You may be a money nerd, if…

You may be a money nerd, if…

  • You track 2 different versions of your net worth
  • You fund a college savings account – even though you don’t have any kids yet
  • You own 3x more credit cards than you do shirts, because #TravelHacking
  • You have a calendar item set up to check your credit report annually
  • You go to FinCon every year – even though you don’t have a blog
  • Your mug collection boasts of spreadsheets, budgeting, or Vanguard
  • You get more heated debating whether the RE belongs in FIRE than you do with politics!
  • You love talking about backdoor roths, even though you don’t fully understand it ;)
  • You’d rather stay in budgeting on a Friday night than go out partying because OMG WHY WOULD YOU SPEND $7.00 ON A BEER WHEN YOU COULD GET 6 FOR THAT PRICE AT COSTCO?!
  • You have over 100,000 miles on your vehicle and you’re proud of it
  • You get more turned on being debt-free than pants-free (hubba hubba)
  • You have a very strong opinion on whether Dave Ramsey is good or not (He’s good!!)
  • (You know who Dave Ramsey actually is)
  • You know just when to call up Comcast and get your bill back lowered again
  • You have a monthly competition with your spouse on who can beat each other’s credit score
  • You’ve pre-selected, and paid for, your future burial spot already
  • You haggle at stores as if they were yard sales
  • You have stickers on your laptop that say things like “Frugal ≠ Cheap” and “Set your life on FIRE
  • And you know that carrying around an umbrella is more than just for the rain

Nerd on!

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26 Comments

  1. Kate December 6, 2019 at 5:50 AM

    I paid £4 for a kombucha in a pub last month that cost £1.60 in the supermarket. I don’t think I’ve been out since!

    1. J. Money December 6, 2019 at 9:30 AM

      You nerd, you!!

  2. Jody December 6, 2019 at 7:06 AM

    WHERE CAN I GET THE MUG???

    1. J. Money December 6, 2019 at 9:32 AM

      Hit up Vanguard on Twitter and see if they’re still giving them out!

      https://twitter.com/Vanguard_Group

      (use the hashtag #fanguard too as it was part of their latest campaign)

  3. LeeAnne December 6, 2019 at 7:12 AM

    J, thanks for starting off my Friday with a chuckle! Much needed after the crazy week I’m having. After reading this list, I’ve determined I’m part money need – but there are a few more nerdy levels/items I want to achieve. Have a great weekend!!

    1. J. Money December 6, 2019 at 9:34 AM

      You too, LeeAnne! Glad I didn’t bring any more chaos into your life ;)

  4. Andrea December 6, 2019 at 10:10 AM

    You may be a money nerd if……

    You buy all of your kitchen wrap at estate sales???? MUCH cheaper to buy (SEALED) tin foil and plastic wraps for $1 at an estate sale rather than $$$ at the grocery!

    Morbid?? Too cheap?? Money nerds beg to differ……

    Happy Friday!!

    1. J. Money December 6, 2019 at 1:39 PM

      Haha I could get down with that! After all half our kids’ toys and furniture comes from yard sales :)

  5. JoeHx December 6, 2019 at 10:43 AM

    2 different versions of your net worth? like with and without asset liabilities such as house, car, etc?

    1. J. Money December 6, 2019 at 1:40 PM

      Yep! Or liquid vs illiquid or pensions vs no pensions or tax advantaged vs non-tax advantaged. The lists are endless! And I’ve heard of all kinds of variations over the years :)

  6. Patrick December 6, 2019 at 10:43 AM

    Touché!

    1. J. Money December 6, 2019 at 1:41 PM

      You score high, I presume? :)

  7. Chris @ Mindful Explorer December 6, 2019 at 11:14 AM

    Well I have some of those :)
    One of the biggest savers for me on that list has been learning to buy used vehicles and keep them for a long time.

    1. J. Money December 6, 2019 at 1:42 PM

      That certainly helps! Especially if you’re one who always worries about scratches and dents and such too… Probably one of the main reasons I’d hate to have a new car – I’d be too anxious all the time! :) Give me a ride full of character so it doesn’t matter, haha…

      1. Alaska49ak December 6, 2019 at 2:13 PM

        ……You give your car a name and add parts to it like Frankenstein…instead of buying new, and blog about it.

        1. J. Money December 9, 2019 at 10:53 AM

          Much more fun if you ask me ;)

  8. MsTJ December 6, 2019 at 2:40 PM

    When I saw the title wasn’t sure I would qualify as a money nerd. Then I read the article. I’m a money nerd. How did you know I track my net worth in two separate places, for cross verification? I have a hard time accepting my progress sometimes. Since finding FI my net worth has gone up quite a bit. Most everything else matches also. Don’t go to fincon, yet. Still not willing to spend the money.

    Thanks for the smile today.

    1. J. Money December 9, 2019 at 10:54 AM

      Welcome to the club :)

  9. Kellie @ Big Style Finance December 6, 2019 at 3:25 PM

    Lol! I identify with more of those than I’m willing to admit.

    1. J. Money December 9, 2019 at 10:54 AM

      I think you need to blast it far and wide by putting it on your blog too :)

  10. Bobby December 6, 2019 at 4:53 PM

    Dam right! I hate too even think using my debit card anymore. Im really focused on using cash for everything anymore. Im saving alot more money than ever. I love my spreadsheet budget also. ;)

    1. J. Money December 9, 2019 at 10:55 AM

      Congrats! Wallets are never the same once they get hooked on $$$ blogs :)

  11. Tonya December 7, 2019 at 7:53 PM

    I blame staying home on New Year’s Eve on the fact that I have a 6 year old. But really, nothing is more exciting to me on NYE than opening a spreadsheet and planning the next year’s financial goals before midnight. #moneynerd #partyanimal

    1. J. Money December 9, 2019 at 10:56 AM

      HAH!!!!

      You’re the Mayor of Nerdville!! ;)

  12. Paul Curley December 9, 2019 at 11:31 AM

    Ha, great list J Money. Thank you for creating and sharing!

    1. J. Money December 9, 2019 at 3:55 PM

      Glad you liked, sir!