk money. That would be awesome!

    As for goals, I don’t have any that would require me to be bulky, sorry, but even though I talk about football, I am a girl and I like to stay lean and mean. I already ran my first race and am training for more later, but none of that requires me to do the workouts you plan on.

    As for other goals, I do agree that posting them keeps you on track. I have them all listed on my blog, because of that. Stay in school, pay for it in full, stay out of debt, and save, nothing too drastic. Good luck with the workouts!

    Reply
  • Brian Van Peski November 14, 2012, 11:43 pm

    Great Post and best of luck ony our goal!

    If you want a little extra social motivation or just a fun way to track workouts, I’ve really been enjoying fitocracy (http://ftcy.me/mRrGvE). You can track your workout routines, PRs, earn badges/points, compete against other fitness enthusiasts, etc. It’s been a great tool for me in my fitness goals.

    Reply
  • Natalia R November 15, 2012, 4:31 pm

    Hi first of all I have 2 goals:
    1.My goal is to run the Hollywood Half Marathon in April 6th, 2013… Since I had never run any race in my life before this will be a great challenge for me. I currently start cross fitting as well.
    2. Start writing in my blog more! since I already took all the trouble of installing WordPress from scratch, converting my mini laptop in my own server, this without any previous knowledge of “IT” . But still DID IT AND IT WORK!

    Reply
  • MMM (ultralite version) November 15, 2012, 5:59 pm

    I have been reading the blog since nearly day 1 but this is my first comment. I am Mr Money Mustache’s age, have saved a significant amount, enjoy carpentry, own the same minivan and don’t believe in clothing that costs more than 10 bucks. Haven’t had the mental fortitude to retire though…

    I am a total believer in the public goal. 12 months ago I was fat, out of shape with a bad back. I emailed everyone I knew that I was going to do a half ironman this fall. Lets just say that I spent a lot of late nights running in the dark regretting that email not to mention suffering through crossfit workouts. But sure enough I did the race and am as fit as I have been in 20 years.

    Goal for March: First Marathon and bench press 200, squat 220 (man do I hate squats)

    Reply
    • Mr. Money Mustache November 15, 2012, 7:27 pm

      Wow! So glad to hear about your existence, Alternative Me! Congratulations on the kickass physical accomplishments so far.. and looking forward to hearing about your eventual early retirement (come on man, you’re over 7 years behind!!).

      Reply
  • Gav November 20, 2012, 8:00 pm

    check out the book ‘The New Rules of Lifting’.

    (not spam, just a sports coach sharing his thoughts)

    Reply
  • Matt Alden November 27, 2012, 4:09 pm

    Good luck with the training.

    I’m working on similar goals. Currently at bodyweight 140lbs (5’9″, skinny), with approx 180 max bench, 185 squat, 280 deadlift. I’d like to be around 150lbs by March with 200 max bench and 315+ deadlift.

    I think you’re underestimating your deadlift potential, MMM. The fact that your deadlift is similar in weight to your bench press is likely due to being more trained in bench (since everyone benches and not everyone deadlifts). So if you train your whole body through March, it’s unlikely that your bench, squat, and deadlift will all be at 300. If you meet your goal of being 185 and benching upwards of 300, then your deadlift will probably be much higher if you train it proportionally.

    Reply
    • Mr. Money Mustache November 28, 2012, 1:33 am

      Wow! That’s an amazing deadlift for a 140-lb guy!

      But you’re right – now that I’ve done about seven of these killer workouts, deadlift is increasing quickly and I can see it going way over 300 by that time (I had never done that exercise regularly, which I now realize was foolish). Body weight is up about 7.5 pounds and everything is progressing nicely and feeling very healthy. I should have done this long ago!

      Reply
  • Sunshine November 29, 2012, 4:49 pm

    I have been thinking about how I what to change several things in my life and just how to go about doing them. With the biggest challenge being where to begin… Then my wonderful son sends me this blog. He is reading it from the beginning to the present and I am reading it from the present back.
    Although I have many things I want to change in a short time frame, I have decided to make the first goal going from 166.8 lbs to 145 lbs by March 21, 2013. A difficult but not impossible task when you have a Thyroid issue.
    ~

    Reply
  • Ottawa SoBe December 1, 2012, 8:12 pm

    2006 New Year’s Resolution: Decided to run the National Capital Marathon (late May). As a healthy person, but non-runner, I went around telling everyone that I was going to run it. Had lots of nay-sayers and many that didn’t care, of course. But telling everyone helped me get out and run those dark days of -20 (Celsius). (Running on the frozen Rideau Canal at – 5, no wind and a brilliant sun shining off the ice was fantastic though.) Anyway, ran the marathon, slower than my target time, but finished strong and proud of pushing myself. Telling everyone definitely helped the motivation.

    Reply
  • Victoria @ Lend Not Borrow December 4, 2012, 1:06 pm

    Making goals public is totally the way to go!!!! People want to know your progress and how you get through the tough patches and you have someone to hold you accountable…a win-win situation. Love it….thanks for sharing:-)

    Reply
  • Travis January 12, 2013, 2:58 pm

    check out http://www.beeminder.com, it’s a great way to commit to “progress” and they put a really cool kicker in that you have to commit your hard earned money to the goal.

    Reply
  • cynthia January 14, 2013, 12:38 am

    Hi everyone,

    I committed to the goal of losing (finally!) the 7 extra kilos I’ve been carrying around since hitting 40…well… they’re not coming off. Basically, the problem is that I am not a sporty person, dont enjoy working out, never have, feels like an obligation, no fun at all…I loved dancing back in the day… and we’re doing Tai Chi, which is excellent, but not getting the pounds off. Following a mostly primal diet (which I found out about thanks to MMM!)…

    anyone got any words of advice or encouragement?

    Reply
    • Matt January 14, 2013, 1:47 am

      Hi Cynthia.
      Tai Chi is all well and good, but not the greatest way to lose weight unfortunately.
      Losing weight itself is simply a function of taking in fewer calories each day than you use. You can do that in any combination of eating less and/or exercising more.
      The secret to exercising or working out, is to find something active that you enjoy doing, like the dancing for example, then it becomes less like “work”.
      And if you find it hard to diet, like many people do, instead of eating “less”, eat stuff that’s less calorific. For example, if you like chocoloate digestives, start buying the one’s without chocolate.
      Good luck to you and a happy 2013.

      Reply
  • Kendall Frederick January 15, 2013, 8:12 am

    Checking in.. how’re those workouts coming, MMM, especially with the Hawaii trip and, I’m sure, some disruptions in routine?

    You’re inspiring me to a more modest fitness goal as well. I’m already in good shape by normal people’s standards: I’m a reasonably competitive master’s racing cyclist, my bodyweight has been fairly stable for years, and my strength is decent as a long time (but now occasional) lifter.

    My goal is to pare off more body fat to reach my lightest weight in 30 years, while maintaining my strength by lifting at least twice a week, and keeping my cycling fitness. I’m shooting for 170 lbs., ripped, by September for my 47th birthday.

    All sorts of benefits combine here: I am eating Primally these days, and cooking much more, which is cheaper and healthier. I’m a better cyclist when I’m lighter; I’d like to go back in 2014 and do the Everest Challenge Stage Race in Bishop, CA and be mid-pack (I’ll never be a 140 lb. climber).

    Finally, of course, there is the Looking Good Naked goal..

    Reply
  • No Waste July 25, 2013, 11:16 am

    Not only did I make it public, I spent money to get a domain and start blabbering about it.

    Now, I’m not about to let my Bluehost registration just sit there and do nothing!

    Reply
  • Shaner June 14, 2014, 5:38 pm

    I discovered this blog a few months ago while poking around on http://money.stackexchange.com/ (I now prefer the MMM forums for my financial pokearounds.) Since then, I have gone from making way too much money and only throwing some money into my retirement fund once or twice a year, to aving 25% of each paycheque and 100% of windfalls such as tax refunds. I know I have a long way to go to get to those 50-75% savings rates but I’ve made a ton of progress lately and it’s all thanks to you, MMM! I mean I’ve always been pretty good with my money but not retire-by-35-good, which I now am. Thank you.

    Anyway, here’s a suggestion to help newcomers like me: Could you please add a link to the March 2013 Update article at the bottom of this one? I spent several minutes searching the comments for posts by MMM and posts mentioning Update before cluing in and checking for March 2013 blog posts.

    Reply
  • SChiu September 25, 2015, 10:13 pm

    Hi Mr. Money Mustache!

    I know this is an older post, but I’m new to your blog and the idea of publicizing goals really resonates with me. Last fall my husband and I made our goal to travel/live abroad for a year public, and now it’s actually happening! Making that goal public turned our trip into more of a journey since our friends and family enjoy following our updates and seeing what we’re up to. Next step: make our goal of retiring by 30 public! Thanks for the great advice and interesting content!

    -S

    Reply
  • Factor22 October 15, 2015, 6:18 pm

    I will quit my job on May 13th 2015; last day June 16th as summer holidays begin. This blog and MMM have helped me remember what the most important thing is in my life….my 2 wonderful boys J&C… with only 3 and 1 years left before college i am so excited to spend quality time with them over the next few years. MMM, where were you 10 years ago? Glad you are with me now! Thanks Factor22

    Reply
  • Jason January 20, 2016, 6:26 pm

    Did you ever meet your goal? I was looking through this old post but couldn’t find what was the end result?

    Reply
  • James August 22, 2017, 5:34 am

    Just to update this conversation for 2017, some behavioral psychologists/economists have written a book called Think Small, about ways to improve your chances of completing a goal. Making it public is good, but what you really need is a referee and maybe a penalty like donating $1,000 to Donald Trump’s re election campaign. In this case the trainer serves as a great referee.

    Reply
  • shajiaa jain February 23, 2021, 11:39 pm

    I’ve been playing guitar for barely a year totally self trained and I’ve made incredible progress (in my opinion at least).In seven days I figured out how to figure out how to break out of the “blues box” and improvise all over the neck with help of guitaa He produces the best guitar lessons I’ve ever seen.

    Reply

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Take a look around. If you think you are hardcore enough to handle Maximum Mustache, feel free to start at the first article and read your way up to the present using the links at the bottom of each article.

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Love, Mr. Money Mustache

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