Thank you! Canadian (expat Brit) here watching in Western Canada. Retiring at age 57 later next year, already did the drastic downsizing thing, and plan to long term slow travel the world. Regarding losing weight/getting in shape, I did this too last year. My advice is diet rather than exercise will have a way bigger effect on weight loss. I run lots and burn around 80 calories per km run, but can very quickly eat (or drink those lost calories) after a run! I did a keto diet, joined with a 16/8 fast and zero alcohol last January and I lost 16lbs, which I’ve kept off all year. Currently run marathons and ultra races and come in the top 5 places for my age. Loving life, can’t wait to start really living next year when I retire. Good luck with the weight loss goal… you’ll feel 100% better after you meet your goal!
FANTASTIC NEWS Sue! I remember that so well, let me give you some good news... I found that time didn't drag, actually before I knew it, my retirement date was there! Happy new year!
I think this might finally be the year I ‘retire’ from my career. Some good points there, especially about having a “go to”, I have wanted to “get out from” my job for many years but had to stick it out as I just couldn’t find a satisfactory “go to”. I don’t have any concrete retirement goals (outside paying my bills and having a modest ‘fun’ budget’ saved) but now feel comfortable enough to take the plunge financially, and just see what happens 😊.
Nice on Simon! What an amazing feeling to realise that you might at last put your working years behind you. Having retirement goals will come with time, certainly if you are watching channels like 2GoRoam, you are thinking about this stuff, so that will come. Happy New Year
I will be retiring in June 2025 - for the second time! The first time I retired was in 2022. The first few months were great, but then injuries scuppered my fitness goals, I didn't enjoy the volunteering I did and I felt adrift. I went back to work part time, but now I feel ready to give retirement another go. I like your approach of 3 goals just for the next year! Mine are fitness and improving in tennis, completing the Thames path (we've got about 1/3 left) and - most exciting - going on trips in our ID Buzz van. Currently it's still just a cargo van, but the conversion will be completed in March.
Hi Karen, oh I love the idea of the ID Buzz conversion, that will be a lot of fun I'm sure. Really interesting that you retired and then decided to take a step back and re-assess. I like that. Good luck with the 2nd retirement :-)
Great info Neil. Think this is your best video yet. Very sad to hear about your Dad in retirement. Most Engineering Senior management I know seem to end up on the Golf course in sunny climates in retirement. As a recently retired Engineer myself there is always something to build, fix, improve, maintain if you have a house, garden or hobby such as a boat. Keep the videos coming and good luck with your goals. With regard to Diet, the late Dr Mosley's 5:2 seems to have a lot of proven health benefits.
Thank you Ian! Appreciate it, I really hope you like where I am taking the channel, going to be very different in 2025 but I think hopefully even more useful! Happy New Year!
Thank you so much Neil. Love all your videos, thank you for making them all. I’ve loved listening to so many of them this past year while I’ve been splitting logs outside, you are inspirational and they have really whetted my appetite to retire! I have now decided that this new year 2025 will be my retirement year when aged 60, can’t wait! I have so much planned, including travel and getting fitter. Now I have a request and suggestion for you please: I know (from one of your previous vids) that you said that you and Sarah don’t have kids, but I do have a few and I’d love it if you could consider doing a retirement video aimed at teenagers and those who’ve just started their working lives… what would you tell them as a father to guide them and help them NOW, what plan and what strategy from the very start of their careers, with decades of working ahead… what advice now to help them maximise their chances of being able to do what you did and retire at age 50? Keep up the great work!
Hi Paul, thank you so much for the kind words, I really appreciate it. I did actually make a video a couple of years ago where I was talking to my niece Georgia, here is the link to it 👉 ruclips.net/video/6W-neIL6eVU/видео.html. I hope that helps. I do like the idea of this though, maybe making a video where I am talking to the 16 year old me.... Happy New Year Paul
I am 66 and was in debt for many years. Last year I started collecting Social Security a year early and applied every dollar, along with much of my income to pay off my debt. I just finished paying off my debt. For those in the US, the penalty free amount is higher than other earlier years of collecting, it's a fantastic feeling to be out of debt. I have a public pension coming when I retire, which with SSA, it will be more than my work income. Looking forward to a year of savings before I leave my job and collect the pension. As for the future, I do have a plan. I took the first step last month and got my license to do business, for something I've wanted to do for years! Thanks for the great list!
This is a really positive story. I remember when we finally climbed out of debt, the feeling of that weight lifting from our shoulders was palpable. Love that you have aa business plan for the future! All the very best with that and Happy New Year!
Firstly - thank you Neil for your excellent videos. Great advice founded in first hand experience and sound logic all around “your goals are not my goals”. Please keep it going whilst you are enjoying “retirement” 😉 my 3 goals for 2025 are 1) Reduce from working full-time to part-time (3 days a week), 2) Move house (down-size to something more practical as now just the two of us, and 3) Spend more time with family and on holidays rather than being consumed by work. Roll on 2025 💥 and best wishes to you and all your viewers / subscribers ❤
Those goals are great Riverman, there is a good balance there eh, firstly stepping down the work you are doing to 3 days a week, I like that and then moving and downsizing the house. I think so many people fear doing that for reasons that I cannot comprehend. So good on you. Roll on 2025 indeed! Happy New Year!
Thank you for your helpful and enjoyable videos! I’m 49, would love to be financially free but need pension to double in size and pay 100K mortgage off first. My goals for 2025 are; complete successfully my trial period in new job, put my type2 into remission with strict diet, up my activity levels and spend more of my free time being creative. All the best for the New Year! 🎉
Lovely message. Before anything else, I just want to wish you every success in getting type2 into remission, that will be huge for you and all the years ahead of you. Good on you. With your pension pot doubling, have you heard of the rule of 72? I shared it in a recent video. It may happen sooner than you imagine. Happy New Year!
I do think you've done exactly the right thing for you. No kids, i think, gives another perspective to selling everything and travelling the world for 10 years. Not necessarily about spending every last penny you have as no heirs, but the longer term separation from children/grandchildren that is, imo, extremely difficult and gives you a freedom you wouldn't otherwise have.
Go for it! 40 pounds is no mean feat I think so I wish you every success. Check in on the comments of videos going forward and let me know how you are getting on. I'll be sharing my progress over on @2goroamtravels channel. Happy New Year!
Thank you, Neil! (Yes, we use “skimpy” in the US.) After 20 solid years of diligent saving and staying out of debt, I’m retiring from Corporate America in March or April 2025. I’m delighted and excited :)
And so to my favourite comment! Denise is retiring!!!! March/April will come around in no time at all! We are both delighted for you too! This is a major step! We're really proud of you! Here's to a wonderful 2025! x
Love, love your goals! I’m with you on losing 40 pounds-that’s my first goal too. My second goal is to commit to daily exercise-five days into the year, and the motivation is still going strong! My third goal is to learn Spanish. At 52, I still have two boys in school, so retirement is at least five years away for me and my husband. In the meantime, I’m focusing on retirement planning (aka saving/investing) while making the most of life along the way. Balancing all this with a full-time job is definitely a challenge, but will be worth it. 🤞Hopefully, it keeps me sane and shifts my focus from work to what really matters-life!
Your goals are similar to mine. Sarah and I are also (slowly) learning Spanish but we plan to ramp up our efforts this year. Good luck for the year ahead, Happy New Year!
Thank you guys! Appreciate it. And thank you for the amazing incentive that you have given to us! For anyone else reading this, we met Michael and Natalie for lunch in Spain late last year and they have a great set of goals for 2025! Good luck with it you two! Happy New Year!
I stopped traditional work earlier this year at 55. Really enjoying doing other things, spending time with my family, nore travelling, rampted up exercise, learning, coaching... actually being present for my daughter.... Knowing your numbers before retiring does give a lot of comfort. However, similar to what you said, I have found that having an investment strategy, underetanding your spend expectations (still update this every couple of months), and being flexible have been key. Also, making sure that I have a healthy cash buffer (in Money Market Funds, Premium Bonds etc) to give peace of mind and being able to leave the longer term investments enough time to do their thing.
Yes that is cool, you clearly had more of a life plan and wanting to do the things that you know you could only do there and then, like being present with your daughter. Like the way you look at life. Happy New Year!
I’m glad you mentioned funerals. But it should be everyone talking about their own, regardless of age. Open the subject up and make it less daunting at the time of need
I'm retiring in June with a DB pension at 63 and 1 month. I worked out my outgoings but didn't fully work out my incomings. Things like interest on savings and utilising some of my wife's tax allowance that she doesn't use. Plus obviously I could spend some savings until my OAP kicks in at 67 not that I think I will need to but nice to have the safety net. My hobbies and interests are relatively cheap as the equipment should last the rest of my life or at least until I can no longer physically do them. Good tips on the traveling but I do that now. I have always said doing things and being with the important people in your life is better than owning stuff. I hope this doesn't sound like a brag because it's certainly not meant to be. Worked a working class job all my life and struggled and gone without at times but appreciate the good fortune of property being a lot cheaper relatively when I bought my house.
Nothing in your comment here Mark is remotely bragging. You seem to have a really good handle on what is important in life. Like you, I think that there is so much more important than owning stuff. Wish you all the best for the new year!
My 77 year old father has been retired since he was 63. He hasn’t left the town he’s in and he spends his day watching tv. He won’t go anywhere and he has the money to do so. He dosent think he’s missing anything and he’s happy to do what he’s doing. I don’t want that for myself but I’m not going to tell him how he should do it.
Sure, everyone is different and has different wants from life. Cool that you have ideas for what you want to do. I think the difference is likely that your father is comfortable with the retirement he chose, I think my father was always frustrated and paralysed by fear to really search out what he wanted to do. We are all indeed different and I wish you and your father all the best for 2025.
Hi, over 3 months into retirement and I have many aims for 2025 : travel abroad 12-14 weeks, travel uk 3 weeks, continue studying arabic, try to improve my archery ranking, theatre 8-10 times and read 24 books. I have spent the last 5 years studying Egyptology and while I have no inclination to carry on studying within formal university education, I have a urge to fill the gap left with further study of some description. I joined the U3A to gain cheap access to groups, playing backgammon, mah jong, canastra etc . Gary
Hello Neil. Great points. I’ve been out of the workforce for over 20 years and your advice is still valuable. I interact with people that think they need to leave their current situation, especially political here in the US. But, I tell them and even my 24 year old son, you can’t run away, you have to go toward something. I think it’s a good idea to reevaluate, perhaps at the start of the year, but WHEN the balancing takes place needs to be carefully considered. There are yearly overall patterns and January may not be the best time to balance everything. I think you’ve said this before but, people need to look at their consumption of goods and services, how much on tv, how much on phones, how much on subscriptions, how much for cars, especially cars, how much for monthly entertainment including meals out.
Yes Charles... Running away might be the catalyst but then as you are advising them, what are you running to? Totally right on the consumption. The scary thing is when you look at them in isolation, such as "Well Netflix is only $10 a month" it can seem small fry. Add those together and then multiply for the year and it can be mind boggling. Thank you for getting involved, really interesting post. Happy New Year
Of all the things I believe that I wish I could convince other people to believe, yoga is the most important to me. Yoga is a science, different from western deductive science. It is the science of accumulated and practically proven knowledge. Yoga as an accumulation of knowledge was formed in a pre-written history society in India dating to 3000 BC That society, as were all early civillizations, was matriarchal. The accumulated knowledge of all the forms of yoga was written in the Sutras in 400 CE -- well after men had asserted their control of society. I think of yoga as self-observation. It is intensive and honest, and it is most beneficial if done routinely. Many of us do not look at ourselves in such a way very often. There a number of obstacles to beginning a yoga routine, but something that has worked for me is Yoga With Adriene. Beginning January 1, she is posting seven daily yoga practices. Seven days is enough to begin a habit. Adriene Mischler is also an inspiring person. She has touched millions of lives, but is still a fragile, searching human.
The back is so much better. I had a series of appointments with a physio in Spain and any time I am back, I will be continuing to see him. So fingers crossed, all looking good.
For fitness I like Walk At Home and other half likes Donovan Green (it's chair based, don't laugh though it's harder than you'd think) both on RUclips.
That is BRILLIANT! We'd love to travel the US in an RV and will do that one day. 3 months in Europe will be incredible also. I know you'll love it. All the very best and Happy New Year!
Nice one Mark. As you clearly know, there is no such thing as get rich quick, it takes time and diligence and given you have used the word decade, I would say you have the right attitude. You'll get there my friend. Happy New Year!
You work for 50 years for money nothing else to pay the bills and live . When you retire you need enough money for 35 years. So if you need 20,000 ayear it's 700000 pounds for 35 years plus inflation.
Well it depends on a lot. There are a multitude of drawdown strategies and it is worth spending some time investigating all of those. Thanks for the comment and Happy New Year!
People are facing a tough retirement. and it's even harder for workers to save due to low-paying jobs, inflation, and high rents. Now, middle-class Americans find it tough to own a home too, leaving them without a place to retire in.
Exactly. My uncle retired at 52 without factoring in inflation, and now he’s back working part-time. If you can’t confidently say "yes" to questions like whether your income will keep up with expenses and whether you’re debt-free, early retirement might not be for you.
Yes, agreed. There are no easy answers. The one thing I would say is questioning your own decisions in the moment. That is to say, people can often be constrained by their thinking. For example, not considering moving to lower cost of living locations out of hand without first doing some significant research. There are no easy answers and I think we're all in the same boat finding like more and more difficult to navigate. Wish you all the best for 2025.
People are facing a tough retirement. and it's even harder for workers to save due to low-paying jobs, inflation, and high rents. Now, middle-class Americans find it tough to own a home too, leaving them without a place to retire in.
Yes, things seem to only be getting more tough. I think it is important to stay nimble and keep options as wide as possible. Wish you all the best for 2025!
Thank you! Canadian (expat Brit) here watching in Western Canada. Retiring at age 57 later next year, already did the drastic downsizing thing, and plan to long term slow travel the world. Regarding losing weight/getting in shape, I did this too last year. My advice is diet rather than exercise will have a way bigger effect on weight loss. I run lots and burn around 80 calories per km run, but can very quickly eat (or drink those lost calories) after a run! I did a keto diet, joined with a 16/8 fast and zero alcohol last January and I lost 16lbs, which I’ve kept off all year. Currently run marathons and ultra races and come in the top 5 places for my age. Loving life, can’t wait to start really living next year when I retire. Good luck with the weight loss goal… you’ll feel 100% better after you meet your goal!
That's really useful and inspirational advice, thank you! Happy new year!
2025 is the year I’m going to retire (61)….its exciting starting this year knowing I’ll only be working 6-9 months of it
FANTASTIC NEWS Sue! I remember that so well, let me give you some good news... I found that time didn't drag, actually before I knew it, my retirement date was there!
Happy new year!
Me too 😊
I think this might finally be the year I ‘retire’ from my career. Some good points there, especially about having a “go to”, I have wanted to “get out from” my job for many years but had to stick it out as I just couldn’t find a satisfactory “go to”. I don’t have any concrete retirement goals (outside paying my bills and having a modest ‘fun’ budget’ saved) but now feel comfortable enough to take the plunge financially, and just see what happens 😊.
Nice on Simon! What an amazing feeling to realise that you might at last put your working years behind you. Having retirement goals will come with time, certainly if you are watching channels like 2GoRoam, you are thinking about this stuff, so that will come.
Happy New Year
I will be retiring in June 2025 - for the second time! The first time I retired was in 2022. The first few months were great, but then injuries scuppered my fitness goals, I didn't enjoy the volunteering I did and I felt adrift. I went back to work part time, but now I feel ready to give retirement another go. I like your approach of 3 goals just for the next year! Mine are fitness and improving in tennis, completing the Thames path (we've got about 1/3 left) and - most exciting - going on trips in our ID Buzz van. Currently it's still just a cargo van, but the conversion will be completed in March.
Hi Karen, oh I love the idea of the ID Buzz conversion, that will be a lot of fun I'm sure. Really interesting that you retired and then decided to take a step back and re-assess. I like that. Good luck with the 2nd retirement :-)
Great info Neil. Think this is your best video yet. Very sad to hear about your Dad in retirement. Most Engineering Senior management I know seem to end up on the Golf course in sunny climates in retirement. As a recently retired Engineer myself there is always something to build, fix, improve, maintain if you have a house, garden or hobby such as a boat. Keep the videos coming and good luck with your goals. With regard to Diet, the late Dr Mosley's 5:2 seems to have a lot of proven health benefits.
Neil, this is bloody fantastic stuff. Happy New Year sir. Please keep this kind of video going. All the very best in 2025. Cheers.
Thank you Ian! Appreciate it, I really hope you like where I am taking the channel, going to be very different in 2025 but I think hopefully even more useful! Happy New Year!
Thank you so much Neil. Love all your videos, thank you for making them all. I’ve loved listening to so many of them this past year while I’ve been splitting logs outside, you are inspirational and they have really whetted my appetite to retire! I have now decided that this new year 2025 will be my retirement year when aged 60, can’t wait! I have so much planned, including travel and getting fitter.
Now I have a request and suggestion for you please: I know (from one of your previous vids) that you said that you and Sarah don’t have kids, but I do have a few and I’d love it if you could consider doing a retirement video aimed at teenagers and those who’ve just started their working lives… what would you tell them as a father to guide them and help them NOW, what plan and what strategy from the very start of their careers, with decades of working ahead… what advice now to help them maximise their chances of being able to do what you did and retire at age 50?
Keep up the great work!
Hi Paul, thank you so much for the kind words, I really appreciate it. I did actually make a video a couple of years ago where I was talking to my niece Georgia, here is the link to it 👉 ruclips.net/video/6W-neIL6eVU/видео.html. I hope that helps.
I do like the idea of this though, maybe making a video where I am talking to the 16 year old me.... Happy New Year Paul
Excellent episode Neil.
Thank you so much, really appreciate it! Happy New Year!
I am 66 and was in debt for many years. Last year I started collecting Social Security a year early and applied every dollar, along with much of my income to pay off my debt. I just finished paying off my debt. For those in the US, the penalty free amount is higher than other earlier years of collecting, it's a fantastic feeling to be out of debt. I have a public pension coming when I retire, which with SSA, it will be more than my work income. Looking forward to a year of savings before I leave my job and collect the pension.
As for the future, I do have a plan. I took the first step last month and got my license to do business, for something I've wanted to do for years!
Thanks for the great list!
This is a really positive story. I remember when we finally climbed out of debt, the feeling of that weight lifting from our shoulders was palpable.
Love that you have aa business plan for the future! All the very best with that and Happy New Year!
Firstly - thank you Neil for your excellent videos. Great advice founded in first hand experience and sound logic all around “your goals are not my goals”. Please keep it going whilst you are enjoying “retirement” 😉 my 3 goals for 2025 are 1) Reduce from working full-time to part-time (3 days a week), 2) Move house (down-size to something more practical as now just the two of us, and 3) Spend more time with family and on holidays rather than being consumed by work. Roll on 2025 💥 and best wishes to you and all your viewers / subscribers ❤
Those goals are great Riverman, there is a good balance there eh, firstly stepping down the work you are doing to 3 days a week, I like that and then moving and downsizing the house. I think so many people fear doing that for reasons that I cannot comprehend. So good on you.
Roll on 2025 indeed! Happy New Year!
Thank you for your helpful and enjoyable videos! I’m 49, would love to be financially free but need pension to double in size and pay 100K mortgage off first. My goals for 2025 are; complete successfully my trial period in new job, put my type2 into remission with strict diet, up my activity levels and spend more of my free time being creative. All the best for the New Year! 🎉
Lovely message. Before anything else, I just want to wish you every success in getting type2 into remission, that will be huge for you and all the years ahead of you. Good on you.
With your pension pot doubling, have you heard of the rule of 72? I shared it in a recent video. It may happen sooner than you imagine.
Happy New Year!
Thanks, but we don’t need to know your life history. Please make a relevant point.
Sad man
@@andrewmitchell5485 well we don’t
@@aussiestallion69 well, it was mentioned to list our goals for the year ahead. Did you not watch the video? :-/
I do think you've done exactly the right thing for you. No kids, i think, gives another perspective to selling everything and travelling the world for 10 years. Not necessarily about spending every last penny you have as no heirs, but the longer term separation from children/grandchildren that is, imo, extremely difficult and gives you a freedom you wouldn't otherwise have.
Thank you, that's thought provoking.
Great advice Neil I’ve been retired for six years still can’t believe I can do what I want when I want all the best from Wiltshire 👍
It's amazing eh. Ahhh lovely Wilts!
Great insights, thank you.
Ahhh Cheers Travellinman! Happy New Year!
Good stuff as usual. You stole my 2025 goal. I'm doing 40 in 40 (pounds in weeks). Wish me luck. Retired at 53 2 weeks ago. Cheers!
Go for it! 40 pounds is no mean feat I think so I wish you every success. Check in on the comments of videos going forward and let me know how you are getting on. I'll be sharing my progress over on @2goroamtravels channel. Happy New Year!
Retired at 53? Are you an ex-copper? Not sure how else you could have retired at 53 unless you've been doing illegal stuff.
Thank you, Neil! (Yes, we use “skimpy” in the US.) After 20 solid years of diligent saving and staying out of debt, I’m retiring from Corporate America in March or April 2025. I’m delighted and excited :)
And so to my favourite comment! Denise is retiring!!!! March/April will come around in no time at all!
We are both delighted for you too! This is a major step! We're really proud of you!
Here's to a wonderful 2025! x
Love, love your goals! I’m with you on losing 40 pounds-that’s my first goal too. My second goal is to commit to daily exercise-five days into the year, and the motivation is still going strong! My third goal is to learn Spanish. At 52, I still have two boys in school, so retirement is at least five years away for me and my husband. In the meantime, I’m focusing on retirement planning (aka saving/investing) while making the most of life along the way. Balancing all this with a full-time job is definitely a challenge, but will be worth it. 🤞Hopefully, it keeps me sane and shifts my focus from work to what really matters-life!
Your goals are similar to mine. Sarah and I are also (slowly) learning Spanish but we plan to ramp up our efforts this year.
Good luck for the year ahead, Happy New Year!
Hi Neil, another great informative video. We appreciate all the effort and great advice. All the best for the New Year 🎉
Thank you guys! Appreciate it. And thank you for the amazing incentive that you have given to us! For anyone else reading this, we met Michael and Natalie for lunch in Spain late last year and they have a great set of goals for 2025! Good luck with it you two! Happy New Year!
I stopped traditional work earlier this year at 55. Really enjoying doing other things, spending time with my family, nore travelling, rampted up exercise, learning, coaching... actually being present for my daughter.... Knowing your numbers before retiring does give a lot of comfort. However, similar to what you said, I have found that having an investment strategy, underetanding your spend expectations (still update this every couple of months), and being flexible have been key. Also, making sure that I have a healthy cash buffer (in Money Market Funds, Premium Bonds etc) to give peace of mind and being able to leave the longer term investments enough time to do their thing.
Yes that is cool, you clearly had more of a life plan and wanting to do the things that you know you could only do there and then, like being present with your daughter. Like the way you look at life. Happy New Year!
I’m glad you mentioned funerals. But it should be everyone talking about their own, regardless of age. Open the subject up and make it less daunting at the time of need
I'm retiring in June with a DB pension at 63 and 1 month. I worked out my outgoings but didn't fully work out my incomings. Things like interest on savings and utilising some of my wife's tax allowance that she doesn't use. Plus obviously I could spend some savings until my OAP kicks in at 67 not that I think I will need to but nice to have the safety net. My hobbies and interests are relatively cheap as the equipment should last the rest of my life or at least until I can no longer physically do them. Good tips on the traveling but I do that now. I have always said doing things and being with the important people in your life is better than owning stuff. I hope this doesn't sound like a brag because it's certainly not meant to be. Worked a working class job all my life and struggled and gone without at times but appreciate the good fortune of property being a lot cheaper relatively when I bought my house.
Nothing in your comment here Mark is remotely bragging. You seem to have a really good handle on what is important in life. Like you, I think that there is so much more important than owning stuff. Wish you all the best for the new year!
If you had a DB pension you should have retired at 60.
My 77 year old father has been retired since he was 63. He hasn’t left the town he’s in and he spends his day watching tv. He won’t go anywhere and he has the money to do so. He dosent think he’s missing anything and he’s happy to do what he’s doing. I don’t want that for myself but I’m not going to tell him how he should do it.
Sure, everyone is different and has different wants from life. Cool that you have ideas for what you want to do. I think the difference is likely that your father is comfortable with the retirement he chose, I think my father was always frustrated and paralysed by fear to really search out what he wanted to do.
We are all indeed different and I wish you and your father all the best for 2025.
What do you expect a 77 year old to do for goodness sake? The time to travel is from age 60 to 70.
Thanks Neil for the inspiration. Happy New Year.
Happy new year!
I'm 66 and one thing I'm sure of is you've just got to be active, whatever age you are. Exercise both your body and brain.
Hi, over 3 months into retirement and I have many aims for 2025 : travel abroad 12-14 weeks, travel uk 3 weeks, continue studying arabic, try to improve my archery ranking, theatre 8-10 times and read 24 books. I
have spent the last 5 years studying Egyptology and while I have no inclination to carry on studying within formal university education, I have a urge to fill the gap left with further study of some description.
I joined the U3A to gain cheap access to groups, playing backgammon, mah jong, canastra etc .
Gary
Wow that's brilliant and U3A seems a great resource. If we were to stay in the uk we'd have fit involved in that. All the very best.
Happy new year, another great video. thanks.
Happy new year! Thanks for getting in touch.
@@2GoRoam BTW Turkey, New york, and Morocco. Caribbean christmas cruise. Booked the first 2 already.
Wow! Looks life and fun year.
Hello Neil. Great points. I’ve been out of the workforce for over 20 years and your advice is still valuable. I interact with people that think they need to leave their current situation, especially political here in the US. But, I tell them and even my 24 year old son, you can’t run away, you have to go toward something.
I think it’s a good idea to reevaluate, perhaps at the start of the year, but WHEN the balancing takes place needs to be carefully considered. There are yearly overall patterns and January may not be the best time to balance everything.
I think you’ve said this before but, people need to look at their consumption of goods and services, how much on tv, how much on phones, how much on subscriptions, how much for cars, especially cars, how much for monthly entertainment including meals out.
Oh cars!
Yes that is a big drain. Back to banger economics in the future.
Take care M.
Yes Charles... Running away might be the catalyst but then as you are advising them, what are you running to?
Totally right on the consumption. The scary thing is when you look at them in isolation, such as "Well Netflix is only $10 a month" it can seem small fry. Add those together and then multiply for the year and it can be mind boggling.
Thank you for getting involved, really interesting post.
Happy New Year
Of all the things I believe that I wish I could convince other people to believe, yoga is the most important to me. Yoga is a science, different from western deductive science. It is the science of accumulated and practically proven knowledge.
Yoga as an accumulation of knowledge was formed in a pre-written history society in India dating to 3000 BC That society, as were all early civillizations, was matriarchal. The accumulated knowledge of all the forms of yoga was written in the Sutras in 400 CE -- well after men had asserted their control of society.
I think of yoga as self-observation. It is intensive and honest, and it is most beneficial if done routinely. Many of us do not look at ourselves in such a way very often.
There a number of obstacles to beginning a yoga routine, but something that has worked for me is Yoga With Adriene. Beginning January 1, she is posting seven daily yoga practices. Seven days is enough to begin a habit.
Adriene Mischler is also an inspiring person. She has touched millions of lives, but is still a fragile, searching human.
Thank you, sincerely. Sarah has tried Yoga before and we are both keen to use that so will check out the Adriene channel, thank you.
Thanks as always Neil. 17 months to go for me!!!!
Hey!!! Great to hear from you. 17 months to retirement??? That will go in no time!!! Drop me a message over on Patreon would you?
Cheers!
Neil
Brilliant 👏 👌
Thank you so much!
More great insights!
Thank you so much. Pleased you found it useful.
Happy New Year!
How’s the back? The last video I saw, you were in a world of hurt. CHEERS!
The back is so much better. I had a series of appointments with a physio in Spain and any time I am back, I will be continuing to see him. So fingers crossed, all looking good.
For fitness I like Walk At Home and other half likes Donovan Green (it's chair based, don't laugh though it's harder than you'd think) both on RUclips.
I won't laugh... what I will do is check that out on RUclips right now. Thanks for the heads up and Happy New Year to you.
Regarding your Dad; our interests naturally changes with age. What we might find exciting in our 40's may hold little interest a decade later.
Indeed. We're all different.
Our goals are to retire this year. Travel the US for three months. And travel Europe for three months.
That is BRILLIANT! We'd love to travel the US in an RV and will do that one day. 3 months in Europe will be incredible also. I know you'll love it. All the very best and Happy New Year!
Hi all, I’m still saving up!
So in the next decade……
Take care all M.
Nice one Mark. As you clearly know, there is no such thing as get rich quick, it takes time and diligence and given you have used the word decade, I would say you have the right attitude. You'll get there my friend.
Happy New Year!
Do you still own the campervan?
Hi Jude, no we do not. If you look at our other channel, @2goroamtravels you'll see a video about that on there.
You work for 50 years for money nothing else to pay the bills and live . When you retire you need enough money for 35 years. So if you need 20,000 ayear it's 700000 pounds for 35 years plus inflation.
Well it depends on a lot. There are a multitude of drawdown strategies and it is worth spending some time investigating all of those. Thanks for the comment and Happy New Year!
Nonsense. Using the 4% rule, £700k will give you £28k a year, likely exceeding inflation as the market grows.
People are facing a tough retirement. and it's even harder for workers to save due to low-paying jobs, inflation, and high rents. Now, middle-class Americans find it tough to own a home too, leaving them without a place to retire in.
Exactly. My uncle retired at 52 without factoring in inflation, and now he’s back working part-time. If you can’t confidently say "yes" to questions like whether your income will keep up with expenses and whether you’re debt-free, early retirement might not be for you.
It's definitely harder for the younger generation on the property front in the UK as well.
Yes, agreed. There are no easy answers. The one thing I would say is questioning your own decisions in the moment. That is to say, people can often be constrained by their thinking. For example, not considering moving to lower cost of living locations out of hand without first doing some significant research.
There are no easy answers and I think we're all in the same boat finding like more and more difficult to navigate. Wish you all the best for 2025.
Doubt friends from the past will want to reconnect.I have no friends at 53.Friends will let you down and some will betray you.
You might be surprised Darren.
Where’s the wife been?
She's been staying with her mum over Christmas 🎄
People are facing a tough retirement. and it's even harder for workers to save due to low-paying jobs, inflation, and high rents. Now, middle-class Americans find it tough to own a home too, leaving them without a place to retire in.
Yes, things seem to only be getting more tough. I think it is important to stay nimble and keep options as wide as possible. Wish you all the best for 2025!