Your parents did an *exceptional* job raising you, Nathaniel. I am twice your age almost and haven't achieved what you have in such a short amount of time. I don't know you, but I am proud of you. You deserve everything and more.
I really appreciate the transparency of actual details. Too many people say "oh just have an abundance mindset" but seeing this serious breakdown is eye-opening.
14:57: Money is freedom. Exactly. Probably the single most important bit of info in this video. It still amazes me how many people--even close friends--don't see it this way. It's not about being able to have stuff; it's about giving you freedom to do things...and to get out of situations (especially jobs) that are crushing your soul.
You can be free with little/no money, but your can icrease your confort with more money. Im my perpective it's more abouth confort, and speed. Example, you can walk, but if you pay the bus you go quick, if you pay a taxi you go quickier, if you buy a car you go a little faster (no wait time for the taxi) But if you are stuck at work making the money to buy the car you probably just dont go anyhere. Balance your life!
Money is options, choices, and the power to be cared for. To be fed, housed, clothed, and for medical care. In the US at least, money means you can get medical care and you can never understand the value of that unless you or a loved one has been sick and money is required for them to get the care they need to get well. Money is also the power to leave relationships that aren't working -- some folks remain with a partner because they can't make it alone financially. I never want that to be me so I've always been determined to at least earn enough and save enough to be able to live a lower-middle income life on my own.
You're living the dream that everyone wants, and the difference between you and everyone else who is too is that you are trying to help everyone do the same. Thank you Nathaniel Drew, and congrats on the apartment!
Living in Europe is difficult for many North Americans. It’s not for everyone. Some get soaked up in the romantic notion and reality is much different. Don’t get me wrong, I love living here but there’s lots to get used to like extreme red tape and EVERYTHING taking double or triple the time it takes to get things accomplished in the US. Just mailing a letter can take over an hour. It’s not for everyone. It can be frustrating when you’re accustomed to things working fairly easily and people that are actually helpful, customer service is much, much less stressed in Europe than Canada and the US. It’s almost like you’re doing the bank a favor by putting money into it. There’s lots you have to overlook…not perfect by any means. But the people are much more live and let live. Politics and status are much less stressed.
@@grl9917 these ppl are nuts... leaving america for Europe.... dafuq... Everything is so easy and fast in US... there also many places "europe like" there...
This was great! I love that you said you had the privilege of NOT going to college, which totally flips the usual paradigm! Also, recognizing that success doesn't just happen; it is the result of hard work, sacrifice, and the support of others.
I met a Parisian girl in 2005 - we ended up dating long distance, the relationship got more serious and I moved in 3 years later. It was only then that I discovered she actually owned her apartment (a living inheritance) in a nice Haussmann building, so that worked out really well as neither of us were earning crazy amounts. One thing to be wary about in Paris, is that many of the old apartments have ancient pipework - problems with leakages are all too common, as we discovered! Insurance pay outs don't always cover everything. A few years later we started a family, and ended up leaving Paris (it's a tough city when you have kids - try getting a pushchair on the metro for example, or a crowded bus!), and paid far too much for a house in the country. We fell in love with it but underestimated how much work it required. Now in 2022, we need a new roof, which will cost us almost as much as a small house! I guess you live and learn, but I'm glad we can keep a bit of French history alive for another century or two.
It's always such a pleasure to watch your videos. The music, the rythm, the animations... a lot of hardwork behind every video. A real inspiration for me !
by 'vulnerable' you must mean 'being so honest' (so as to run the risk of exposing yourself, your life ..etc.. too much... to the public and hence to crooks watching this video ...
I rarely comment but wow I just love this video and the storytelling and your mom’s input. Thank you for being so vulnerable and honest. Big congrats on the apartment, you deserve it!!
You have wisdom beyond your years. Listening to you it is easy to forget how young you are. I think you have made a great choice, and am confident you will get back on your feet financially very soon. Bravo! Excited for the life you will continue to build in Paris.
Money is somewhat taboo in my country as well, even people you know really well or close family might find it very uncomfortable to talk about money. The influencer/content creator space is still shrouded in mystery, especially the money side of things and people are curious. Appreciate you sharing! And I love seeing the people I watch being able to fulfill dreams 🙌
Hi Nathaniel, it's truly inspiring for me to watch this video and understand how you could afford buying your house in the center of Paris at the age of 24. I've followed you for a couple years now and I am your age, just about to finish my master's degree. I appreciate the clarity with which you speak about many topics, in this case about financial freedom. It gives me hope about building my own future. You're eager to learn and you've realized money comes from good ideas: now you've earned it all, keep on going like this! Cheers from Italy
Very cool. Always inspired when people seem like an unstoppable train in these situations - people who adapt quickly and solve problems, and end up with apartments in cool cities. I have a few friends who have moved through some rough stuff but continue to progress in life. Reminds me of a quote - "He was his own first obstacle, but would have no man hinder him."
wow, thanks for being so transparent, you're definitely helping others realize that's possible to create the life that you want while being authentic to your values.
How ? It is not possible on a large scale. Only for a few rich people like him. Not everyone can live off a youtube channel selling ... products. So his vcalues are far beyond capitalistic, wich is everything he seems to criticize :/
So happy I watched this - came to you through your dad's vids. I'm old enough to be your grandmother but 20 in my soul. I found this inspirational for those who have focus and endurance and a passion for following their dreams. I've spent decades in the shadows of my highly 'educated' siblngs but truth be told, I've lived the more abundant life following my heart and dreams and succeeding from life's university. The best lectures have been my mistakes! Finally, I've let go of that horrid shame of not having a university degree. What a relief. Keep on teaching and enjoying your rewards - richly deserved.
Your transparency and authenticity is greatly appreciated. Your videos are always of amazing quality as well. Keep going! Wishing you the best in all of your current and future endeavors!!
Your mom's advice at the end is very true. At the end, all you want to say is "hey, I did it, I tried". You did the right thing, and I really appreciate your transparency. Much love man
your mother is absolutely adorable and wise I would love to see you making a video together sometime Also, congratulations on the new apartment you totally earned it
How can anyone criticize when you are so open about your experience and invaluable lessons learned? How does the saying go? "APARTMENT IN PARIS: 1.5M EUROS. LESSONS LEARNED: PRICELESS." I wish that I had your kind of guts when I was young. Good for you! Thank you for sharing.
Interesting video. I moved to France over 35 yrs ago and already owned a flat so selling that put me straight into owning in France. Thanks to rental income I bought 2 more and this increase in rental income paid off all my loans. Now retired I have sold all to avoid the hassle of managing them . But this all took my whole career to achieve; retired at 65. So your achievements are impressive to say the least.
@@NorceCodine Why don't you come straight out and accuse him of lying. Obviously videos must be taken with consideration on their verity or not; but I see no reason why he should be lying and with TH-cam income it does seem achievable.
Good for you Nathaniel. Your honesty and transparency should be a guiding light to other young people in your age group. I think you have been lucky to have the hard-working and passionate genes of your Argentinian parents. It has steered you away from an over-indulgent lifestyle and has allowed you to keep your feet firmly on the ground. I wish you continued success.
Congratulations Nathaniel. Real estate is the best investment you can make, especially in a city like Paris and especially in these times. You may struggle a bit financially at the beginning, but soon you'll realize it was the smartest thing you did.
Real Estate is supposed to be a ladder though, you start small and stair case! Doesn't make sense to spend on a property beyond your means especially when you are young. He could have found a cheaper place to buy and fix up then rent out & wait for property prices to increase to get the equity.
@@Jay-Kay-Buwembo Valid point. But - the cheaper places available may have required more time, money and energy expended, that would be hard to find for someone who is self employed.
I did not realize you have a composer to make your own music. As a musician myself, that is uniquely beautiful to me and adds so much higher value production to your videos for me, as it's a small detail I haven't noticed but going further will appreciate more!
As a freelance photographer money is one of the most terrifying subjects to talk about, especially as a 23 year old. Watching videos and people like Nathanial talk openly about this subject gives so much insurance to me in a way, great work Nathanial
Thank you for being transparent! Money shouldn’t be taboo. It’s conversations like these that help everyone. Congrats on the new place. It’s going to be awesome
This is literally one of the best youtube videos I've ever seen and is going in my playlist (of the best youtube videos ever made) It's tough to be this vocal and open about yourself and especially finance but I so so need this. I'm 18 right now and I feel so confused yet i don't wanna make the same mistakes everyone does and I kid you not this helped me so much. Thankyou!!
That apartment is a work of art. Congratulations! Try not to worry, it feels scary but in a few years it will all work out and you'll have another huge amount saved in the bank again for your next endeavour. I LOVE when people are open about money, thanks for sharing.
Congratulations, Nathaniel! I don't know why discussing money is taboo in so many cultures, these conversations only help others to understand how money works. Thank you! Merci bien!
Good for you! Sorry this is so long, but you remind me so much of my late husband that I just had to tell this story after watching your wonderful video. As young, college educated newlywed’s in the early 1970’s, my husband and I were middle income earners. We agreed that we wanted to wait to buy a home until we could save enough to buy one without being “house poor.” In the early 1980’s, we were ready, but new home interest rates had skyrocketed to 15%. By then, many of our friends were buying their second, larger homes at the 15% interest rate! We did just the opposite. We shopped around for a lower interest rate and bought a modest starter home, making upgrades over time. We watched interest rates drop, and when they got down to half of what we were paying, we refinanced our mortgage, which lowered our payment drastically. But rather than buy a fancier home, we stayed put, invested the extra money into our retirement fund, and paid off our mortgage. When we sold our starter home, we paid cash for a country home with acreage and a workshop. To us, having a mortgage free home and a healthy retirement fund meant security. (We had made mistakes in our early years, but, like you, we learned from them and didn’t repeat them.) As it turned out, most of our financial decisions were sound. Neither of us were into status symbols and never owned or wanted a luxury car. (Although I did surprise my husband with a top of the line luxury truck with all the bells and whistles for his retirement.) But even though we were only middle income earners, we enjoyed a full life, saw most of the US, including Hawaii and Alaska, and took several other wonderful trips and cruises. As in our early marriage, to this day, I get a kick out of finding gently used treasures for next to nothing and mixing them with new. I have a wardrobe that will take me anywhere, with some pieces that are expensive classics that I’ve loved and worn 20-30 years, still look like new, and will never go out of style. (I admit some of my vintage sweatshirts are threadbare but I still love wearing them!) Visitors to my home comment on the beautiful decor, and they have no idea some pieces cost $5 and some cost $1,000. Sadly, my husband passed away several years ago. I am now 70, and have met single men from 60-80, who, although high income professionals, seemed to somehow be lacking in the area of money sense. They drive luxury cars, take exotic trips, have expensive boats, gun collections, and golf club memberships, yet some say they returned to work because they worried about “not having enough money to live on.” One even told me he had never lived on any kind of budget, because there was always more where that came from. (Talk about a red flag! Men like this scare me!) I hope you will meet a young woman who shares your sense of adventure, work ethic, intelligence, disposition, ability to learn from mistakes, and willingness to do the right thing. And last, if you or any of your subscribers have not yet read “The Millionaire Next Door” or “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” I highly recommend them. You won’t be sorry! Best wishes for a bright future!
I love how open you are with this topic... As Western European I knew that Paris is "difficult" when buying a home.. but what you show in this series is 10 times worse. I admire how you made it through the (worst) struggles so far. It´s also a great example of the power of minimalism / frugalism / essentialism.
My wonderful, loving, lower working class parents raised us with a strong work ethic but did not teach us to save. Teaching and modelling financial literacy is one of the best gifts one can give their children.
Wow, Nathan! You demonstrate the focus and resilience it takes to become a first-time buyer in the Paris real estate market. Congratulations, man! You figured out the fundamentals that friends and acquaintances of mine (with graduate degrees and good jobs, no less!) have never grasped or acted upon, despite their decades of experience in this city. Well done, kiddo!
fascinating - i have wondered how this whole new "industry" worked. and it's interesting on multiple levels, sociological economic, psychology of the creator and the audience, etc... the monetizing of an individual's values and personality, who has access to this industry and who doesn't... so many facets. very interesting. thanks for outlining it.
Thank you for your vulnerability. I just bought my first house a year ago and it can feel so taboo to talk about financial mistakes and the rush of desperation when buying a property. I can relate to a lot of your comments made
saving money in your teens was like a reminder to me to commit more to my bullet journal of saving. Your videos helped through these years of college of organizing, minimalism, saving, mindfulness, we are lucky to have you .
I love the transparency and openness. Anyone else would’ve just shown off the accomplishment, but I love that you showed us the difficulty that went into making this decision.
Thank you for this, honestly! As someone who wants to go down this creative road and wasn’t well educated when it comes to money, I need this transparency from creators I admire. Thank you ☺️
Hi Nathaniel, first time commenter here. I wanted to say thank you for this video, because transparency around topics like money and success is really rare, but as people without money or without so-called "success" or achievements, we crave these sharings so much. I would like to say that although it's nothing that you can control, and it's not your responsibility, it is true that the money you've been able to make is also largely due to your origins. the fact that you were born and raised in the states alone gives you a great advantage (i.e. your passport. technological, economical and symbolic resources and privileges that again, are out of your control, but you do have them automatically, with no particular merit from your part). as a person born and raised in the 3rd world, there is no way imaginable for me that I could make those numbers, even if I worked that hard. and I don't mean your actual income, just the minimum wage you mentioned you had at age 13. I would make 3000 usd if i worked 9 hours everyday for 15 months. So anyways, I just thought it was a good disclaimer because these videos tend to feed on a fantasy that the audience has. I include myself in this. It is a dream of mine to buy a house of my own, also somewhere in mediterranean europe, and to live off my passion. I envy you and I'm inspired by you both. I hope you don't take this the wrong way, because I love your videos and find them very inspiring. I only shared to share, not with the intent of placing guilt or anything like that. I'm also curious as to why you don't speak to your parents in spanish, since that's their native tongue and you can speak it I think? anyways thank you for the video and cheers from Argentina :)
I’m literally never going to complain again about my job, my house, or any trivial nonsense. At least I hope not. Thank you so much for this much needed perspective. 👊🏻❤️
I hear you. Sometimes place in the world has an impact but also having a health, family/support network. It is a privilege to have a family/support network. My experience of cPTSD has meant I have no family or support network, need to rent & pay my way since 19. The independence I enjoy but I’ve learnt it’s restricted by cPTSD. As a result of cPTSD I’m unable to hold down a job or career that’s bigger than minimum wage, I have tried multiple times to get treatment &support but cannot afford it because of the job situation & so it goes. It’s not for want of trying to help myself, I believe in personal responsibility but the crippling effects of domestic/child abuse (flash backs, triggers) cannot be underestimated. Despite living in a relatively wealthy country& having a good education (albeit not university or college) much of this is completely undermined by abuse. I don’t mean this as a pity party, I think of the many others I’ve encountered from similar backgrounds & overall I’ve been very fortunate not to have ended up in drugs or other form of addiction to cope or dead. People say you make your own luck, although luck is by nature something out of our control. I think it’s about being thankful for the small things like breathing, nature, stars in the sky, watching clouds, my feet on the Earth, sunrise & sunsets, summer rain, spring flowers, autumn leaves, connecting with interesting & likeminded people etc…& in some way creating space for the things you love no matter how small. The American dream & concept of meritocracy, ‘anyone can make it’ doesn’t acknowledge that sometimes there are good reasons why people are in the situations they’re in & it’s not from want of trying or motivation, no deserves to be poor just as no one can truly say they deserve to be rich.. Success & suffering are relative terms, as Nathanial says he recognises his privilege & I have found the concept of Amor Fati (loving one’s fate) that he talks about in another video very encouraging. This might be what success looks like for Nathaniel but this is his life & perhaps not as straightforward as it might seem, equally it’s not so much about what he has materially as it is about happiness. All the things he does are underlined by the fact he seeks happiness just like anyone else . He talks about happiness in another of his videos. Happiness is also relative, different people will be happy from different things because they have different life experiences. I find seeing things this way much more empowering because the material comparison doesn’t matter neither does it matter what your experience or world location because anybody has the capacity to be happy, they might not have the capacity to be a millionaire or buy a fancy apartment or travel the world, BUT they can still find happiness & be happy. It’s unconditional. Despite your struggles, you have value & although the nature of the struggle is different I hope you know that in you’re struggling you’re not alone. Happiness/contentment isn’t so much in the goals or the material or big things as it is the process & seeking simple joys… I hope you find them & the extraordinary wealth that’s beyond any price tag 💖 🙏✨
Nathaniel - I've never seen any TH-camr / online creator / influencer be this transparent about how they make money and their income! Thanks for sharing this information so that others may learn from you and for those of us who just find that type of non-traditional career to be fascinating.
Holy shit this apartment building in Paris costs about as much as a nice single-family home in Ontario, Canada (or the smallest, most rundown single-family home you'd ever find in Toronto). Really puts things in perspective.
Criticism? I think you're fucking BRILLIANT. And anyone who says otherwise, is talking through their youknowwhat. And the 'mistakes' you made....? YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO MAKE MISTAKES!!!! It's called "Life!!!" That's what it's for. You are the loveliest individual and I wish you the very BEST of the best. And I KNOW what I'm talking about because I moved to Paris in March of 1982, at the age of 24 and was dirt poor and it was the very best time of my life (incredibly difficult, as YOU will know/understand) ... and only left, to come back to the States in the very last days of 1996, to look after my Mum ... who had Alzheimer's. (Then got stuck here). Bravo to you!! You are going to have the best life BECAUSE YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IS IMPORTANT!!! And you are the most financially wise person, despite whatever you think. I am in awe. Well done! And, as others have mentioned, and it is TRUE; it is admirable that you have shared all the details of HOW YOU DID THIS with us. That takes courage ... and a LOT of organization and time. Wow!! Blessings!
Buying a place, always takes you to the edge, financially. It makes you feel exposed, but a few years down the line, it feels normal, and then later more comfortable. And then you realise, you would never be able to afford what you’ve already afforded!
I just love your mom! I am just amazed with you evey time I watch one of your videos! You are an amazing person and I’m excited to watch your journey. Congratulations on owning your own home!
You opening up in such a way and talking money talk is deserving a praise. Thank you for lifting the taboo as well as for the work you are putting out!
Thank you for so frankly sharing this hard financial lesson. Many people, much older than you, realize they’ve over-extended themselves too late to make much of the money back to replenish their nest eggs. Never regret investing in yourself and the dreams that keep you happy and creating! I’m wishing you the best of every good thing!
Really appreciate your transparency and humility about all this. It's nice to get a peek behind the curtain to see all that's involved not only in the apartment purchase, but also in the business that you've built on TH-cam. Congratulations, and best wishes to you!
Nathaniel, I've been here since 2016, I'm 23 and an endlessly curious individual in pursuit of meaning, whatever that means lol! You inspire me and make me feel less alone in such a (what seems to be) superficial world! It's been a privilege to be a part of your journey ❤️
First, love your mom! what's a sweet momma; loved the ending. Second..boy this hit home. I also bought my first place place on my own a week before the pandemic. I fell in love with the view (it was a waterfront bungalow). I saw potential in it and how it could be with the renovations. I wanted to host art collaborative workshops, events (it was a 2 acre property as well). I saw so much potential of collective living. As a self employed person I had to do 20% downpayment which was 140k plus closing cost and land transfer was another $80k. It was a lot! I had saved all the money for 3 years from my business while I worked full-time (I quit in 2019) so that's where my money came from. I lost my parents long time ago so I was on my own so i didn't have any support financially to do this. Statistically where I am from, someone like me shouldn't be able to buy a place on their own. Then I started the reno. DURING covid...i got scammed twice by contractors and finally found my 3rd..I cost me another $250k to do the renovations....I was all of a sudden over leveraged....I was scared, stressed, depressed..no one to talk to. I kept wondering what would happen if my clients stopped hiring me. Luckily the market went insane with the housing prices and I just sold my dream home in May. Yes it was difficult but i can sleep again. I missed my simple life. I made back my money plus some profit..I am lucky. I did buy another one but in another city where cost of living is much lower and one that doesn't require any renovations. Thank you for being so honest, transparent and vulnerable. We don't talk about finances and especially when we make financial mistakes. For me, it was out of shame and the persona or perception of who I felt I was being viewed as. I felt I couldn't be weak or vulnerable anymore. All of sudden having a house meant I am "rich" and money is not a problem. Anyway I am rambling. Thanks for sharing :-) i truly felt seen.
Video about investing? You always make things so easy to understand and also touch on the personal/psychological/emotional side of these decisions which is super helpful and engaging. My money is losing value but I’m scared to not have access to it or worse to lose it.
Im so glad that We All helped Nathaniel to get his Dream apartment, at least for just *tiiiiiiiiny* bit, by watching his videos! Great video, love the honesty, this IS great for everyone wanting to buy something for themselves.
Thank you for sharing and being transparent. That was my exact thought when I saw you bought an apartment in Paris. Like “how did you afford it?” I don’t look at this video as a flex but as an inspiration to save and eventually build wealth.
I love how transparent you've been in describing every aspect of why and how you did this. Really inspiring, thank you so much for sharing the good and the bad. Wish you the best & I hope this apartment will provide you with the comfort you needed to take more risks and live the life you wanna live !
Agreed, you should be transparent. The problem I have with him is that Nathaniel Drew, or should I say Nathaniel Barintein, isn't really truthful about his background. He said that he got interested in filming when he came back from France, yet his family owns a filming company (Zenergy Films LLC), and was even involved with filming when they lived in California. He says that his family didn't really have money, but they bought their house in 2008 for $635,000, which was three times the national average at the time. They also just sold their house for $1.8 million, in the same month that Nathan bought his apartment. He also created his own LLC in 2018 when his channel was barely off the ground and over 2 years old. A few months later, he got over 1 million views on the channel. And, as far as editing, I do wonder if he does his editing or if it is his dad.
everytime they say "I did this amazing thing at 20 something with only hard work" i roll my eyes. It is always the parents, the silver spoon in reality that did it.
Honestly almost sickening when I see mediocre rich people with no shame shoving their faces in our faces... why cant they just live quietly in their wealth
You never stop inspiring, really! First it was your videos about mental health, clarity, learning languages and just having better habits in life. Now you are also showing another side of life and it's so useful and interesting. Thank you so much Nathaniel!
Time stamp? Fuck that. Your content in its entirety is masterclass. Had to watch a few of your videos in my philosophy class in uni. My professor loves you dude!
Just found you watching apartments in Paris. Thank you for sharing the finances of youtube and your apt purchase so candidly. Every time I read financial news about the job statistics I shake my head because they aren’t counting the significance of TH-camrs like you and your alternative income streams.
Amazing video. Being able to buy a property is so so complex - far beyond affordability. That's why we should never compare ourselves to other people and the superficial assumptions we make about them. Setting our own goals, and pursuing those at our own pace is what we'll get us there.
I have been a viewer for a few years now and one of the main reasons I watch your videos is because I always come away feeling like I’ve learnt something! Thank you for your transparency and congratulations on your new home 💕✨
Love love love seeing snippets of your friendship with Sadia! You two seem to share such a beautiful bond :) Other than that, what a fantastic video. It was so interesting to learn about "Lifestyle Creep" - such a fascinating concept. Kudos to you for being brave enough to admit your mistakes so that the rest of us can learn from them. Thank you so much ❤️
Appreciate your transparency bro, you're one of the very few TH-camrs I follow. Thanks for sharing and making the rest of us feel normal when we've done the same things lol, literally. I'm Uruguayan so always love to hear you and your parents hablando con acento Rioplatense! You deserve the success, you've put in the work and started from the bottom, no cutting corners so its not a surprise starting to see the fruit of your labor. You being this transparent is what makes you authentic, because you really dont have to do this so whoever spends their time in criticizing you in a way that's not constructive, just means they feel threatened by your vulnerability. Jesus loves you bro!
I loved this video! I’d fantasized about retiring in Europe, leaving the US behind. This helped me to understand some things I hadn’t considered. You’re an inspiration.
All you said is true. Yet, it’s consistent with your bent for taking risks. You, perhaps, weren’t economically sensible, but given your life vision and dream, your gut told you to leap. That’s life, a series of leaps. Thanks for opening up. 💕💕💕
This is quite a transparent, honest, and amazing story. Thank you for your honesty, especially about really wanting the property so bad that it blinds you to some financial realities. Like your mother says, multiply your renovation budget by four. And those hidden fees and expenses---god! But I hope your're able to make it and call Paris home. It's a great place to live once you own property.
Well done you! Hearing you say you saved back in your early teens is so impressive. Very happy for you to own a beautiful apartment in PARIS! Oh how many of us dream of doing that?! So happy for you. Well deserved. Enjoy your home. 😀🤗🌱🌱💚
You have one of my favorite channels. Your transparency is so refreshing! Thank you so much for sharing this information and breaking things down in a way that’s easy to digest. 🙌🏽
You've been such an inspiration to me these past few years! At the moment I'm still in college studying digital design and development, but I'm hoping I can become location independent and travel to lots of places like you do! I hope I can have just as much of a full life as you do and have my own house or apartment one day. You're an inspiration to many and I can't wait to see how your life will further unfold!
This was one of my favourites! A realistic look at the journey of the artistic pursuit and being true to you. Bravo! Looking forward to the next one:)👍👍👍👍
Thank you so much for your transparency! I'm 25 and still living at home so I can keep growing my savings and pay off some of my student loans before I move out. Having to start again from $0 is such a huge fear of mine, but it's great to see that you're managing to take it in stride and enjoy your investment and what you can do with it. I'd love a breakdown of how much it cost to rent and stay in AirBnBs up until you found a place.
Hey Nathanael, thanks a lot for this. I actually made the same mistake as you did. I'm an owner of a house, and I could not be happier, but I had to really tighten my belt and now I'm tied to a place in a way that non-home owner won't ever experience. Actually, there was a study done that showed that if you buy a house/appartement too soon, you could end up poorer because of lack of enough financial cushion as well as not being able to move as freely as before meaning you could miss a lot of business opportunities. But to me, in a way, this house is my way of telling "my life first, business second" and fuck it if I'm not gonna be rich in the future, at least I'm going to be where I want to be, with who I want to be with.
I loved how transparent you are and spoke about finances and difficulty that comes along while buying a property, it surely is going to help a lot of people!
Good for you! I love to see people doing well. I wish I had been that motivated in my twenties. Your content is lovely. I ran into similar problems when trying to sell my house and move into another. Everything cost much, much more. It's crazy, the bank and the real estate agents don't tell you how much it all adds up. It got to the point when trying to sell that the house I had inherited, built by my great, great, grandfather, was basically worthless because it wasn't up to code. So I decided to keep it and rent it out. When I move to Seattle I will be renting.
Thank you Nathaniel for sharing your experience regarding the purchase of your apartment in Paris. I love that you impart the knowledge that you have personally gained and share it with us, your viewers. That in itself can be so valuable. I appreciate your honesty, your transparency and vulnerability which makes your videos a delight to watch. You radiate your authenticity. Thank you for being true and real!!!
Congrats on the appartment Nathaniel! It is a great accomplishment..although stressful! I love watching your videos. Thank you for being so transparent about your financial situation. Very valuable information!! BTW love the socks of different colors at 18:04!! I do that too!
You and Damon dropping finance videos at the same time… I needed this thank you so much! Money is such a hard topic to just understand and get around let alone figure out and work in the system of! I thank you guys so much for this!
Did not skip a single second. Thank you for being so transparent, Nate. This video has really been a great help. Keep shining, you ⭐. Love from India! 🇮🇳
That’s probably a good thing for the housing market. Here in the Netherlands we have a big problem with more wealthy people buying a lot of houses because they can easily overbid low income people.
It takes guts to share this and we all appreciate your honesty and transparency man! 🙌🏽
Absolutely, and I bet your story will be wonderful than others, the content you produce is just mesmerizing and one of the best here
Your parents did an *exceptional* job raising you, Nathaniel. I am twice your age almost and haven't achieved what you have in such a short amount of time. I don't know you, but I am proud of you. You deserve everything and more.
100% agree
100% Nathaniel has phenomenal parents from the videos we've seen them in. Sadly, it's kind of rare for people's parents to be that great.
I feel like it does come down to a persons parenting/childhood and also education :)
We don’t all get so lucky
Same.
Hahahahahahahahahaha
I really appreciate the transparency of actual details. Too many people say "oh just have an abundance mindset" but seeing this serious breakdown is eye-opening.
Totally agreed. Oh the gurus of our times… 😅
Just have $600k cash 🙄
14:57: Money is freedom. Exactly. Probably the single most important bit of info in this video. It still amazes me how many people--even close friends--don't see it this way. It's not about being able to have stuff; it's about giving you freedom to do things...and to get out of situations (especially jobs) that are crushing your soul.
Exactly right! 🙌🏻💯
You can be free with little/no money, but your can icrease your confort with more money. Im my perpective it's more abouth confort, and speed.
Example, you can walk, but if you pay the bus you go quick, if you pay a taxi you go quickier, if you buy a car you go a little faster (no wait time for the taxi)
But if you are stuck at work making the money to buy the car you probably just dont go anyhere.
Balance your life!
Hence the systematic problem ? x)
Money is options, choices, and the power to be cared for. To be fed, housed, clothed, and for medical care. In the US at least, money means you can get medical care and you can never understand the value of that unless you or a loved one has been sick and money is required for them to get the care they need to get well. Money is also the power to leave relationships that aren't working -- some folks remain with a partner because they can't make it alone financially. I never want that to be me so I've always been determined to at least earn enough and save enough to be able to live a lower-middle income life on my own.
@@danielgoncalves2771 also walking is beneficial for your health, if you walk 1 hour/day I think you also cover the body’s need for movement.
taking notes so i can move in next door ✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼
i was manifesting this friendship and here we are
YES WE NEED THIS
JACK ILYYY
@@gabriellas yassss!
Please become friends and make videos together
I am flabbergasted that you are only 24. Congrats on your success, you are literally living the dream.
You're living the dream that everyone wants, and the difference between you and everyone else who is too is that you are trying to help everyone do the same. Thank you Nathaniel Drew, and congrats on the apartment!
Living in Europe is difficult for many North Americans. It’s not for everyone. Some get soaked up in the romantic notion and reality is much different. Don’t get me wrong, I love living here but there’s lots to get used to like extreme red tape and EVERYTHING taking double or triple the time it takes to get things accomplished in the US. Just mailing a letter can take over an hour. It’s not for everyone. It can be frustrating when you’re accustomed to things working fairly easily and people that are actually helpful, customer service is much, much less stressed in Europe than Canada and the US. It’s almost like you’re doing the bank a favor by putting money into it. There’s lots you have to overlook…not perfect by any means. But the people are much more live and let live. Politics and status are much less stressed.
@@grl9917 these ppl are nuts... leaving america for Europe.... dafuq...
Everything is so easy and fast in US...
there also many places "europe like" there...
This was great! I love that you said you had the privilege of NOT going to college, which totally flips the usual paradigm! Also, recognizing that success doesn't just happen; it is the result of hard work, sacrifice, and the support of others.
I agree
I met a Parisian girl in 2005 - we ended up dating long distance, the relationship got more serious and I moved in 3 years later. It was only then that I discovered she actually owned her apartment (a living inheritance) in a nice Haussmann building, so that worked out really well as neither of us were earning crazy amounts. One thing to be wary about in Paris, is that many of the old apartments have ancient pipework - problems with leakages are all too common, as we discovered! Insurance pay outs don't always cover everything.
A few years later we started a family, and ended up leaving Paris (it's a tough city when you have kids - try getting a pushchair on the metro for example, or a crowded bus!), and paid far too much for a house in the country. We fell in love with it but underestimated how much work it required. Now in 2022, we need a new roof, which will cost us almost as much as a small house! I guess you live and learn, but I'm glad we can keep a bit of French history alive for another century or two.
nice story!
Bravo.. Paris will always be a « step » unless you’re raise and born in here
Every man's wet dream to find a woman with money and magically fall in love and never have to worry about anything again.
@@amywalker7515 someone's bitter lol
@@globaladdict she didn't lie
It's always such a pleasure to watch your videos. The music, the rythm, the animations... a lot of hardwork behind every video. A real inspiration for me !
Thank you for being so vulnerable here! Especially when it comes to finances!
Realism, Enthusiasm, Optimism 👍
vulnerable LMAO , give us a break, how is this vulnerable. Guy earns 100's of thousand's buys an apt. this is not showing vulnerability.
'' Ali Andreea''. '' Thank you for being so vulnerable.''? What are you talking about? Your comment has NO sense.
by 'vulnerable' you must mean 'being so honest' (so as to run the risk of exposing yourself, your life ..etc.. too much... to the public and hence to crooks watching this video ...
I rarely comment but wow I just love this video and the storytelling and your mom’s input. Thank you for being so vulnerable and honest. Big congrats on the apartment, you deserve it!!
You have wisdom beyond your years. Listening to you it is easy to forget how young you are. I think you have made a great choice, and am confident you will get back on your feet financially very soon. Bravo! Excited for the life you will continue to build in Paris.
Money is somewhat taboo in my country as well, even people you know really well or close family might find it very uncomfortable to talk about money. The influencer/content creator space is still shrouded in mystery, especially the money side of things and people are curious. Appreciate you sharing! And I love seeing the people I watch being able to fulfill dreams 🙌
Hi Nathaniel, it's truly inspiring for me to watch this video and understand how you could afford buying your house in the center of Paris at the age of 24. I've followed you for a couple years now and I am your age, just about to finish my master's degree. I appreciate the clarity with which you speak about many topics, in this case about financial freedom. It gives me hope about building my own future. You're eager to learn and you've realized money comes from good ideas: now you've earned it all, keep on going like this! Cheers from Italy
your videos are hands down so professionally made...appreciate all the videos you do...so insightful
Very cool. Always inspired when people seem like an unstoppable train in these situations - people who adapt quickly and solve problems, and end up with apartments in cool cities. I have a few friends who have moved through some rough stuff but continue to progress in life. Reminds me of a quote - "He was his own first obstacle, but would have no man hinder him."
wow, thanks for being so transparent, you're definitely helping others realize that's possible to create the life that you want while being authentic to your values.
❗️
How ? It is not possible on a large scale. Only for a few rich people like him. Not everyone can live off a youtube channel selling ... products.
So his vcalues are far beyond capitalistic, wich is everything he seems to criticize :/
So happy I watched this - came to you through your dad's vids. I'm old enough to be your grandmother but 20 in my soul. I found this inspirational for those who have focus and endurance and a passion for following their dreams. I've spent decades in the shadows of my highly 'educated' siblngs but truth be told, I've lived the more abundant life following my heart and dreams and succeeding from life's university. The best lectures have been my mistakes! Finally, I've let go of that horrid shame of not having a university degree. What a relief. Keep on teaching and enjoying your rewards - richly deserved.
Your transparency and authenticity is greatly appreciated. Your videos are always of amazing quality as well. Keep going! Wishing you the best in all of your current and future endeavors!!
Your mom's advice at the end is very true. At the end, all you want to say is "hey, I did it, I tried". You did the right thing, and I really appreciate your transparency. Much love man
your mother is absolutely adorable and wise I would love to see you making a video together sometime
Also, congratulations on the new apartment you totally earned it
How can anyone criticize when you are so open about your experience and invaluable lessons learned? How does the saying go? "APARTMENT IN PARIS: 1.5M EUROS. LESSONS LEARNED: PRICELESS." I wish that I had your kind of guts when I was young. Good for you! Thank you for sharing.
Interesting video. I moved to France over 35 yrs ago and already owned a flat so selling that put me straight into owning in France. Thanks to rental income I bought 2 more and this increase in rental income paid off all my loans. Now retired I have sold all to avoid the hassle of managing them .
But this all took my whole career to achieve; retired at 65. So your achievements are impressive to say the least.
You should start making TH-cam videos!
Don't believe everything you see on TH-cam.
@@NorceCodine Why don't you come straight out and accuse him of lying. Obviously videos must be taken with consideration on their verity or not; but I see no reason why he should be lying and with TH-cam income it does seem achievable.
Very impressive! this is my goal long-term as well at the moment I am just an intern in France :) hahaha
Good for you Nathaniel. Your honesty and transparency should be a guiding light to other young people in your age group. I think you have been lucky to have the hard-working and passionate genes of your Argentinian parents. It has steered you away from an over-indulgent lifestyle and has allowed you to keep your feet firmly on the ground. I wish you continued success.
Congratulations Nathaniel. Real estate is the best investment you can make, especially in a city like Paris and especially in these times. You may struggle a bit financially at the beginning, but soon you'll realize it was the smartest thing you did.
Real Estate is supposed to be a ladder though, you start small and stair case! Doesn't make sense to spend on a property beyond your means especially when you are young. He could have found a cheaper place to buy and fix up then rent out & wait for property prices to increase to get the equity.
@@Jay-Kay-Buwembo Valid point. But - the cheaper places available may have required more time, money and energy expended, that would be hard to find for someone who is self employed.
I did not realize you have a composer to make your own music. As a musician myself, that is uniquely beautiful to me and adds so much higher value production to your videos for me, as it's a small detail I haven't noticed but going further will appreciate more!
As a freelance photographer money is one of the most terrifying subjects to talk about, especially as a 23 year old. Watching videos and people like Nathanial talk openly about this subject gives so much insurance to me in a way, great work Nathanial
i love transparent vids like this 🤍
Congrats on all the growth! It’s inspiring to see how far you’ve come. To the future 🥂
Thank you for being transparent! Money shouldn’t be taboo. It’s conversations like these that help everyone. Congrats on the new place. It’s going to be awesome
This is literally one of the best youtube videos I've ever seen and is going in my playlist (of the best youtube videos ever made)
It's tough to be this vocal and open about yourself and especially finance but I so so need this. I'm 18 right now and I feel so confused yet i don't wanna make the same mistakes everyone does and I kid you not this helped me so much. Thankyou!!
You're such a positive thinker. which is great in now a days!
That apartment is a work of art. Congratulations! Try not to worry, it feels scary but in a few years it will all work out and you'll have another huge amount saved in the bank again for your next endeavour. I LOVE when people are open about money, thanks for sharing.
Congratulations, Nathaniel! I don't know why discussing money is taboo in so many cultures, these conversations only help others to understand how money works. Thank you! Merci bien!
Good for you! Sorry this is so long, but you remind me so much of my late husband that I just had to tell this story after watching your wonderful video.
As young, college educated newlywed’s in the early 1970’s, my husband and I were middle income earners. We agreed that we wanted to wait to buy a home until we could save enough to buy one
without being “house poor.” In the early 1980’s, we were ready, but new home interest rates had skyrocketed to 15%. By then, many of our friends were buying their second, larger homes at the 15% interest rate!
We did just the opposite. We shopped around for a lower interest rate and bought a modest starter home, making upgrades over time. We watched interest rates drop, and when they got down to half of what we were paying, we refinanced our mortgage, which lowered our payment drastically. But rather than buy a fancier home, we stayed put, invested the extra money into our retirement fund, and paid off our mortgage. When we sold our starter home, we paid cash for a country home with acreage and a workshop. To us, having a mortgage free home and a healthy retirement fund meant security. (We had made mistakes in our early years, but, like you, we learned from them and didn’t repeat them.) As it turned out, most of our financial decisions were sound.
Neither of us were into status symbols and never owned or wanted a luxury car. (Although I did surprise my husband with a top of the line luxury truck with all the bells and whistles for his retirement.)
But even though we were only middle income earners, we enjoyed a full life, saw most of the US, including Hawaii and Alaska, and took several other wonderful trips and cruises.
As in our early marriage, to this day, I get a kick out of finding gently used treasures for next to nothing and mixing them with new. I have a wardrobe that will take me anywhere, with some pieces that are expensive classics that I’ve loved and worn 20-30 years, still look like new, and will never go out of style. (I admit some of my vintage sweatshirts are threadbare but I still love wearing them!) Visitors to my home comment on the beautiful decor, and they have no idea some pieces cost $5 and some cost $1,000.
Sadly, my husband passed away several years ago. I am now 70, and have met single men from 60-80, who, although high income professionals, seemed to somehow be lacking in the area of money sense. They drive luxury cars, take exotic trips, have expensive boats, gun collections, and golf club memberships, yet some say they returned to work because they worried about “not having enough money to live on.” One even told me he had never lived on any kind of budget, because there was always more where that came from. (Talk about a red flag! Men like this scare me!)
I hope you will meet a young woman who shares your sense of adventure, work ethic, intelligence, disposition, ability to learn from mistakes, and willingness to do the right thing.
And last, if you or any of your subscribers have not yet read “The Millionaire Next Door” or “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” I highly recommend them. You won’t be sorry!
Best wishes for a bright future!
Thank you so much for sharing that beautiful story ! 🙌🏽
Just proves common sense ain't so common.
Wow. This was inspiring!
Thanks for sharing 🙌
Thank you for sharing❤
I love how open you are with this topic... As Western European I knew that Paris is "difficult" when buying a home.. but what you show in this series is 10 times worse. I admire how you made it through the (worst) struggles so far. It´s also a great example of the power of minimalism / frugalism / essentialism.
My wonderful, loving, lower working class parents raised us with a strong work ethic but did not teach us to save. Teaching and modelling financial literacy is one of the best gifts one can give their children.
Wow, Nathan! You demonstrate the focus and resilience it takes to become a first-time buyer in the Paris real estate market. Congratulations, man! You figured out the fundamentals that friends and acquaintances of mine (with graduate degrees and good jobs, no less!) have never grasped or acted upon, despite their decades of experience in this city. Well done, kiddo!
fascinating - i have wondered how this whole new "industry" worked. and it's interesting on multiple levels, sociological economic, psychology of the creator and the audience, etc... the monetizing of an individual's values and personality, who has access to this industry and who doesn't... so many facets. very interesting. thanks for outlining it.
I think this is the topic that sometimes people do not talk, but it's a reality. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for your vulnerability. I just bought my first house a year ago and it can feel so taboo to talk about financial mistakes and the rush of desperation when buying a property. I can relate to a lot of your comments made
saving money in your teens was like a reminder to me to commit more to my bullet journal of saving. Your videos helped through these years of college of organizing, minimalism, saving, mindfulness, we are lucky to have you .
Its so amazing watching you grow throughout the few years! Looking forward to whats yet to come! Love from Dubai ❤️
I love the transparency and openness. Anyone else would’ve just shown off the accomplishment, but I love that you showed us the difficulty that went into making this decision.
Thank you for this, honestly! As someone who wants to go down this creative road and wasn’t well educated when it comes to money, I need this transparency from creators I admire. Thank you ☺️
15:40 The fact you include these sort of details while others hide it is everything.
Hi Nathaniel, first time commenter here. I wanted to say thank you for this video, because transparency around topics like money and success is really rare, but as people without money or without so-called "success" or achievements, we crave these sharings so much.
I would like to say that although it's nothing that you can control, and it's not your responsibility, it is true that the money you've been able to make is also largely due to your origins. the fact that you were born and raised in the states alone gives you a great advantage (i.e. your passport. technological, economical and symbolic resources and privileges that again, are out of your control, but you do have them automatically, with no particular merit from your part). as a person born and raised in the 3rd world, there is no way imaginable for me that I could make those numbers, even if I worked that hard. and I don't mean your actual income, just the minimum wage you mentioned you had at age 13. I would make 3000 usd if i worked 9 hours everyday for 15 months. So anyways, I just thought it was a good disclaimer because these videos tend to feed on a fantasy that the audience has. I include myself in this. It is a dream of mine to buy a house of my own, also somewhere in mediterranean europe, and to live off my passion. I envy you and I'm inspired by you both.
I hope you don't take this the wrong way, because I love your videos and find them very inspiring. I only shared to share, not with the intent of placing guilt or anything like that.
I'm also curious as to why you don't speak to your parents in spanish, since that's their native tongue and you can speak it I think? anyways
thank you for the video and cheers from Argentina :)
I’m literally never going to complain again about my job, my house, or any trivial nonsense. At least I hope not. Thank you so much for this much needed perspective. 👊🏻❤️
I hear you. Sometimes place in the world has an impact but also having a health, family/support network. It is a privilege to have a family/support network.
My experience of cPTSD has meant I have no family or support network, need to rent & pay my way since 19. The independence I enjoy but I’ve learnt it’s restricted by cPTSD. As a result of cPTSD I’m unable to hold down a job or career that’s bigger than minimum wage, I have tried multiple times to get treatment &support but cannot afford it because of the job situation & so it goes. It’s not for want of trying to help myself, I believe in personal responsibility but the crippling effects of domestic/child abuse (flash backs, triggers) cannot be underestimated. Despite living in a relatively wealthy country& having a good education (albeit not university or college) much of this is completely undermined by abuse. I don’t mean this as a pity party, I think of the many others I’ve encountered from similar backgrounds & overall I’ve been very fortunate not to have ended up in drugs or other form of addiction to cope or dead.
People say you make your own luck, although luck is by nature something out of our control.
I think it’s about being thankful for the small things like breathing, nature, stars in the sky, watching clouds, my feet on the Earth, sunrise & sunsets, summer rain, spring flowers, autumn leaves, connecting with interesting & likeminded people etc…& in some way creating space for the things you love no matter how small. The American dream & concept of meritocracy, ‘anyone can make it’ doesn’t acknowledge that sometimes there are good reasons why people are in the situations they’re in & it’s not from want of trying or motivation, no deserves to be poor just as no one can truly say they deserve to be rich.. Success & suffering are relative terms, as Nathanial says he recognises his privilege & I have found the concept of Amor Fati (loving one’s fate) that he talks about in another video very encouraging. This might be what success looks like for Nathaniel but this is his life & perhaps not as straightforward as it might seem, equally it’s not so much about what he has materially as it is about happiness. All the things he does are underlined by the fact he seeks happiness just like anyone else . He talks about happiness in another of his videos. Happiness is also relative, different people will be happy from different things because they have different life experiences. I find seeing things this way much more empowering because the material comparison doesn’t matter neither does it matter what your experience or world location because anybody has the capacity to be happy, they might not have the capacity to be a millionaire or buy a fancy apartment or travel the world, BUT they can still find happiness & be happy. It’s unconditional. Despite your struggles, you have value & although the nature of the struggle is different I hope you know that in you’re struggling you’re not alone. Happiness/contentment isn’t so much in the goals or the material or big things as it is the process & seeking simple joys… I hope you find them & the extraordinary wealth that’s beyond any price tag 💖 🙏✨
Nathaniel - I've never seen any TH-camr / online creator / influencer be this transparent about how they make money and their income! Thanks for sharing this information so that others may learn from you and for those of us who just find that type of non-traditional career to be fascinating.
Holy shit this apartment building in Paris costs about as much as a nice single-family home in Ontario, Canada (or the smallest, most rundown single-family home you'd ever find in Toronto). Really puts things in perspective.
When you said you love to spend on loved ones (@14:47) and then showed vid of pick up limes, I cried. Such a sweet gesture
I made this same mistake moving to my first own appartment in the big city. Currently living through that struggle period
Criticism? I think you're fucking BRILLIANT. And anyone who says otherwise, is talking through their youknowwhat. And the 'mistakes' you made....? YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO MAKE MISTAKES!!!! It's called "Life!!!" That's what it's for. You are the loveliest individual and I wish you the very BEST of the best. And I KNOW what I'm talking about because I moved to Paris in March of 1982, at the age of 24 and was dirt poor and it was the very best time of my life (incredibly difficult, as YOU will know/understand) ... and only left, to come back to the States in the very last days of 1996, to look after my Mum ... who had Alzheimer's. (Then got stuck here). Bravo to you!! You are going to have the best life BECAUSE YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IS IMPORTANT!!! And you are the most financially wise person, despite whatever you think. I am in awe. Well done! And, as others have mentioned, and it is TRUE; it is admirable that you have shared all the details of HOW YOU DID THIS with us. That takes courage ... and a LOT of organization and time. Wow!!
Blessings!
Buying a place, always takes you to the edge, financially. It makes you feel exposed, but a few years down the line, it feels normal, and then later more comfortable. And then you realise, you would never be able to afford what you’ve already afforded!
Thank you for opening up about this in a way that no one ever does. It’s so interesting and helpful.
I just love your mom! I am just amazed with you evey time I watch one of your videos! You are an amazing person and I’m excited to watch your journey. Congratulations on owning your own home!
You opening up in such a way and talking money talk is deserving a praise. Thank you for lifting the taboo as well as for the work you are putting out!
Thank you for so frankly sharing this hard financial lesson. Many people, much older than you, realize they’ve over-extended themselves too late to make much of the money back to replenish their nest eggs. Never regret investing in yourself and the dreams that keep you happy and creating! I’m wishing you the best of every good thing!
Really appreciate your transparency and humility about all this. It's nice to get a peek behind the curtain to see all that's involved not only in the apartment purchase, but also in the business that you've built on TH-cam. Congratulations, and best wishes to you!
Thanks I loved hearing all the hidden costs about purchasing a home. Everyone over sells it without mentioning the pitfalls of buying a home
Nathaniel, I've been here since 2016, I'm 23 and an endlessly curious individual in pursuit of meaning, whatever that means lol! You inspire me and make me feel less alone in such a (what seems to be) superficial world! It's been a privilege to be a part of your journey ❤️
First, love your mom! what's a sweet momma; loved the ending. Second..boy this hit home. I also bought my first place place on my own a week before the pandemic. I fell in love with the view (it was a waterfront bungalow). I saw potential in it and how it could be with the renovations. I wanted to host art collaborative workshops, events (it was a 2 acre property as well). I saw so much potential of collective living. As a self employed person I had to do 20% downpayment which was 140k plus closing cost and land transfer was another $80k. It was a lot! I had saved all the money for 3 years from my business while I worked full-time (I quit in 2019) so that's where my money came from. I lost my parents long time ago so I was on my own so i didn't have any support financially to do this. Statistically where I am from, someone like me shouldn't be able to buy a place on their own. Then I started the reno. DURING covid...i got scammed twice by contractors and finally found my 3rd..I cost me another $250k to do the renovations....I was all of a sudden over leveraged....I was scared, stressed, depressed..no one to talk to. I kept wondering what would happen if my clients stopped hiring me. Luckily the market went insane with the housing prices and I just sold my dream home in May. Yes it was difficult but i can sleep again. I missed my simple life. I made back my money plus some profit..I am lucky. I did buy another one but in another city where cost of living is much lower and one that doesn't require any renovations. Thank you for being so honest, transparent and vulnerable. We don't talk about finances and especially when we make financial mistakes. For me, it was out of shame and the persona or perception of who I felt I was being viewed as. I felt I couldn't be weak or vulnerable anymore. All of sudden having a house meant I am "rich" and money is not a problem. Anyway I am rambling. Thanks for sharing :-) i truly felt seen.
Video about investing?
You always make things so easy to understand and also touch on the personal/psychological/emotional side of these decisions which is super helpful and engaging.
My money is losing value but I’m scared to not have access to it or worse to lose it.
Im so glad that We All helped Nathaniel to get his Dream apartment, at least for just *tiiiiiiiiny* bit, by watching his videos!
Great video, love the honesty, this IS great for everyone wanting to buy something for themselves.
Thank you for sharing and being transparent. That was my exact thought when I saw you bought an apartment in Paris. Like “how did you afford it?” I don’t look at this video as a flex but as an inspiration to save and eventually build wealth.
I love how transparent you've been in describing every aspect of why and how you did this. Really inspiring, thank you so much for sharing the good and the bad. Wish you the best & I hope this apartment will provide you with the comfort you needed to take more risks and live the life you wanna live !
Agreed, you should be transparent.
The problem I have with him is that Nathaniel Drew, or should I say Nathaniel Barintein, isn't really truthful about his background. He said that he got interested in filming when he came back from France, yet his family owns a filming company (Zenergy Films LLC), and was even involved with filming when they lived in California. He says that his family didn't really have money, but they bought their house in 2008 for $635,000, which was three times the national average at the time. They also just sold their house for $1.8 million, in the same month that Nathan bought his apartment. He also created his own LLC in 2018 when his channel was barely off the ground and over 2 years old. A few months later, he got over 1 million views on the channel. And, as far as editing, I do wonder if he does his editing or if it is his dad.
everytime they say "I did this amazing thing at 20 something with only hard work" i roll my eyes. It is always the parents, the silver spoon in reality that did it.
Honestly almost sickening when I see mediocre rich people with no shame shoving their faces in our faces... why cant they just live quietly in their wealth
You never stop inspiring, really! First it was your videos about mental health, clarity, learning languages and just having better habits in life. Now you are also showing another side of life and it's so useful and interesting. Thank you so much Nathaniel!
Time stamp? Fuck that. Your content in its entirety is masterclass. Had to watch a few of your videos in my philosophy class in uni. My professor loves you dude!
Just found you watching apartments in Paris. Thank you for sharing the finances of youtube and your apt purchase so candidly. Every time I read financial news about the job statistics I shake my head because they aren’t counting the significance of TH-camrs like you and your alternative income streams.
Amazing video. Being able to buy a property is so so complex - far beyond affordability. That's why we should never compare ourselves to other people and the superficial assumptions we make about them. Setting our own goals, and pursuing those at our own pace is what we'll get us there.
Thank you for your honesty and opening up like you do. Greatly appreciate all that you do and keep being true and authentic!
It's not about how much we earn ,it's about how we use what we earn, and that's what you did .
Congratulations ❤
I have been a viewer for a few years now and one of the main reasons I watch your videos is because I always come away feeling like I’ve learnt something! Thank you for your transparency and congratulations on your new home 💕✨
Love love love seeing snippets of your friendship with Sadia! You two seem to share such a beautiful bond :)
Other than that, what a fantastic video. It was so interesting to learn about "Lifestyle Creep" - such a fascinating concept. Kudos to you for being brave enough to admit your mistakes so that the rest of us can learn from them. Thank you so much ❤️
It takes courage to be this transparent, impressive! and also for teaching financial lessons to your listeners is so valuable! Thanks Nathaniel
Your honesty is incredible. Well done on some incredible achievements and thanks for sharing everything. Enjoy my favourite city.
Appreciate your transparency bro, you're one of the very few TH-camrs I follow. Thanks for sharing and making the rest of us feel normal when we've done the same things lol, literally. I'm Uruguayan so always love to hear you and your parents hablando con acento Rioplatense! You deserve the success, you've put in the work and started from the bottom, no cutting corners so its not a surprise starting to see the fruit of your labor. You being this transparent is what makes you authentic, because you really dont have to do this so whoever spends their time in criticizing you in a way that's not constructive, just means they feel threatened by your vulnerability. Jesus loves you bro!
I loved this video! I’d fantasized about retiring in Europe, leaving the US behind. This helped me to understand some things I hadn’t considered. You’re an inspiration.
Paris is an expensive place to retire.
All you said is true. Yet, it’s consistent with your bent for taking risks. You, perhaps, weren’t economically sensible, but given your life vision and dream, your gut told you to leap. That’s life, a series of leaps. Thanks for opening up. 💕💕💕
Drew crew. Absolute fire name. Thanks for all this detailed info. Very informative and entertaining at the same time:)
This is quite a transparent, honest, and amazing story. Thank you for your honesty, especially about really wanting the property so bad that it blinds you to some financial realities. Like your mother says, multiply your renovation budget by four. And those hidden fees and expenses---god! But I hope your're able to make it and call Paris home. It's a great place to live once you own property.
Well done you! Hearing you say you saved back in your early teens is so impressive. Very happy for you to own a beautiful apartment in PARIS! Oh how many of us dream of doing that?! So happy for you. Well deserved. Enjoy your home. 😀🤗🌱🌱💚
You have one of my favorite channels. Your transparency is so refreshing! Thank you so much for sharing this information and breaking things down in a way that’s easy to digest. 🙌🏽
You've been such an inspiration to me these past few years!
At the moment I'm still in college studying digital design and development, but I'm hoping I can become location independent and travel to lots of places like you do! I hope I can have just as much of a full life as you do and have my own house or apartment one day.
You're an inspiration to many and I can't wait to see how your life will further unfold!
Takes a lot of guts to openly talk about your income and financial progress, even if it’s going very well!
Thank you so much!
This was one of my favourites! A realistic look at the journey of the artistic pursuit and being true to you. Bravo! Looking forward to the next one:)👍👍👍👍
Thank you for sharing! I didn't realize who your parents were until I saw this video. I subscribe to their journey too.
Thank you so much for your transparency! I'm 25 and still living at home so I can keep growing my savings and pay off some of my student loans before I move out. Having to start again from $0 is such a huge fear of mine, but it's great to see that you're managing to take it in stride and enjoy your investment and what you can do with it. I'd love a breakdown of how much it cost to rent and stay in AirBnBs up until you found a place.
I really appreciate your transparency on this, it’s so helpful!
Hey Nathanael, thanks a lot for this. I actually made the same mistake as you did. I'm an owner of a house, and I could not be happier, but I had to really tighten my belt and now I'm tied to a place in a way that non-home owner won't ever experience. Actually, there was a study done that showed that if you buy a house/appartement too soon, you could end up poorer because of lack of enough financial cushion as well as not being able to move as freely as before meaning you could miss a lot of business opportunities. But to me, in a way, this house is my way of telling "my life first, business second" and fuck it if I'm not gonna be rich in the future, at least I'm going to be where I want to be, with who I want to be with.
I loved how transparent you are and spoke about finances and difficulty that comes along while buying a property, it surely is going to help a lot of people!
Good for you! I love to see people doing well. I wish I had been that motivated in my twenties. Your content is lovely. I ran into similar problems when trying to sell my house and move into another. Everything cost much, much more. It's crazy, the bank and the real estate agents don't tell you how much it all adds up. It got to the point when trying to sell that the house I had inherited, built by my great, great, grandfather, was basically worthless because it wasn't up to code. So I decided to keep it and rent it out. When I move to Seattle I will be renting.
Thank you Nathaniel for sharing your experience regarding the purchase of your apartment in Paris. I love that you impart the knowledge that you have personally gained and share it with us, your viewers. That in itself can be so valuable. I appreciate your honesty, your transparency and vulnerability which makes your videos a delight to watch. You radiate your authenticity. Thank you for being true and real!!!
Congrats on the appartment Nathaniel! It is a great accomplishment..although stressful! I love watching your videos. Thank you for being so transparent about your financial situation. Very valuable information!!
BTW love the socks of different colors at 18:04!! I do that too!
You and Damon dropping finance videos at the same time… I needed this thank you so much! Money is such a hard topic to just understand and get around let alone figure out and work in the system of! I thank you guys so much for this!
I’M COMING
Did not skip a single second. Thank you for being so transparent, Nate. This video has really been a great help. Keep shining, you ⭐. Love from India! 🇮🇳
Congrats on the apartment! Very interesting that you can't offer more than the listing price.
That’s probably a good thing for the housing market. Here in the Netherlands we have a big problem with more wealthy people buying a lot of houses because they can easily overbid low income people.
That's been a huge problem in New Zealand, now least affordable in entire OECD. Over a million for a cold, mouldy shit box.
so cute to see sadia as soon as you said "loved ones" :') my heart is full