I think most people keep themselves "house poor". Upgrading houses, mortgage payments so high they can't afford to save, etc. Your advice is spot on! Keep doing what you're doing!
Most of my friends moved to bigger houses when interest rates tanked, instead of refinancing and paying off their smaller house. It’s odd because my friends and I grew up in small houses yet many of them had to buy the McMansion because it was a status thing.
Smaller homes smaller cleaning! I grew up with Depression Era parents and Grandparents, yard sales, Thrift stores, making a whole chicken stretch a gazillion ways and everything made from scratch. I do not care to keep up with Jones's that are stressed over payments.
We lived under our means for over 30 years. Home is paid for, no car loans because he saves for cars, taxes, appliances, roof, and any other repair or replace for our home. We have 3 small senior dogs that need medication. He saved for that. He has a vacation account ready for us to go to Yellowstone again. We don't smoke or drink. We don't go to the movies, or casinos. We do attend church and are blessed by the service. Hubby worked 47 years with same company and retired at 67. We are secure now because of all the years of living frugal then.
I’m 48 years old and my goal is to retire at 55 too. I’m watching the video and you guys are describing everything I’ve done in the past 20-25 years. I’ve lived in the same house since 2001 and payed it off. I have no car payments and I don’t go on vacations every year like my friends. My only vice is golf and I’m including that in my budget when I retire. My portfolio is 60% stocks, 30% saving account and 10% HSA. My HSA will contribute to my healthcare costs when I retire until I can apply for Medicare. It’s nice to hear stories like this as I would never call you frugal, I’d call you smart!
Ed had an extremely stressful job, we retired him at 58. Had to take his pension in order to get his health care, pre existing issues made it impossible to afford anything else, even if they would cover him! But he is now 72, I am 74. The secret is living well, but below your means, having an emergency acct, and enjoy life. People need to be taught how to economize, how to be content with what they have. You have a good channel. We live in AZ, 93 today, we are grateful for the nice day!
Life changed when my husband became disabled. We no longer could wait til retirement to enjoy more of life. We took a loan to buy a used camper van. It has replaced our 2nd vehicle, can use it for camping & traveling. During road trips, if/when my husbands has a bad days...we can just park & he has the bed/bath, as needed.
Excellent vdo! We always lived below our means. For the first 5 yrs of our marriage, we both worked, but lived on 1 income, and paid cash for our small home we bought in 1986. I was an RN, and he sold insurance. He recently passed away after 39 yrs of marriage. Still live in the same house, which I love to this day. The key to financial freedom is to live below your means, and stay out of debt. Save all you can. Old age comes up very quickly! Hugs from Texas!
Thank you so much for sharing! You are absolutely right about living below your means and staying out of debt! Thank you so much for watching have a beautiful weekend!
Brown & Root laid my hubby off and it was on a Thursday. I went online checked out SS and saw he would only lose a few dollars a month if he retired at 62 instead of 65. So I retired him out online, never looked back. Oh and with the small raises they give here and there he's bringing in more now than if he had waited to 70 to retire. Good advice hope the viewers listen.
Love this video. We dream of my husband retiring at 59. He is currently 44 and there isn't much left of him he's worked so hard as a logger/truck driver. He's worked way too many hours! I would rather have him home with me than more money! It's encouraging to know you two have retired early!
Congratulations! My husband and I are working on this very hard! We're 20 years away (we're in our 30's) , but we save over 30% of our income towards retirement. We both have state pensions through our full time jobs, as well as his military and have multiple other retirement accounts. Living debt free is so important! When you're not paying debt payments every month, you can pay yourself. We live within our means and dont keep up with the Joneses. Only debt we have is the mortgage and we are working on paying it off within 9 years. Loved this video! 💕👍🏼
Yay!! Good for you! It is so important to save, save, save! You may need that extra money in case something comes up. You seem to have a really great plan in place! That’s wonderful 😊
@@FrugalMoneySaver Thank you! Definitely! Saving is key! Most of our friends think we're crazy. They all have a "You only live once" mindset and we're very intentional with our spending. Yes, we only live once, but I'm not trying to spend my golden years working every day to make ends meet. I'm already tired of working 😂
Working in the medical field, I do not have anything other than social security. However, raised by a frugal grandmother, I learned what is really important. When I retired 4 years ago my mortgage was paid, car is paid as well. As a volunteer at an area food surplus program, I am able to get produce and sometimes meat as it is available. A very part time job is gone for now due to covid 19 causing schools here to be closed through the fall semester. It was a perfect job and only a 1/2 mile commute. Before retiring my commute for 15 years was 38 miles each day! Finding your channel is so uplifting and encouraging. Thanks for your info and enthusiasm.
We knew that we couldn’t work forever so started living way below our means in our 40s. We downsized to a small house and then over paid our mortgage year after year, we then sold up and downsized again and got rid our mortgage entirely and put money away for retirement. We’re 55 and 54 and I took my vocational pension early, it’s smaller but that’s ok, Mike gets his vocational pension this year too. We work part time to earn enough to keep our French visas and pay into the healthcare system. Fortunately healthcare only costs us 80€ for the two of us a month. We lived in the UK before and the equity from our home helped. People are often suspicious of early retirees but it’s possible if, like us, you’re happy to live a simple life.
Thank you so much for sharing all that information! I appreciate you stopping by! You are correct if you choose to live simply it is very very possible. Have a blessed day!
I am so thrilled to find this channel! My husband and I are retiring in a few months. This is so encouraging! He will be 65 and I will be 62. We have stayed debt free and our house is paid for but it’s still going to be a stretch. Your common sense suggestions are not only practical but fun!
Love your channel! My hubby and I are 54. We always wanted to retire early! We own rental properties and both work full time. I will get medical benefits from my job when I retire (a family plan) for free!!! It’s huge! I just need to work until July 2022. I can do it! We still have 2 out 3 kids in college so we re trying to help them out as well. Thanks for the great advice.
Just found your channel! The house issue is huge. Everybody talks about that "starter" home...most of which are already twice the home I live in. I purchased my home in 1984, a smallish house built in 1936 in a small town. Is it perfect, no. I would love to have an upstairs laundry and possible a second very basic bathroom. You see, I've lived my entire life in houses with only one bathroom. It is, what it is. Warm, dry and paid for. I'll take those three things over amenities any day. I really would like a space for my sewing and knitting stuff, I'm considering buying a less than $1000 camper and parking it in the yard.....a she shed with no taxes. My house currently would sell for $150k-ish. Last spring, we purchased a house that will serve as a cabin....its actually a bit bigger than my house...in an area with very low taxes. People have remarked that "it must be nice to be able to afford a CABIN." I've lived in a modest home for over 30 years and worked around things that were not Pinterest Perfect. The cabin I purchased cost around $40K and will need about $10K in repairs over a period of time. So if you do the math, my two houses don't cost the price of a starter home today. I have an affordable regular house and now a paid for get-away place that now costs $25 a month in electric and $500 a year in taxes. As an aside, a co-worker just heard I had purchased a cabin and, well, she has been wanting a cabin for sooo long. But she was bit deflated when she heard cabin was not located on a prime lake somewhere, but in the woods ..10 miles from Lake Superior. But I have a cabin and she never will.
As of note, I am turning 56 in a couple of months and my significant other is 59. The goal is to get him into at least semi-retirement at 62, possibly doing consulting work at his current company for a couple of years until I catch up in age to collect social security. He never considered it....I've showed him the math that its very possible.
Yes good to be conscious of health care. I’m healthy and never thought I would get breast cancer 😩yuk I did. My husband and I retired early at 56. Fortunately we do have medical from his previous jobs ( navy and city employee) . Our house is also paid off and that’s no small feat in California . I’m sure housing is similar if New York. Enjoying your videos especially now with COVID and being home from chemo.
My husband has been a home improvement contractor for 40 years. He's looking to retire in the next 5 years. We are really looking forward to being a Frugal couple who just lives abundantly on less just like you all are doing.
We’ve been in our home since 1991. We are considering a smaller home. My husband still works full time and I work part time when the state allows me. My job is currently gone due to Covid.
Yes, I'm binge watching yoir videos. Our retirement income is going to pay our expenses but we'll definately have less left over at the end of the month. I've been stressing even though we have a nice nest egg. Thank you both..your videos are reassuring me that I made the right decision. I know I made the right decision but the lower income has been stressing me out this week. With prayer and seeing that it can be done, I feel so much better. I can't wait to retire and enjoy our freedom. I'm 54 and my husband is 56...we are very blessed to even have the choice to retire and enjoy our senior years together.
Thanks for this thought provoking and interesting video. My husband and I are in our mid 30s in the uk and really are starting to plan for our future and becoming more and more frugal. X
Thanks for tips on saving money with groceries. I am on disability and I get the lowest amount to live on. I have food stamps.They don’t go that far with prices of food. I am trying my hardest to make ends meet. I left an abusive relationship and I didn’t take much with me. I did have $ saved to move .it went fast. I have minimal stuff in kitchen. I just bought a box grater to save $ by grating my own cheese as per what u said about additives in it. I cook for just me & sometimes my neighbor.We swap food back and forth too.My neighbor cooks dinner for me sometimes too.great way to save money.Also I save bacon grease to cook with. It’s especially good cooking Brussels sprouts in.fat flavors it great.My parents grew up during the depression and I have learned many things from them on being frugal like using bacon grease to cook.They saved & reused or repurposed stuff like u do. I am new subscriber to channel. I have been watching as many videos of urs I can.U & ur husband & Dixie seem very nice and the kind of people you would want to get to know if we were neighbors. I would love more warm weather dishes if u can.The heat has got me doing very little. I am from just outside Philly in suburbs Bucks and Montgomery county. I have no car & no debt. I don’t use credit cards either. I have not used in like 15 years. I have started another emergency fund.Seems as soon as I save $ an emergency comes up.😅😮I have a cat too so I need emergency funds for vet for her.Fortunately she is only 3+ years old so still young for problems.Also do u have any ideas on living in small place for storage and organizing food pantries. I live in studio apartment on 8 th floor which they call penthouse jokingly of course. I live in low income housing. I’m fortunate that rent is cheap. I would be out on street elsewise. I live 150% below the poverty line so I am told. I’m grateful for what I have. I have all I need.Yes it’s hard sometimes. I don’t have to live with someone threatening me all the time or giving me black eyes or broken bones. I have PTSD from my Ex. I’m slowly getting a better normal life. I left 3yrs ago. I’m happy and grateful for what I have.Prices are sky high but I’m a survivor so I will figure it out.Thanks again for recipes. I made pasta salad similar to yours and it was delicious. I am going to make ur spinach pasta bake with ricotta and cream
Hi we did exactly the same as yourself we retired early and planned for 3 years to become completely debt free My husband was 57 and worked long hours so it was all a bonus he is now 69 and we never looked back I love your vlogs like I said to you recently I have only just discovered you but will try and watch all your past videos Please take care and stay safe xx
Great video Emmy! Saving for retirement when you're younger is so important. I've managed to build up enough to live on, but I wish I could have saved more when I was younger. I'm glad I was able to retire at 62. Healthcare is always a problem if you're under 65 unfortunately.
So, TH-cam presented this video to me today. Good for you and your husband! Congrats on retirement at 55. In reading many of the comments on this video, it certainly seems that the "choir" heard your message loud and clear. For me, it's just nice to hear validation for the decisions my wife and I made allowing us to retire at 54 and 56 respectively. Believe me, most of my neighbors lived large and are still locked in to needing to stay employed. My guess (and hope) is that many of the people who viewed this video who need your advise, will take it and apply it. Great share! Best wishes to you both!
I have so much respect for you guys. I am single and retired and finding a woman that lives a frugal lifestyle is like finding a needle in a haystack. I agree having experiences is more important than material things.
Like you we both retire at 55. Our mortgage was fully paid for and I submitted my retirement application the day my youngest got a job offer!!! Our biggest expenses was COLLEGE. Our medical is based very much like the UK NHS. I am impartial to 'branded luxurious ' items. In fact when I was working My parking space was the only one parked with a local car while most of the other spaces were filled with BMW and merc which after taxes is just very very expensive .
Your video popped up randomly, so decided to have a look...loved it! Hubby would like to retire early at 62 next year, so we have a lot in common with you. Keep the great content coming, and nice to meet you!
Wonderful to hear that you and Paul could retire early. Helpful that you can share your experience. My husband retired early from a Federal vocation. He returned home to the N.H. family farm and has worked it with his brother for the past twelve years. His brother gave us land to build a house. They both continue to work and I just retired from my outside job at 70. Now all of us are sheltering in place on the family farm. I will be tending the gardens, canning/freezing/drying crops. Like you, we pay health insurance and have to be frugal. Farming keeps us fed, with a roof over our heads. We are fortunate to be situated in a rural area during these challenging times. Keep making videos on how to save money. You are doing a great job!
Hello there, , Emmi, glad to see your broadcasts as they are pleasant, encouraging with good information. It doesn’t hurt that I’m from Queens and about the same age! Blessings to you, too🌸 But I wound up in temporary trouble and moved to a cheaper state almost a decade ago. And your advice is nice:)Hoping to visit NY again asap and a few other states.. grazie!
You are both wise, and I don't think you'll ever regret your decision. You can earn more money if things get rough, but you can't "buy" more time. I have a friend who worked hard until 65 and then took the trip of a lifetime. He had a terrible accident and lost his life soon thereafter. We don't know the future, but we can take advantage of the present. Be kind to others, enjoy simple pleasures, learn to DIY, have fun game nights or potluck gatherings, attend the church of your choosing, watch after your health, eat good simple food, get out in nature, exercise, relax and keep stress as low as possible. It can be done and you're enjoying that life with good humor, style, and panache. Bravissimo!
My husband and I originally lived in Rhode Island until 2006 sold our starter home moved to Texas. The cost of living was too high in RI money goes further in Texas. We are currently living in a rural area in a nice home making it on one income because we bought a home lower than what the bank approved us for. We also shop at an Aldi or Walmart and buy foods on sale and cut back as well. God Bless my friend.
Lots of great advice in this video, Emmy. We, too, retired before 65 but in both our cases, we were pretty much forced to due to health issues. I had to retire at 57 & since I was a part time worked the last 7 years I had no retirement, pension nor any other type of income coming in. It necessitated us living very frugally too. Luckily my retirement was 3 years before Danny had to & we realized when I had to retire that we needed to start working towards the day he would retire. We had no idea his health would take such a turn but we were more prepared for him to stop working because of the health issues that I had. It forced us to take a look at things & prepare so when the time came, we were ok. Luckily he has a 401K and it has continued to grow. We, too, always lived within our means. We lived in our starter homes for 2 years until he was transferred & then the next starter home for 34 years. We moved into our forever home 10 years ago knowing it was our retirement/forever home & we are perfectly content to be here for the rest of our lives. Yes, it is paid for, too, as are all our other debts. Like you & Paul, we starting paying off all debts when we moved here, working towards our retirement. We are both now on Medicare since I turned 65 this month but with all our health issues it was a necessity to purchase supplemental insurance as well. Sometimes life gives you lemons, but we made lemonade out of it. As you said in your video, this is what has worked for us. It’s not for everyone but it works quite well for us & I wouldn’t change a thing!
Hi Emmy!! We live in our starter house also. 46 years to be exact. We are SS and Medicare age. We own a business, Tubbs Automotive. Larry has basically turned it over to our son. Very hard work all of these years. But he still goes to work every day although he is retired. I don’t think he will ever retire. I retired at the age of 62 but for the time being I work two days a week mainly to get out of the house. My husband doesn’t do shopping, etc. It sure is nice not to have a mortgage or have other unnecessary bills. Loved your video.
Congratulations to you both. Yes your right, if you want to retire early then you need to not just live for today but look at what sort of future do you want when you retire and when. My husband and I are in our early 50’s and looking at that right now. Great video 👍🏼
Hello: I have just started watching your videos. Kudos to you and Paul. I am 64 and recently retired. My husband retired at 55 at my request. His job was also very physical, and he had done it since he was 15. Both of us were self-employed, so we do not have company pensions. Fortunately, when I was in my mid 20's, I sat beside a newly retired couple on a 4 hour plane ride. They were a very lovely, distinguished couple who were on their way to a cruise in Alaska. I told the gentleman, "When I retire, I want to be able to travel like you." It turns out the gentleman was in finance prior to retiring and he was more than happy to pass on good advice. It was the fastest 4 hour flight ever. I am so grateful to have had the pleasure of sitting beside himand for the knowledge he/ they shared. He told me to diversify my portfolio, meaning - don't put all my eggs in one basket. My retirement success was following his advice. It's one thing to be given good advice. Following it is another. What you and Paul are teaching is great. Kudos again to you both. Anna.
So glad I found this earlier video of yours. I am happy to learn your background and I really enjoy your videos! You are a breath of fresh air on You Tube 🌞
I found you and Paul on You Tube a few weeks ago. I’m so thrilled that there are others out there who do not subscribe to the mentality that we need all the newest and best. I am a retired RN, worked for 47 years, and couldn’t take one more day! I am single, so every job around the house is mine. I am mortgage and debt free like you, but each month I experience inflation taking more and more out of my pocketbook. I thank you and Paul for encouraging me and I will definitely keep watching. My faith is strong and I thank Our Heavenly Father every day for His blessings!
Hubby was forced to retire a couple of years ago at 63, I retired this year at 57. I was so scared when he got pushed into retirement but it worked out. I cannot believe that we are both retired enjoying our life. Yes money can be tight but we still feel blessed everyday😃
Tfs your experience and tips. My husband and I are working towards retirement and want to make sure we are prepared to live a good life and not be in need.
Thank you for explaining what you did. This is not an option for me, and that's ok. I do not have a job with a pension. I was a single mother of 2, always tried to work a second job - just to make ends meet. Savings was not an option. So - now I am terrified what old age looks like for me. I am 64 with no plan on retiring. Now I pray for good health to keep me going. Your channel is bringing lots of good info & ideas for me - I so appreciate what you do!
Thank you for such an inspiring message I think you show that you can be joyful and frugal at the same time. Sometimes I think frugally gets a bad name. People only see it portrayed as being miserly. It is definitely possible to be frugal and generous and giving to others at the same time. Blessings.
Excellent tips and advice...very sound early retirement plan. I hope we can do something similar but we're looking at retirement at around 60 IF we can stick to our plan. Life happens and throws curve balls but at least having a goal or reasonable, doable plan helps. Thanks so much for sharing...you're so sweet!
Thank you for the kindness!! I think that helps so much having a goal you’re trying to attain. It helps keep you focused and on track! Thank you so much for all the support!
Emmy, you have truly inspired me. I retired at 66, but my husband continues to work at age 70. He did finally apply to get social security, but I cannot get him to retire, even though his body is wearing down much more now. He tunes and repairs pianos, and it’s murder on his shoulders, back and hips. Seeing his chiropractor and acupuncturist are what is keeping him going, and they are not cheap! I’m going to work up a budget so I can show him that he CAN and MUST retire so that he can rest and finally do things he enjoys. Thank you so much for your channel!❤️…..Brenda
it feels so good to put your head on your pillow with out worries.please people open your eyes and take control of your money make it work for you.you be surprised how much you can save. You don’t have to put hundreds of dollars in your he bank weekly or by weekly .But please start saving at least 20 dollars. Then put a big chunk from your income tax money you will be so proud try it is the best thing
I just watched this video for the second time. My husband and I are turning 55 this year, and although he will not be able to retire quite yet, we are still hopeful for it to be early!
Great video. I partially retired at 65, and fully retired at 66. My wife is a bit younger and is still working so I took over many of her former jobs. Today I cleaned the house, made a soda bread for a belated St. Pat's. day, and used up some old bananas by making 2 loaves of banana bread. I also helped a friend, who English is his second language, write some business emails. It may not sound like much, but it was such a joyful day. I wasn't worried about dealing with work problems, and I got to appreciate every moment of the day... even when my wife and daughter kept asking me when they could slice one of the banana bread loaves. Stuff is stuff, experiences are everything and most experiences are simple and lovely.
What a great comment! Mike I disagree it sounds like "Much" to me for sure! It sounds like a wonderful day where you were able to bless others and appreciate it all! LOVE THAT!!
Congratulations on being able to retire early! You’ll get a “raise” when you get social security. Your health insurance is quite spendy! My husband and I are both 70 and we retired at 62 and 63. Like you, our house was paid for. Our normal SS retirement age is 66, but we started drawing as soon as we retired. We get less each month than if we waited till 66, but we draw for a longer time. For me, the break even point was 78. Of course, If a person works after 62, they may want to delay SS. You’re younger and have a later full retirement age than 66. Figure out what works best for you. One of my friends waited to retire at 70 because she wanted the extra pension/SS. Her parents are 95 and 102 and she liked her job. She wanted to maximize her income because she figured she live a long time and husband is younger and still worked.
I too retired at 63 instead of 66. A lot less income being retired, but a lot happier! I learned to work with what I have, and I'm a homebody and happy to not have to get up early to be to a job and especially on snowy days! I had worked since I was a teen and I was so done! :)
I love the content you share. We are young and we’ve set up things do we can retire early. No debt except a very small mortgage which we are looking to pay off ASAP. We bought my grandparents house and restoring it to keep in the family. The house came 100% furnished. We were able to put 20% down so no PMI. We do our best to live as frugal as possible. Always learning for ways to do better! Thanks for your tips.
Happy with our lot is most important. Budgeting is a skill that has gone out of fashion. I took basic Commerce in High School and that has helped me to keep tabs on budgeting in every aspect of running a smooth household with 6 children and a hard working husband.
Wow! I'm glad I looked back to this video which explains your story. My husband and I did something similar in that we paid off our mortgage quickly. I put my paycheck into double payment with my husband's payment for the first three years . The house was paid off in eleven years and we have stayed in it. Ann Arbor is expensive for Michigan but probably not as expensive as N.Y. we also always lived below our means and still do. This way of life is less stressful . My husband is still working past retirement age but that is by choice not necessity. I really like your values when it comes to money and how you spend your time. Sharing with others is a beautiful thing! People need the kind of encouragement you give them. Keep on keeping on.
Hi! I really enjoyed your honesty and great advice! I also want to retire at 55 and I will be turning 52 soon. Living a basic life brings me happiness and if I can retire at freedom 55 that would be soooo awesome 😊. Please keep the videos coming. Very inspirational! Take Care!
Thank you Amy for all the advices you give us to live our life’s at the fullest I really love your Chanel I’m fairly new subs but I’m in love with the frugal live
My middle daughter is an investment manager and mortgage advisor. She has taken her sisters and brother under her wing and they all have pensions, investments, houses of their own or about to get houses, savings and an emergency fund.
My wife and I are looking to retire when I am in my early 50's, and I agree with you that the first rule is not living past your means. We've lived beneath our means, and my wife is now working and our house is paid off. Living debt free from day one except for the house means that we aren't paying interest, effectively a hole in a savings bucket. Folks roll their eyes at me when I tell them to buy a used car if they cannot afford a new one and that they should save before they pay for vacations then get mad and tell me how "rich" I am when I tell them I will be 52 and checking out of work.
I’m going back through and looking at some of your videos that I missed and I noticed you went over 7000 subscribers. Last night you weren’t there! Congratulations!🎉
We are in our mid 40s & will start 2021 by looking into what our retirement options are & to ensure if my husband or I become a widow...we'd be able to live comfortably. It's my goal (lofty or not), to semi retire at 55. I'm hoping to only have to work part time to fully fund our Roth IRAs until I'm 62 & then fully retire with the help of SS.
Thank you for being an inspiration to financial freedom. Hope your information reaches all ages. Schools don't speak this language and parents can't teach what they don't know. You are a true example your life style can be accomplished. God Bless you and your family ❤️
I always upgraded my home. That’s why I made £100,000 profit. Mortgage paid off. Sold it. Could buy 13 acre’s instead. I have private health care but it’s absolute peanuts over here in Spain. Great healthcare too.
My hubby & I always say that the experience is so much more important than the money.....there are so many things that you can do together to experience that doesn't cost money! Such a great channel---love it! :) Thank you. Blessings! Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :)
Enjoyed this video, so many families live far beyond their means & one major expense and they are in trouble. Less stress is always better...enjoy your early retirement.
You ARE talking to friends - I'm one of them! :) Thanks for being so transparent and sharing your life and your good ideas! My husband will retire either this year or next year and we can't wait! When you go on SS, you are going to feel like you got a big raise! Have you thought about what you want to do with that extra money when the time comes? Will you go on SS when Paul turns 62, 65, 67 or 70?
My husband and I retire at 55 we live off our pensions and stated getting our social at 62 i now you get less money at 62 but who said I was going to live to 65 we both almost die with the virus because we live a frugal live we have so much money extra that we put in the bank and don’t owe anything to anybody .take a hold of you finances and you see the peace and contentment you are going to feel . be financially independent and you will fell rich
I love watching your videos. My husband is a NYS employee and if things go the way we have planned he will be able to retire early also. We are the same as you, 15 years into our marriage and still in our 'starter' home. Not sure why they called it a starter home when we moved in, it has everything we need plus! And we're a family of 6. I like that it'll be paid off in 10 years now, so before he retires and we'll be debt free. We'd rather have that than a bigger mortgage. You guys are inspirational! My husband is in LE and doesn't want to be doing that job for another 28 years, no way, it's too stressful.
You are inspirational! I feel like you are that cool aunt who gives great advice that you’ll actually listen to. So, what advice would you have for a younger person who has a different perspective on finances than their partner? Ideally, of course, you would agree on that before marriage. I would like to retire by 50 with a few rental properties, but the hubby always wants the latest gadgets, hates leftovers, etc. I drive an old beat-up car that’s paid for and could care less about the latest whatever. How do I convince him that it will be worth it in the long run? What’s a good compromise or do you think we need to be on the same page completely when it comes to finances?
Thanks for being here! How about you and your husband sit together to pick a financial goal together and work toward it? Something that you would both agree on and would like to financially strive for in the future. I think a lot of people see frugality as a sacrifice or as a form of deprivation. One way we can encourage others is by our actions though. By making frugal choices and showing them in a way that is fun, creative, and abundant in other aspects other than money is a great way to go. He is your husband, you love him, and remember that comes before all else💕
Track your expenses for a month and categorize it! Now go through it with him and ‘see’ where the money goes! Figure-out what you have been saving versus what you could save…then extrapolate what that money looks like after 20, 25, 30 years. It can be an eye opening experience! Can he forgo a small pleasure now for the safety and security of you both being financially sound later in life?
My husband and I saved and saved. Paid our house off and my husband worked so hard and looked forward to retirement early but he passed away on Easter Sunday three years ago at 55 of a massive heart attack. I lost the love of my life that day. He provided me even after he passed. I am very happy Paul and you got to retire early. Please enjoy your time together ❤️❤️
Congrats, I'm 50 and have decided to migrate to Canada from our country and suddenly, realized what a challenge it would be for me to give up my government position and live in an expensive country.
Great video! I retired at 62. Wished I could've retired at 55 as well. I didn't know ANYthing about Medicare and Medicaid until social security took out my first payment! I thought a person had to SIGN UP for it! Lol. Anyway, after three monthly payments they stopped taking it out as I had the VA taking care of me. I even got all three payments reimbursed! Shocker! As you know I've just recently subscribed, so, I have plenty of catching up to do! Have a blessed day and stay safe y'all!
I think most people keep themselves "house poor". Upgrading houses, mortgage payments so high they can't afford to save, etc. Your advice is spot on! Keep doing what you're doing!
Thank you so much for the encouragement!!
Most of my friends moved to bigger houses when interest rates tanked, instead of refinancing and paying off their smaller house. It’s odd because my friends and I grew up in small houses yet many of them had to buy the McMansion because it was a status thing.
Smaller homes smaller cleaning! I grew up with Depression Era parents and Grandparents, yard sales, Thrift stores, making a whole chicken stretch a gazillion ways and everything made from scratch. I do not care to keep up with Jones's that are stressed over payments.
We lived under our means for over 30 years. Home is paid for, no car loans because he saves for cars, taxes, appliances, roof, and any other repair or replace for our home. We have 3 small senior dogs that need medication. He saved for that. He has a vacation account ready for us to go to Yellowstone again. We don't smoke or drink. We don't go to the movies, or casinos. We do attend church and are blessed by the service. Hubby worked 47 years with same company and retired at 67. We are secure now because of all the years of living frugal then.
Exactly! You sound like you are having a wonderful retirement! Thanks for watching!
I’m 48 years old and my goal is to retire at 55 too. I’m watching the video and you guys are describing everything I’ve done in the past 20-25 years. I’ve lived in the same house since 2001 and payed it off. I have no car payments and I don’t go on vacations every year like my friends. My only vice is golf and I’m including that in my budget when I retire. My portfolio is 60% stocks, 30% saving account and 10% HSA. My HSA will contribute to my healthcare costs when I retire until I can apply for Medicare. It’s nice to hear stories like this as I would never call you frugal, I’d call you smart!
Good for you Chris! Sounds like you are doing great!! Thanks for watching and being here!
It would be nice if we could use the HSA for insurance premiums...
Ed had an extremely stressful job, we retired him at 58. Had to take his pension in order to get his health care, pre existing issues made it impossible to afford anything else, even if they would cover him!
But he is now 72, I am 74. The secret is living well, but below your means, having an emergency acct, and enjoy life.
People need to be taught how to economize, how to be content with what they have. You have a good channel. We live in AZ, 93 today, we are grateful for the nice day!
Kitty thank you so much for sharing! You are correct...contentment is key!
I just absolutely love you. You seem like the sweetest kind hearted person!! We need people like you in this world. 💕
Vesna Thank you so much! What a lovely comments!
great advice . money in the bank brings peace of mind - options - personal power.
Wow!! I couldn’t have said it better! Thank you!
Life changed when my husband became disabled. We no longer could wait til retirement to enjoy more of life. We took a loan to buy a used camper van. It has replaced our 2nd vehicle, can use it for camping & traveling. During road trips, if/when my husbands has a bad days...we can just park & he has the bed/bath, as needed.
Too often, I've seen folks work til 65 & then pass away within a year : (
What a clever idea to use the camper to travel and enjoy life! Thank you for sharing!
Excellent vdo! We always lived below our means. For the first 5 yrs of our marriage, we both worked, but lived on 1 income, and paid cash for our small home we bought in 1986. I was an RN, and he sold insurance. He recently passed away after 39 yrs of marriage. Still live in the same house, which I love to this day. The key to financial freedom is to live below your means, and stay out of debt. Save all you can. Old age comes up very quickly! Hugs from Texas!
Thank you so much for sharing! You are absolutely right about living below your means and staying out of debt! Thank you so much for watching have a beautiful weekend!
Brown & Root laid my hubby off and it was on a Thursday. I went online checked out SS and saw he would only lose a few dollars a month if he retired at 62 instead of 65. So I retired him out online, never looked back. Oh and with the small raises they give here and there he's bringing in more now than if he had waited to 70 to retire. Good advice hope the viewers listen.
Good for you! That’s exactly what I’m talking about! It’s amazing how we can make do with what we’re given! Thanks for being such a great friend!
Love this video. We dream of my husband retiring at 59. He is currently 44 and there isn't much left of him he's worked so hard as a logger/truck driver. He's worked way too many hours! I would rather have him home with me than more money! It's encouraging to know you two have retired early!
Thanks so much for watching Mel! I’m glad you found the video encouraging!
Congratulations! My husband and I are working on this very hard! We're 20 years away (we're in our 30's) , but we save over 30% of our income towards retirement. We both have state pensions through our full time jobs, as well as his military and have multiple other retirement accounts. Living debt free is so important! When you're not paying debt payments every month, you can pay yourself. We live within our means and dont keep up with the Joneses. Only debt we have is the mortgage and we are working on paying it off within 9 years. Loved this video! 💕👍🏼
Yay!! Good for you! It is so important to save, save, save! You may need that extra money in case something comes up. You seem to have a really great plan in place! That’s wonderful 😊
@@FrugalMoneySaver Thank you! Definitely! Saving is key! Most of our friends think we're crazy. They all have a "You only live once" mindset and we're very intentional with our spending. Yes, we only live once, but I'm not trying to spend my golden years working every day to make ends meet. I'm already tired of working 😂
@Busy Becky so proud of you both! I couldn't agree more...YOLO is such a popular mentality and it personally drives me bonkers...LOL!
Working in the medical field, I do not have anything other than social security. However, raised by a frugal grandmother, I learned what is really important. When I retired 4 years ago my mortgage was paid, car is paid as well. As a volunteer at an area food surplus program, I am able to get produce and sometimes meat as it is available.
A very part time job is gone for now due to covid 19 causing schools here to be closed through the fall semester. It was a perfect job and only a 1/2 mile commute. Before retiring my commute for 15 years was 38 miles each day!
Finding your channel is so uplifting and encouraging. Thanks for your info and enthusiasm.
So very happy you are finding our channel helpful! Thank you for being a part of it! Having all debt paid off before retiring is such a giant plus!
We knew that we couldn’t work forever so started living way below our means in our 40s. We downsized to a small house and then over paid our mortgage year after year, we then sold up and downsized again and got rid our mortgage entirely and put money away for retirement. We’re 55 and 54 and I took my vocational pension early, it’s smaller but that’s ok, Mike gets his vocational pension this year too. We work part time to earn enough to keep our French visas and pay into the healthcare system. Fortunately healthcare only costs us 80€ for the two of us a month. We lived in the UK before and the equity from our home helped. People are often suspicious of early retirees but it’s possible if, like us, you’re happy to live a simple life.
Thank you so much for sharing all that information! I appreciate you stopping by! You are correct if you choose to live simply it is very very possible. Have a blessed day!
I am so thrilled to find this channel! My husband and I are retiring in a few months. This is so encouraging! He will be 65 and I will be 62. We have stayed debt free and our house is paid for but it’s still going to be a stretch. Your common sense suggestions are not only practical but fun!
Thanks so much! We are so happy you are here!
yeah!!!!!
Love your channel!
My hubby and I are 54. We always wanted to retire early! We own rental properties and both work full time.
I will get medical benefits from my job when I retire (a family plan) for free!!! It’s huge! I just need to work until July 2022. I can do it! We still have 2 out 3 kids in college so we re trying to help them out as well. Thanks for the great advice.
First off thank you!! Of course you can do it! Having the medical is such a huge benefit! You got this😊! Thanks so much for watching!
Just found your channel!
The house issue is huge. Everybody talks about that "starter" home...most of which are already twice the home I live in. I purchased my home in 1984, a smallish house built in 1936 in a small town. Is it perfect, no. I would love to have an upstairs laundry and possible a second very basic bathroom. You see, I've lived my entire life in houses with only one bathroom. It is, what it is. Warm, dry and paid for. I'll take those three things over amenities any day. I really would like a space for my sewing and knitting stuff, I'm considering buying a less than $1000 camper and parking it in the yard.....a she shed with no taxes.
My house currently would sell for $150k-ish. Last spring, we purchased a house that will serve as a cabin....its actually a bit bigger than my house...in an area with very low taxes. People have remarked that "it must be nice to be able to afford a CABIN." I've lived in a modest home for over 30 years and worked around things that were not Pinterest Perfect. The cabin I purchased cost around $40K and will need about $10K in repairs over a period of time. So if you do the math, my two houses don't cost the price of a starter home today. I have an affordable regular house and now a paid for get-away place that now costs $25 a month in electric and $500 a year in taxes.
As an aside, a co-worker just heard I had purchased a cabin and, well, she has been wanting a cabin for sooo long. But she was bit deflated when she heard cabin was not located on a prime lake somewhere, but in the woods ..10 miles from Lake Superior. But I have a cabin and she never will.
As of note, I am turning 56 in a couple of months and my significant other is 59. The goal is to get him into at least semi-retirement at 62, possibly doing consulting work at his current company for a couple of years until I catch up in age to collect social security. He never considered it....I've showed him the math that its very possible.
Thank you so much for sharing! You are very fortunate to have your cabin! Thank you for watching!
Still binging since discovering your channel yesterday. What a wise and sharing couple. Thanks to you and Paul!
That is so kind of you to say! Thank you for watching!
These was a very inspirational post Emmy. It is never to early (or too late) to start planning for retirement.
So happy you enjoyed the video! Thanks so much for watching!
Yes good to be conscious of health care. I’m healthy and never thought I would get breast cancer 😩yuk I did. My husband and I retired early at 56. Fortunately we do have medical from his previous jobs ( navy and city employee) . Our house is also paid off and that’s no small feat in California . I’m sure housing is similar if New York. Enjoying your videos especially now with COVID and being home from chemo.
I am so sorry you had to go through that. Really I am. I will pray for you. Having good medical is so important. Thank you for watching!
My husband has been a home improvement contractor for 40 years. He's looking to retire in the next 5 years. We are really looking forward to being a Frugal couple who just lives abundantly on less just like you all are doing.
Oh how wonderful, Nancy! Love that!
You are very wise woman thank you for all tips
Thank you so much for watching!
I just love that I found you! My husband and I are on this same journey. 😊
Oh so happy you are here! Thank you!
We’ve been in our home since 1991. We are considering a smaller home. My husband still works full time and I work part time when the state allows me. My job is currently gone due to Covid.
Thank you so much for watching!
Yes, I'm binge watching yoir videos. Our retirement income is going to pay our expenses but we'll definately have less left over at the end of the month. I've been stressing even though we have a nice nest egg. Thank you both..your videos are reassuring me that I made the right decision. I know I made the right decision but the lower income has been stressing me out this week. With prayer and seeing that it can be done, I feel so much better. I can't wait to retire and enjoy our freedom. I'm 54 and my husband is 56...we are very blessed to even have the choice to retire and enjoy our senior years together.
Sheila that is so wonderful that you are able to retire! YAY!! Prayer really does provide peace in our decisions!
Thanks for this thought provoking and interesting video. My husband and I are in our mid 30s in the uk and really are starting to plan for our future and becoming more and more frugal. X
You can do it! Best of luck on your frugal journey! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for tips on saving money with groceries. I am on disability and I get the lowest amount to live on. I have food stamps.They don’t go that far with prices of food. I am trying my hardest to make ends meet. I left an abusive relationship and I didn’t take much with me. I did have $ saved to move .it went fast. I have minimal stuff in kitchen. I just bought a box grater to save $ by grating my own cheese as per what u said about additives in it. I cook for just me & sometimes my neighbor.We swap food back and forth too.My neighbor cooks dinner for me sometimes too.great way to save money.Also I save bacon grease to cook with. It’s especially good cooking Brussels sprouts in.fat flavors it great.My parents grew up during the depression and I have learned many things from them on being frugal like using bacon grease to cook.They saved & reused or repurposed stuff like u do. I am new subscriber to channel. I have been watching as many videos of urs I can.U & ur husband & Dixie seem very nice and the kind of people you would want to get to know if we were neighbors. I would love more warm weather dishes if u can.The heat has got me doing very little. I am from just outside Philly in suburbs Bucks and Montgomery county. I have no car & no debt. I don’t use credit cards either. I have not used in like 15 years. I have started another emergency fund.Seems as soon as I save $ an emergency comes up.😅😮I have a cat too so I need emergency funds for vet for her.Fortunately she is only 3+ years old so still young for problems.Also do u have any ideas on living in small place for storage and organizing food pantries. I live in studio apartment on 8 th floor which they call penthouse jokingly of course. I live in low income housing. I’m fortunate that rent is cheap. I would be out on street elsewise. I live 150% below the poverty line so I am told. I’m grateful for what I have. I have all I need.Yes it’s hard sometimes. I don’t have to live with someone threatening me all the time or giving me black eyes or broken bones. I have PTSD from my Ex. I’m slowly getting a better normal life. I left 3yrs ago. I’m happy and grateful for what I have.Prices are sky high but I’m a survivor so I will figure it out.Thanks again for recipes. I made pasta salad similar to yours and it was delicious. I am going to make ur spinach pasta bake with ricotta and cream
Nancy, May God continue to bless and heal you! So happy our videos are helpful!
Hi we did exactly the same as yourself we retired early and planned for 3 years to become completely debt free
My husband was 57 and worked long hours so it was all a bonus he is now 69 and we never looked back
I love your vlogs like I said to you recently I have only just discovered you but will try and watch all your past videos
Please take care and stay safe xx
So smart! I am so glad you found us. Thank you for watching our videos and so glad you enjoy them!
Great video Emmy! Saving for retirement when you're younger is so important. I've managed to build up enough to live on, but I wish I could have saved more when I was younger. I'm glad I was able to retire at 62. Healthcare is always a problem if you're under 65 unfortunately.
Thanks so much Ellen!! We really pay a lot for the healthcare but it’s something we really feel is a priority😊
So, TH-cam presented this video to me today. Good for you and your husband! Congrats on retirement at 55. In reading many of the comments on this video, it certainly seems that the "choir" heard your message loud and clear. For me, it's just nice to hear validation for the decisions my wife and I made allowing us to retire at 54 and 56 respectively. Believe me, most of my neighbors lived large and are still locked in to needing to stay employed. My guess (and hope) is that many of the people who viewed this video who need your advise, will take it and apply it. Great share! Best wishes to you both!
Thanks so much for stopping by! Appreciate it!
I have so much respect for you guys. I am single and retired and finding a woman that lives a frugal lifestyle is like finding a needle in a haystack. I agree having experiences is more important than material things.
Thanks so much!! Happy you are here!
Retired 2019, I agree with you! Being frugal, debt free means freedom!
Like you we both retire at 55.
Our mortgage was fully paid for and I submitted my retirement application the day my youngest got a job offer!!!
Our biggest expenses was COLLEGE.
Our medical is based very much like the UK NHS.
I am impartial to 'branded luxurious ' items.
In fact when I was working
My parking space was the only one parked with a local car while most of the other spaces were filled with BMW and merc which after taxes is just very very expensive .
That is wonderful!! Good for you!
I accidentally bumped thumbs down😮 I’m sorry. Hoping my thumbs up cancels it.
This is my first visit to your site. Excellent ideas.
Welcome!! So glad you are here! Thank you😊
Your video popped up randomly, so decided to have a look...loved it! Hubby would like to retire early at 62 next year, so we have a lot in common with you. Keep the great content coming, and nice to meet you!
Lovely to meet you Pamela! So glad you are here! Thanks for watching!
Wonderful to hear that you and Paul could retire early. Helpful that you can share your experience. My husband retired early from a Federal vocation. He returned home to the N.H. family farm and has worked it with his brother for the past twelve years. His brother gave us land to build a house. They both continue to work and I just retired from my outside job at 70. Now all of us are sheltering in place on the family farm. I will be tending the gardens, canning/freezing/drying crops. Like you, we pay health insurance and have to be frugal. Farming keeps us fed, with a roof over our heads. We are fortunate to be situated in a rural area during these challenging times. Keep making videos on how to save money. You are doing a great job!
Diane thank you so very much for the support! Oh, a farm in NH sounds lovely! We are sheltering as well...uncertain times for sure!
Hello there, , Emmi, glad to see your broadcasts as they are pleasant, encouraging with good information. It doesn’t hurt that I’m from Queens and about the same age! Blessings to you, too🌸 But I wound up in temporary trouble and moved to a cheaper state almost a decade ago. And your advice is nice:)Hoping to visit NY again asap and a few other states.. grazie!
Thank you so much! So happy you found us! Welcome!
@@FrugalMoneySaver :)
:)
Love it... you never know how long we have on this earth... it’s better to enjoy peacefully the time together ♥️
Absolutely Amy!! So right!
You are both wise, and I don't think you'll ever regret your decision. You can earn more money if things get rough, but you can't "buy" more time. I have a friend who worked hard until 65 and then took the trip of a lifetime. He had a terrible accident and lost his life soon thereafter. We don't know the future, but we can take advantage of the present. Be kind to others, enjoy simple pleasures, learn to DIY, have fun game nights or potluck gatherings, attend the church of your choosing, watch after your health, eat good simple food, get out in nature, exercise, relax and keep stress as low as possible. It can be done and you're enjoying that life with good humor, style, and panache. Bravissimo!
Thanks so very much!
My husband and I originally lived in Rhode Island until 2006 sold our starter home moved to Texas. The cost of living was too high in RI money goes further in Texas. We are currently living in a rural area in a nice home making it on one income because we bought a home lower than what the bank approved us for. We also shop at an Aldi or Walmart and buy foods on sale and cut back as well. God Bless my friend.
God Bless you as well! Thank you!
Lots of great advice in this video, Emmy. We, too, retired before 65 but in both our cases, we were pretty much forced to due to health issues. I had to retire at 57 & since I was a part time worked the last 7 years I had no retirement, pension nor any other type of income coming in. It necessitated us living very frugally too. Luckily my retirement was 3 years before Danny had to & we realized when I had to retire that we needed to start working towards the day he would retire. We had no idea his health would take such a turn but we were more prepared for him to stop working because of the health issues that I had. It forced us to take a look at things & prepare so when the time came, we were ok. Luckily he has a 401K and it has continued to grow. We, too, always lived within our means. We lived in our starter homes for 2 years until he was transferred & then the next starter home for 34 years. We moved into our forever home 10 years ago knowing it was our retirement/forever home & we are perfectly content to be here for the rest of our lives. Yes, it is paid for, too, as are all our other debts. Like you & Paul, we starting paying off all debts when we moved here, working towards our retirement. We are both now on Medicare since I turned 65 this month but with all our health issues it was a necessity to purchase supplemental insurance as well. Sometimes life gives you lemons, but we made lemonade out of it. As you said in your video, this is what has worked for us. It’s not for everyone but it works quite well for us & I wouldn’t change a thing!
Thank you so much for sharing Karen!! Hoping this summer will be the year of the meet-up! Can’t wait💕
Frugal Money Saver Me too!!🤞🤞🤞
I’m making my way through your videos and just love the content. Sooo encouraging to me as a 30th something SAHM. Thank you!
So happy you are here Kasey! I'm thrilled you find our videos encouraging! Thank you!
Great HONEST & REALISTIC advice! Thanks!
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Emmy!! We live in our starter house also. 46 years to be exact. We are SS and Medicare age. We own a business, Tubbs Automotive. Larry has basically turned it over to our son. Very hard work all of these years. But he still goes to work every day although he is retired. I don’t think he will ever retire. I retired at the age of 62 but for the time being I work two days a week mainly to get out of the house. My husband doesn’t do shopping, etc. It sure is nice not to have a mortgage or have other unnecessary bills. Loved your video.
Paul and I do flea markets on the side too just for fun LOL. It’s good to keep busy! This works for us but it’s Not for everyone
Congratulations to you both. Yes your right, if you want to retire early then you need to not just live for today but look at what sort of future do you want when you retire and when. My husband and I are in our early 50’s and looking at that right now. Great video 👍🏼
Thank you so much!! Very true about not living for the moment!
Hello: I have just started watching your videos. Kudos to you and Paul. I am 64 and recently retired. My husband retired at 55 at my request. His job was also very physical, and he had done it since he was 15. Both of us were self-employed, so we do not have company pensions. Fortunately, when I was in my mid 20's, I sat beside a newly retired couple on a 4 hour plane ride. They were a very lovely, distinguished couple who were on their way to a cruise in Alaska. I told the gentleman, "When I retire, I want to be able to travel like you." It turns out the gentleman was in finance prior to retiring and he was more than happy to pass on good advice. It was the fastest 4 hour flight ever. I am so grateful to have had the pleasure of sitting beside himand for the knowledge he/ they shared. He told me to diversify my portfolio, meaning - don't put all my eggs in one basket. My retirement success was following his advice. It's one thing to be given good advice. Following it is another. What you and Paul are teaching is great. Kudos again to you both. Anna.
Thanks so much for sharing your journey Anna!
Emmy your a very honest person I which everyone was the same
Awww thank you Brigitte! That is very kind of you!
@@FrugalMoneySaver thanks
Great points. In Australia, 80% of people live above their means and retire broke. It is most likely a similar statistic in the United States.
So glad I found this earlier video of yours. I am happy to learn your background and I really enjoy your videos! You are a breath of fresh air on You Tube 🌞
Thank you so much for your kind words!
As always great advice! ❤❤ i feel so inspired! Change is coming 😀❤❤🙏🙏
That is wonderful! Thank you! So very glad you enjoyed the video!
I found you and Paul on You Tube a few weeks ago. I’m so thrilled that there are others out there who do not subscribe to the mentality that we need all the newest and best. I am a retired RN, worked for 47 years, and couldn’t take one more day! I am single, so every job around the house is mine. I am mortgage and debt free like you, but each month I experience inflation taking more and more out of my pocketbook. I thank you and Paul for encouraging me and I will definitely keep watching. My faith is strong and I thank Our Heavenly Father every day for His blessings!
Oh wonderful! So happy you are here! Thank you! Yes, He is so faithful!
congratulations and excellent advice .
Thank you Sheri!!! Always great to have you stop by😊
Loved your advice and story ❤️😀👏👏👏. Enjoy your well deserved retirement. I wish you both health and a good life. Thank you 🙏❤️.
That is so very kind of you! Thank you so very much!!
Live below your means. SAY IT LOUD FOR THE FOLKS IN BACK
Thanks!
Hubby was forced to retire a couple of years ago at 63, I retired this year at 57. I was so scared when he got pushed into retirement but it worked out. I cannot believe that we are both retired enjoying our life. Yes money can be tight but we still feel blessed everyday😃
Exactly! What a wonderful attitude! Thank you for sharing!
Tfs your experience and tips. My husband and I are working towards retirement and want to make sure we are prepared to live a good life and not be in need.
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!
Thank you for explaining what you did. This is not an option for me, and that's ok. I do not have a job with a pension. I was a single mother of 2, always tried to work a second job - just to make ends meet. Savings was not an option. So - now I am terrified what old age looks like for me. I am 64 with no plan on retiring. Now I pray for good health to keep me going. Your channel is bringing lots of good info & ideas for me - I so appreciate what you do!
So very happy our channel is helpful! Thank you!
debt free lifestyle, so good👍
It sure is!! Thanks for watching Nini!
Thank you for such an inspiring message I think you show that you can be joyful and frugal at the same time. Sometimes I think frugally gets a bad name. People only see it portrayed as being miserly. It is definitely possible to be frugal and generous and giving to others at the same time. Blessings.
Exactly! You can have a full rich abundant life without spending tons of money! Thanks so much for watching!
Wonderful tips next year am going to be 40years and I already starting to save money like that .
Good for you! That’s really great! Thanks for watching!
Excellent tips and advice...very sound early retirement plan. I hope we can do something similar but we're looking at retirement at around 60 IF we can stick to our plan. Life happens and throws curve balls but at least having a goal or reasonable, doable plan helps. Thanks so much for sharing...you're so sweet!
Thank you for the kindness!! I think that helps so much having a goal you’re trying to attain. It helps keep you focused and on track! Thank you so much for all the support!
Emmy, you have truly inspired me. I retired at 66, but my husband continues to work at age 70. He did finally apply to get social security, but I cannot get him to retire, even though his body is wearing down much more now. He tunes and repairs pianos, and it’s murder on his shoulders, back and hips. Seeing his chiropractor and acupuncturist are what is keeping him going, and they are not cheap! I’m going to work up a budget so I can show him that he CAN and MUST retire so that he can rest and finally do things he enjoys. Thank you so much for your channel!❤️…..Brenda
Everyone is so different... I always say everyone's frugal journey is their own.
it feels so good to put your head on your pillow with out worries.please people open your eyes and take control of your money make it work for you.you be surprised how much you can save. You don’t have to put hundreds of dollars in your he bank weekly or by weekly .But please start saving at least 20 dollars. Then put a big chunk from your income tax money you will be so proud try it is the best thing
Great tips Ella thank you!
I just watched this video for the second time. My husband and I are turning 55 this year, and although he will not be able to retire quite yet, we are still hopeful for it to be early!
That's wonderful Sharon!!
Great video. I partially retired at 65, and fully retired at 66. My wife is a bit younger and is still working so I took over many of her former jobs. Today I cleaned the house, made a soda bread for a belated St. Pat's. day, and used up some old bananas by making 2 loaves of banana bread. I also helped a friend, who English is his second language, write some business emails. It may not sound like much, but it was such a joyful day. I wasn't worried about dealing with work problems, and I got to appreciate every moment of the day... even when my wife and daughter kept asking me when they could slice one of the banana bread loaves. Stuff is stuff, experiences are everything and most experiences are simple and lovely.
What a great comment! Mike I disagree it sounds like "Much" to me for sure! It sounds like a wonderful day where you were able to bless others and appreciate it all! LOVE THAT!!
Congratulations on being able to retire early! You’ll get a “raise” when you get social security. Your health insurance is quite spendy!
My husband and I are both 70 and we retired at 62 and 63. Like you, our house was paid for. Our normal SS retirement age is 66, but we started drawing as soon as we retired. We get less each month than if we waited till 66, but we draw for a longer time. For me, the break even point was 78. Of course, If a person works after 62, they may want to delay SS.
You’re younger and have a later full retirement age than 66. Figure out what works best for you. One of my friends waited to retire at 70 because she wanted the extra pension/SS. Her parents are 95 and 102 and she liked her job. She wanted to maximize her income because she figured she live a long time and husband is younger and still worked.
Thanks for the reply! SS will change the game for sure! This lifestyle works for us but it isn’t for everyone.. lol
I too retired at 63 instead of 66. A lot less income being retired, but a lot happier! I learned to work with what I have, and I'm a homebody and happy to not have to get up early to be to a job and especially on snowy days! I had worked since I was a teen and I was so done! :)
I love the content you share. We are young and we’ve set up things do we can retire early. No debt except a very small mortgage which we are looking to pay off ASAP. We bought my grandparents house and restoring it to keep in the family. The house came 100% furnished. We were able to put 20% down so no PMI. We do our best to live as frugal as possible. Always learning for ways to do better! Thanks for your tips.
Love that Courtney! You all are doing really well for sure! Thanks for sharing and watching!
Your video on how to retire at 55 was a great wealth of knowledge! My husband has done very hard physical work over the years.
So glad it was helpful Lisa!
Thank you for your reply🌻🌻
Happy with our lot is most important. Budgeting is a skill that has gone out of fashion. I took basic Commerce in High School and that has helped me to keep tabs on budgeting in every aspect of running a smooth household with 6 children and a hard working husband.
Love to hear that! Good for you!
Wow! I'm glad I looked back to this video which explains your story. My husband and I did something similar in that we paid off our mortgage quickly. I put my paycheck into double payment with my husband's payment for the first three years . The house was paid off in eleven years and we have stayed in it. Ann Arbor is expensive for Michigan but probably not as expensive as N.Y. we also always lived below our means and still do. This way of life is less stressful . My husband is still working past retirement age but that is by choice not necessity. I really like your values when it comes to money and how you spend your time. Sharing with others is a beautiful thing! People need the kind of encouragement you give them. Keep on keeping on.
Thanks so much Janet! Good for you-mortgage FREE!
You’re set an examples for other people. You are inspiration, encouraging and empowering to people, Emmy. Thank you for sharing. 😘😘😘😘😘😘❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍👍
Hi! I really enjoyed your honesty and great advice! I also want to retire at 55 and I will be turning 52 soon. Living a basic life brings me happiness and if I can retire at freedom 55 that would be soooo awesome 😊. Please keep the videos coming. Very inspirational! Take Care!
Thank you so much! So happy you are here thank you!
Thanks Emmy. I find it really inspiring to listen to your story and hear your tips. Sarah x
Thank you so much Sarah! Great to have you as a part of our channel!
Your 1 smart lady 😊
Thank you!
Thank you Amy for all the advices you give us to live our life’s at the fullest I really love your Chanel I’m fairly new subs but I’m in love with the frugal live
Thank you so much Argelia!! So happy you enjoy our channel!
My middle daughter is an investment manager and mortgage advisor.
She has taken her sisters and brother under her wing and they all have pensions, investments, houses of their own or about to get houses, savings and an emergency fund.
Very smart to use your frugal ideas to start a TH-cam channel as a line of revenue also. I"m sure its lots of fun as well!
It's actually turned into an almost full time job LOL!!
My wife and I are looking to retire when I am in my early 50's, and I agree with you that the first rule is not living past your means. We've lived beneath our means, and my wife is now working and our house is paid off. Living debt free from day one except for the house means that we aren't paying interest, effectively a hole in a savings bucket. Folks roll their eyes at me when I tell them to buy a used car if they cannot afford a new one and that they should save before they pay for vacations then get mad and tell me how "rich" I am when I tell them I will be 52 and checking out of work.
So true! Being frugal doesn't mean we have no money...we just choose where went to spend it!
Love this ! You are such an inspiration! Here's hoping I can retire in the next 10 - 15 years
You can do it Carol Ann! Thanks for watching!
Thank you for sharing your life experiences and for your encouragement for me to live more frugal.
You are so welcome!
We are checking the numbers for my husband to retire next spring, at 57 years old.
❤❤❤❤
I’m also very frugal. I’m also an experiences person instead of material goods.
Love that!
I’m going back through and looking at some of your videos that I missed and I noticed you went over 7000 subscribers. Last night you weren’t there! Congratulations!🎉
I know lol! I woke up this morning and I was like "YAY!!" Thank you so much Cathy for your continued support of our channel!
We are in our mid 40s & will start 2021 by looking into what our retirement options are & to ensure if my husband or I become a widow...we'd be able to live comfortably. It's my goal (lofty or not), to semi retire at 55. I'm hoping to only have to work part time to fully fund our Roth IRAs until I'm 62 & then fully retire with the help of SS.
Like you said, we also plan to be debt free by 55.
Yes, retiring debt free just gives you a bit more freedom where money is concerned. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for being an inspiration to financial freedom. Hope your information reaches all ages. Schools don't speak this language and parents can't teach what they don't know. You are a true example your life style can be accomplished. God Bless you and your family ❤️
You as well, thank you!
I always upgraded my home. That’s why I made £100,000 profit. Mortgage paid off. Sold it. Could buy 13 acre’s instead.
I have private health care but it’s absolute peanuts over here in Spain. Great healthcare too.
Another good advice video!
Thank you so much!
My hubby & I always say that the experience is so much more important than the money.....there are so many things that you can do together to experience that doesn't cost money! Such a great channel---love it! :) Thank you. Blessings! Dawn @ Rich & Dawn in MN :)
Absolutely right!
Enjoyed this video, so many families live far beyond their means & one major expense and they are in trouble. Less stress is always better...enjoy your early retirement.
Thanks so very much Lexi!
You ARE talking to friends - I'm one of them! :) Thanks for being so transparent and sharing your life and your good ideas! My husband will retire either this year or next year and we can't wait! When you go on SS, you are going to feel like you got a big raise! Have you thought about what you want to do with that extra money when the time comes? Will you go on SS when Paul turns 62, 65, 67 or 70?
We are not sure yet when we will collect. We still have at least 4 years to think about it until Paul at least is eligible lol!
Good to see this! Iam hell bent on doing it at 50 and being single I should be able to!
Great goal for sure Jack!!
My husband and I retire at 55 we live off our pensions and stated getting our social at 62 i now you get less money at 62 but who said I was going to live to 65 we both almost die with the virus because we live a frugal live we have so much money extra that we put in the bank and don’t owe anything to anybody .take a hold of you finances and you see the peace and contentment you are going to feel . be financially independent and you will fell rich
I love watching your videos. My husband is a NYS employee and if things go the way we have planned he will be able to retire early also. We are the same as you, 15 years into our marriage and still in our 'starter' home. Not sure why they called it a starter home when we moved in, it has everything we need plus! And we're a family of 6. I like that it'll be paid off in 10 years now, so before he retires and we'll be debt free. We'd rather have that than a bigger mortgage. You guys are inspirational! My husband is in LE and doesn't want to be doing that job for another 28 years, no way, it's too stressful.
Oh how wonderful! I wish you both the best of everything! You can do it LOL!
You are inspirational! I feel like you are that cool aunt who gives great advice that you’ll actually listen to. So, what advice would you have for a younger person who has a different perspective on finances than their partner? Ideally, of course, you would agree on that before marriage. I would like to retire by 50 with a few rental properties, but the hubby always wants the latest gadgets, hates leftovers, etc. I drive an old beat-up car that’s paid for and could care less about the latest whatever. How do I convince him that it will be worth it in the long run? What’s a good compromise or do you think we need to be on the same page completely when it comes to finances?
Thanks for being here! How about you and your husband sit together to pick a financial goal together and work toward it? Something that you would both agree on and would like to financially strive for in the future. I think a lot of people see frugality as a sacrifice or as a form of deprivation. One way we can encourage others is by our actions though. By making frugal choices and showing them in a way that is fun, creative, and abundant in other aspects other than money is a great way to go. He is your husband, you love him, and remember that comes before all else💕
Track your expenses for a month and categorize it! Now go through it with him and ‘see’ where the money goes! Figure-out what you have been saving versus what you could save…then extrapolate what that money looks like after 20, 25, 30 years. It can be an eye opening experience! Can he forgo a small pleasure now for the safety and security of you both being financially sound later in life?
My husband and I saved and saved. Paid our house off and my husband worked so hard and looked forward to retirement early but he passed away on Easter Sunday three years ago at 55 of a massive heart attack. I lost the love of my life that day. He provided me even after he passed. I am very happy Paul and you got to retire early. Please enjoy your time together ❤️❤️
Oh I am so so sorry to hear this! My heart aches for you❤️
@@FrugalMoneySaver thank you so much ❤️
I am preparing for early retirement now that I realized that I am a Senior.
Thank you for the advice. 🙏
Thank you for watching! Happy you enjoyed the video USA Always (love that!)
God bless you and Paul. Love your channel, it's such an inspiration. You are a blessing and make me happy.
YAY! Nancy we love to hear that!
Congrats, I'm 50 and have decided to migrate to Canada from our country and suddenly, realized what a challenge it would be for me to give up my government position and live in an expensive country.
Thanks so much for watching!
Great video! I retired at 62. Wished I could've retired at 55 as well. I didn't know ANYthing about Medicare and Medicaid until social security took out my first payment! I thought a person had to SIGN UP for it! Lol. Anyway, after three monthly payments they stopped taking it out as I had the VA taking care of me. I even got all three payments reimbursed! Shocker! As you know I've just recently subscribed, so, I have plenty of catching up to do! Have a blessed day and stay safe y'all!
Welcome!! So glad you are here! Will catch up on your videos as well! Good luck on your channel!! Be well and thank you!
I just love your honest approach and joyful attitude.
Nicole that is so kind of you! Thanks!