Exactly!! The mindset shift was key and then a whole world of possibilities opened up!! Thanks for watching!! We definitely have no regrets!!! Cheers! 🥂
Ahhhh. These videos are a close replacement to our regular coffee chats Jan! Love seeing your manifestations come to life. You both look happy and HEALTHY! ❤. Can’t wait to see your next adventure!
Awwww thanks Trace!! We have been wanting to do a vid like this for a while, but it finally just clicked for us. It is like speaking your truth over coffee!! We are stoked for the next adventure.....think Christmas Markets and Pierogies 🎄🍷🥟🌟
Thank you so much for letting us know that you enjoyed this type of video! We are having a blast with lots of fun locations planned for this winter. Thanks for following along! Cheers!
Couldn’t agree more! Our motto has always been “live a story” and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing. Everyone’s “story” is different and as long as it’s YOUR story that’s all that matters. We both retired early at 50 and my husband chose to work part-time (on his own schedule) at the same job. We sold our big house and moved into an apartment about 4 years ago and people thought we were nuts. We stick with a minimal lifestyle that emphasizes experiences over things. Early in 2026 all work will cease, we’ll give up our apartment and buy a seasonal trailer where we will live in the summers and come fall 2026 “we are outta here”! Our children think it’s great…our friends and other family members look at us like we have two heads! Doesn’t matter…we’re living our story! Cheers and happy travels! Maybe we’ll be in the same place at some point!
Absolutely LOVE this!!! We love that motto "live a story"! We are very fortunate and our kids also think what we are doing is amazing. We are lucky to have great family support and I think our family loves when the nomadic van fam comes to visit in their yard!! LOL We definitely see a seasonal trailer in our future as well - once we are done exploring the country in a van (or possibly upgraded future RV) ! We feel so fortunate to travel the world for half of the year and then return "home" and camp all summer in different places!! The beauty when you are free is choosing what works for you and doing what brings you the most joy!!! I think that we will definitely be in the same place at some point - probably sooner than later because we love hanging out with like-minded "crazy" people!! LOL Thanks Lori for all of your support! Always watching our adventures and leaving us comments so we know that you are "there" with us!! We can't wait to finally hang out in person!! Cheers!! 🥂
Congratulations just found your channel. 👍 It's funny how social media has helped me find others who are great motivation for showing just how feasible one can "afford" to slow 🐌 travel the world. 🌎 20:03 I've mentioned to our friends, once our daughter goes off to university, we will start slow traveling the world. I would get the "How can you afford That?" Or even "You're crazy." So my wife and I stopped telling friends. Nice job with the Van life aspect. Time to binge watch a few of your videos 😊
We are so happy that RUclips brought us to you finally!! LOL It is amazing to find like minded people on this platform! So happy that you are excited to binge watch some Mitch and Jan! It is great that you are interested in our Rv/van life aspect as well! So fun! Thank you so much for leaving us a comment to let us know that you found us and we hope you enjoy our channel! Welcome to the journey and community!!❤️🙏🏻
Just found your channel, new subbie from Alberta! I will be retiring in Feb. 2025 at 52. My hubby and I are going on a RV trip across Canada to explore Atlantic Canada next summer June-Sept. Can’t wait! 😊
Woohoo!!! That retirement date is fast approaching!! Welcome to the channel and thank you so much for subscribing!!! We have a few videos from our Atlantic Canada trip. Not sure if you plan on hitting Newfoundland, but we cannot recommend it enough!!!! For both of us - one of our most loved trips ever! Definitely best RV trip of our life!! The whole east coast is magical!! Cabot Trail Nova Scotia.....oh so much!! Ironically we are heading to the west coast in summer 2025!! Cheers!
Thanks for another great video. I have been following you since you started your journey in Portugal and look forward to each and every video. You are naturals in front of the camera. Keep up the great work. Onward and upward. As they say here in Newfoundland and Labrador, “Long may your big jib draw.”
OMG Tom, we just shed a happy tear for Newfoundland!! What a magical time we had there!! Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement!! It really means the world to us! Long may your big jib draw!! Such a great and inspirational phrase ❤️ Cheers bud 🥂
As one of the @mitchandjan family members I will say "your family will be fine, don't let your worries about their feelings weigh on your dream choices" We were beyond excited for their journey when they told us. It was amazing news, so inspiring and you could see their joy. Yes we were sad (we lived the closest and basically spent most weekends with them), but WE didn't let OUR feelings ruin their joy. Your family or friends might not react the way you want them to but remember that's on them, do not take it on, do not doubt yourself or your dreams. The journey you will take will be inspiring! M&Js journey brings us all so much joy and between all of our family across Ontario we love our video chats (with mimosas), watching their journey and seeing how happy they are. We feel more connected to Janet than when she lived 4 hours away pre covid!!! Your family will be fine too, they will come around, they will see your joy and make it their own. Keep to your dreams, it is possible!!!
Thanks Jennie!! We are very lucky!! Our family is our biggest supporters!! We are definitely more connected to everyone since retiring because we have time!! Time is precious and cannot be bought!! YOLO!!! 🥂
Great video Guys! We are trying to get to the next step like you. Selling the house is a good option for us, but how have you planned for the latter years? For example housing? Would you just rent or re-purchase a smaller place. I think this is where we are getting hung up. Lol, any words of wisdom? Chris and Jim
Hey guys! First, thanks so much! The rest is a loaded question....LOL. We are not sure how the later years look or what we may want in the future. We definitely love travel so much that we don't see stopping in the near future. We cannot believe how much we enjoy NOT owning a house!! At first it was a fear because we felt a comfort by owning a house. Now we realize all of the money we SAVE by NOT owning. When there is a flood (legit happened to us in Vietnam when a pipe burst) or a broken water heater/pump, or furniture that needs replacing, or a stove that is broken......we do not have to fix it!! It is so freeing!!! So, our words of wisdom would be this.....do what feels comfortable to you. We feel comfortable taking the risk that we may be "priced out of the market" because we sold everything. Or we may want to settle down at some point and will need to rent...or.... we may never make it that long! LOL We are young now and we want to spend the money, do the adventures and take the risks now!! We aren't religious people, but we are spiritual and we definitely TRUST in something bigger than ourselves and know that the universe will have our back. We are not guaranteed any amount of days, so we live for today, we dream of our future, but don't worry about the hows of tomorrow. It will all work out as it should. That is all of the crazy wisdom that we have! Thank you guys and thanks for also being on a similar journey and following along with us as we follow you too!! ❤️ Cheers!! 🥂
@@mitchandjan Lol... sorry for the loaded question. We sound very similar in our thoughts and journey for sure. Just trying to figure out or path, no one really talks much about after the " Go go years". I am a dreamer as well but have a, sometimes too practical side. I like your outlook! I think we need to take the first step and seek an advisor. We have been dabbling in travel for awhile now and the travel bug is still itching for more. Thank-you for your reply we appreciate it! Wishing you more wonderful adventures. Thank-you for your support with our channel, we are also enjoying yours! Cheers Chris and Jim
After the go years we can sit in our rented apartments, play bridge and watch all of our old videos with our grandkids LOL. Maybe all of the ex-nomads can live together in a retirement community LOL. We look at our parents - Jan's are still going strong in their mid-seventies (actually meeting us in Portugal next year) and travelling all over, so not sure when the Go-go years end! Definitely see a financial planner - it really makes you realize how much money your money can make. We always thought Real estate was where its at, but there are a lot of expenses associated with real estate. Its much cheaper and more lucrative for us having that money invested in stocks and bonds and such. We are completely enjoying your channel too guys and thank you for your support! Hopefully we will see you along our travels some day!! Cheers!
Did you use a CFP that offered a plan for a flat fee or did you choose to use a Financial Planner who charges based on Assets Under Management? Do you have an opinion on this? Would you recommend a CFP?
To be honest, we use a CFP that we have used for years. Maybe it seems irresponsible, but we could not tell you what or how he charges. He manages our portfolios and is someone we have trusted for decades with our investments and taxes, from our small town. We would recommend that you use someone that you trust or is referred to you from someone you trust.
Mitch worked in the restaurant industry as a director of operations for several restaurants and Jan worked for the federal government of Canada (picture the field of cubicles) LOL
My husband just recently retired but I am still working. I am hoping for an early retirement though. If you don't mind I am curious how old you guys are? I am 54.
We don't mind you asking at all!! Mitch was 46 when he retired and Jan was 50! Mitch retired about 6 months before Jan and almost one year before the house sold and we headed out on our first 6 months abroad. You are 54 - time to live your best life!!! Thanks for watching and for taking time to comment. Cheers! 🥂
You didn't miss it as we didn't give a dollar amount. After selling our home and all of our assets and debts and mortgage paid off, we had about $650K Canadian....and a Sprinter van LOL. Thank you for keeping us transparent 😊
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Thinking differently is key to early retirement and kudos to the both of you for making your new lifestyle possible. 🎉
Exactly!! The mindset shift was key and then a whole world of possibilities opened up!! Thanks for watching!! We definitely have no regrets!!! Cheers! 🥂
Ahhhh. These videos are a close replacement to our regular coffee chats Jan! Love seeing your manifestations come to life. You both look happy and HEALTHY! ❤. Can’t wait to see your next adventure!
Awwww thanks Trace!! We have been wanting to do a vid like this for a while, but it finally just clicked for us. It is like speaking your truth over coffee!! We are stoked for the next adventure.....think Christmas Markets and Pierogies 🎄🍷🥟🌟
another Brilliant video, have fun traveling guys
Thank you so much for letting us know that you enjoyed this type of video! We are having a blast with lots of fun locations planned for this winter. Thanks for following along! Cheers!
Couldn’t agree more! Our motto has always been “live a story” and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing. Everyone’s “story” is different and as long as it’s YOUR story that’s all that matters. We both retired early at 50 and my husband chose to work part-time (on his own schedule) at the same job. We sold our big house and moved into an apartment about 4 years ago and people thought we were nuts. We stick with a minimal lifestyle that emphasizes experiences over things. Early in 2026 all work will cease, we’ll give up our apartment and buy a seasonal trailer where we will live in the summers and come fall 2026 “we are outta here”! Our children think it’s great…our friends and other family members look at us like we have two heads! Doesn’t matter…we’re living our story! Cheers and happy travels!
Maybe we’ll be in the same place at some point!
Absolutely LOVE this!!! We love that motto "live a story"! We are very fortunate and our kids also think what we are doing is amazing. We are lucky to have great family support and I think our family loves when the nomadic van fam comes to visit in their yard!! LOL We definitely see a seasonal trailer in our future as well - once we are done exploring the country in a van (or possibly upgraded future RV) ! We feel so fortunate to travel the world for half of the year and then return "home" and camp all summer in different places!! The beauty when you are free is choosing what works for you and doing what brings you the most joy!!!
I think that we will definitely be in the same place at some point - probably sooner than later because we love hanging out with like-minded "crazy" people!! LOL Thanks Lori for all of your support! Always watching our adventures and leaving us comments so we know that you are "there" with us!! We can't wait to finally hang out in person!! Cheers!! 🥂
Like I said, we are doing the Camino Frances starting September 6 from St Jean Pied de Port in France….see you there?
We are honestly thinking about it.....
Congratulations just found your channel. 👍
It's funny how social media has helped me find others who are great motivation for showing just how feasible one can "afford" to slow 🐌 travel the world. 🌎
20:03 I've mentioned to our friends, once our daughter goes off to university, we will start slow traveling the world. I would get the "How can you afford That?" Or even "You're crazy." So my wife and I stopped telling friends.
Nice job with the Van life aspect.
Time to binge watch a few of your videos 😊
We are so happy that RUclips brought us to you finally!! LOL
It is amazing to find like minded people on this platform! So happy that you are excited to binge watch some Mitch and Jan! It is great that you are interested in our Rv/van life aspect as well! So fun!
Thank you so much for leaving us a comment to let us know that you found us and we hope you enjoy our channel! Welcome to the journey and community!!❤️🙏🏻
Just found your channel, new subbie from Alberta! I will be retiring in Feb. 2025 at 52. My hubby and I are going on a RV trip across Canada to explore Atlantic Canada next summer June-Sept. Can’t wait! 😊
Woohoo!!! That retirement date is fast approaching!! Welcome to the channel and thank you so much for subscribing!!! We have a few videos from our Atlantic Canada trip. Not sure if you plan on hitting Newfoundland, but we cannot recommend it enough!!!! For both of us - one of our most loved trips ever! Definitely best RV trip of our life!! The whole east coast is magical!! Cabot Trail Nova Scotia.....oh so much!!
Ironically we are heading to the west coast in summer 2025!! Cheers!
Thanks for another great video. I have been following you since you started your journey in Portugal and look forward to each and every video. You are naturals in front of the camera. Keep up the great work. Onward and upward. As they say here in Newfoundland and Labrador, “Long may your big jib draw.”
OMG Tom, we just shed a happy tear for Newfoundland!! What a magical time we had there!! Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement!! It really means the world to us! Long may your big jib draw!! Such a great and inspirational phrase ❤️ Cheers bud 🥂
Super awesome channel!!
We are so happy you like what we are doing! We hope you will keep following along with us! 😊 Cheers!🥂
Finally someone retired earlier from Canada! Congrats!
Thank you! Yay Canadians!! 🙌🏻🇨🇦.
As one of the @mitchandjan family members I will say "your family will be fine, don't let your worries about their feelings weigh on your dream choices"
We were beyond excited for their journey when they told us. It was amazing news, so inspiring and you could see their joy. Yes we were sad (we lived the closest and basically spent most weekends with them), but WE didn't let OUR feelings ruin their joy.
Your family or friends might not react the way you want them to but remember that's on them, do not take it on, do not doubt yourself or your dreams.
The journey you will take will be inspiring!
M&Js journey brings us all so much joy and between all of our family across Ontario we love our video chats (with mimosas), watching their journey and seeing how happy they are. We feel more connected to Janet than when she lived 4 hours away pre covid!!!
Your family will be fine too, they will come around, they will see your joy and make it their own.
Keep to your dreams, it is possible!!!
Thanks Jennie!! We are very lucky!! Our family is our biggest supporters!! We are definitely more connected to everyone since retiring because we have time!! Time is precious and cannot be bought!! YOLO!!! 🥂
Great video Guys! We are trying to get to the next step like you. Selling the house is a good option for us, but how have you planned for the latter years? For example housing? Would you just rent or re-purchase a smaller place. I think this is where we are getting hung up. Lol, any words of wisdom? Chris and Jim
Hey guys! First, thanks so much! The rest is a loaded question....LOL. We are not sure how the later years look or what we may want in the future. We definitely love travel so much that we don't see stopping in the near future. We cannot believe how much we enjoy NOT owning a house!! At first it was a fear because we felt a comfort by owning a house. Now we realize all of the money we SAVE by NOT owning. When there is a flood (legit happened to us in Vietnam when a pipe burst) or a broken water heater/pump, or furniture that needs replacing, or a stove that is broken......we do not have to fix it!! It is so freeing!!! So, our words of wisdom would be this.....do what feels comfortable to you. We feel comfortable taking the risk that we may be "priced out of the market" because we sold everything. Or we may want to settle down at some point and will need to rent...or.... we may never make it that long! LOL We are young now and we want to spend the money, do the adventures and take the risks now!! We aren't religious people, but we are spiritual and we definitely TRUST in something bigger than ourselves and know that the universe will have our back. We are not guaranteed any amount of days, so we live for today, we dream of our future, but don't worry about the hows of tomorrow. It will all work out as it should. That is all of the crazy wisdom that we have! Thank you guys and thanks for also being on a similar journey and following along with us as we follow you too!! ❤️ Cheers!! 🥂
@@mitchandjan Lol... sorry for the loaded question. We sound very similar in our thoughts and journey for sure. Just trying to figure out or path, no one really talks much about after the " Go go years". I am a dreamer as well but have a, sometimes too practical side. I like your outlook! I think we need to take the first step and seek an advisor. We have been dabbling in travel for awhile now and the travel bug is still itching for more. Thank-you for your reply we appreciate it! Wishing you more wonderful adventures. Thank-you for your support with our channel, we are also enjoying yours! Cheers Chris and Jim
After the go years we can sit in our rented apartments, play bridge and watch all of our old videos with our grandkids LOL. Maybe all of the ex-nomads can live together in a retirement community LOL. We look at our parents - Jan's are still going strong in their mid-seventies (actually meeting us in Portugal next year) and travelling all over, so not sure when the Go-go years end! Definitely see a financial planner - it really makes you realize how much money your money can make. We always thought Real estate was where its at, but there are a lot of expenses associated with real estate. Its much cheaper and more lucrative for us having that money invested in stocks and bonds and such. We are completely enjoying your channel too guys and thank you for your support! Hopefully we will see you along our travels some day!! Cheers!
Did you use a CFP that offered a plan for a flat fee or did you choose to use a Financial Planner who charges based on Assets Under Management? Do you have an opinion on this? Would you recommend a CFP?
To be honest, we use a CFP that we have used for years. Maybe it seems irresponsible, but we could not tell you what or how he charges. He manages our portfolios and is someone we have trusted for decades with our investments and taxes, from our small town. We would recommend that you use someone that you trust or is referred to you from someone you trust.
Just wondering what type of work did you retire from?
Mitch worked in the restaurant industry as a director of operations for several restaurants and Jan worked for the federal government of Canada (picture the field of cubicles) LOL
My husband just recently retired but I am still working. I am hoping for an early retirement though. If you don't mind I am curious how old you guys are? I am 54.
We don't mind you asking at all!! Mitch was 46 when he retired and Jan was 50! Mitch retired about 6 months before Jan and almost one year before the house sold and we headed out on our first 6 months abroad. You are 54 - time to live your best life!!! Thanks for watching and for taking time to comment. Cheers! 🥂
@mitchandjan Thanks for responding. Glad you guys are on this magical journey!
Thank you so much for your support! 🙏🏻🌟
Maybe I missed it, but how much $ did you retire with?
You didn't miss it as we didn't give a dollar amount. After selling our home and all of our assets and debts and mortgage paid off, we had about $650K Canadian....and a Sprinter van LOL. Thank you for keeping us transparent 😊