As a fellow Swift 650 owner, my own story has a clear rhyme to yours. I worked in IT security (left the big company 5 years ago, age 56, and have done contracting until mostly retiring recently age 61) and my wife had breast cancer 5 years ago - she’s just got her 5 year all clear. Both kids have left home so we got the Swift earlier this year, 2022 model (no Swift Command 🤐) second hand from a local dealer, as the original new purchaser went away in it once and came back and swapped it for an A Class motorhome - thanks for the extras (dual motor mover and bike rack) and around £6k off the price of a new one without the extras 👍 I’ve just bought an F-Pace (1 year old used, diesel mild hybrid, 7,000 miles) as my retirement present with some of my pension lump sum, along with the Swift 650. We love having the caravan as a base to holiday from, and a nice comfy car to tour the local area. We try to go for fully serviced pitches now, so once “plugged in” to power, water and waste there is little to do other than relax. Levelling is a pain when it’s raining on arrival, but some chap has a RUclips channel and has had the E&P Level C system fitted to his Swift 650 - so I’m speaking with a local company who can fit this to our van 🤣🤣🤣 We have a 5 day rule on our awning (Dometic Air 390) and don’t put it up if staying less than this, or if the weather is going to need it to be packed away wet. I can put it up on my own, but need my wife’s help to fold it and get it back in the bag, so in time that may become an issue as we get older, but it’s fine for now. Having worked in IT Security there is a term “Security Theatre” that even my wife (a retired nurse) uses when we are at “security checkpoints” going into airports and theatres etc. This keeps honest people honest, and makes them feel safer, but in reality with my “Red Team” hat on there are so many ways to compromise this theatre show, where no doubt your nail clippers would be confiscated for “security” reasons. Sorry if this is a rambling response to your video, but the similarities are striking for me.
Was just sitting outside my local hospital having literally just got the all clear from a prostate cancer scare. I opened RUclips to kill time while the Mrs was in the hospital café getting two cups of tea. This video was randomly on the top of the list so I watched it. I’m now on the lookout for a caravan, never before having thought of getting one. Thanks for posting the video. 👍
I see real similarities here. I retired from my career in 2016 with a pension but returned in a staff role. I had a wonderful job which I loved and believed I would continue to do until I was seventy. Suddenly, management changed and a very close friend contracted the dreaded PC which had been left too long and went into his bones. He was five years older than me and always said he wished he'd retired five years sooner when he was 64. My friend died last year, my job totally lost its appeal almost overnight due to poor management which has now come home to roost and I was 64. I thought to myself, I'm in a good position financially, you don't know what is around the corner, I'm off and I retired for the second time last August. We've had eleven weeks away in the caravan since. It took us 12 months to choose a caravan over a motorhome for all the reasons you mention and don't regret it one iota. Thank you for this insightful video.
I retired at the age of 71 after a lifetime of work and working for myself part time between the age of 61 and 71. Covid made me realise I liked being at home. Sheila had retired with a reasonable pension. I did all the jobs around the cottage that I'd been to busy to do. We had already got a caravan. So long story short. Sold my investment property. Bought a new caravan (which is an on going drama) and we enjoy our retirement together with our caravan. Just finishing (next Wed.) the longest holiday ever of 6 weeks touring Holland, Luxembourg, Black Forest and France. Home for the shooting season, Christmas etc then start again next Feb or March. We both have other interests though! It's not just caravanning. That is just one part of being retired. We have a plan to take forwards when we might have to revise touring. But while we are healthy we will keep doing what we both enjoy very much. Hope you and Mandy have many more years ahead. Like your Vlogs!
I retired over 13 years ago at 51 years of age on 27th March 2010, just before Gordon Brown increased the private retirement age to 55. I have a final salary pension and I had also bought 8 extra years AVC's, so my pension was only short by 3%, of that if I had finished at 60 as normal. Big redundancy payout on a large plant closure and the largest pension lump sum I could take ( tax free then ). Best thing that ever happened to me. I have a ultra reliable source of money paid to me monthly. Investments. No mortgage and all the time in the world to enjoy myself in extremely good health. I would say to anybody, retire as early as you can, it is wonderful. Oh, and get a caravan and campervan of course.
This makes complete sense to me. I had a heart scare a year ago. Life’s too short to worry about 12 years from now. A friend died suddenly in August at 50, my wife’s cousin a few weeks later, also 50. So, we bought a better tow car and upgraded our caravan. Best decision we made. We now have more luxury for as long as we remain healthy.
My missus has just turned 65 and had a physical job. She had pneumonia in 2021 and although fully recovered it took it out of her. It was a no brainer, a decision was made, she’s just retired a year before state pension age but we thought why struggle for another year…
I did the same Graham I cashed one of my pensions in and cleared every debt I had apart from the caravan and I always said when I retire ill just do 3 days a week Completely debt free now and loving life in the caravan and I won't be working past my retirement as you never no what's around the corner so enjoy life at our age whilst you have it Touching vlog mate 👍
I totally agree 100% with everything you have covered in this vlog. I retired two year's ago having taken all you have mentioned into consideration and i have never looked back. Life is to short so enjoy yourself whilst you can. You'll be surprised how you can cut back a little to make it work. Enjoy.
Hi Graham. Quite a profound video. I am in a very similar position as you. I have a pension, we have no debt at all including our house. Yes we have to adjust our spending, well I do🤪. As you know I was very good friends with Martin & Ian. I thought sod it life is too short. We go away as much as possible even without the Caravan. My knee is knackered now so I make the most of my time. Thanks for sharing your reasons. One of your best videos. Phil🙂👍
Thanks for watching Phil. Yes, a bit of a departure for me making that type of vlog, but it was what I was feeling and the time. I wasn't sure whether to mention Mart and Ian, but they were factors in my difficult decision..
My wife and I both retired at 56 debt free good jobs good pensions we are both 70 now. We travelled where and when we wanted to. 12 yrs ago Our youngest and family went to Sydney so then we went there for 3 months at a time up until 2019 we came back and I said like you I've had enough of airports and stupid people. So got a puppy and then a caravan after 50 years of thinking caravans shouldn't be allowed to block the roads we absolutely love it. We bought an older one to try it and learn and this yr bought a newer one to which I've added various things for our comfort. On the back it says discreetly Living the dream and we are. So I get where your coming from totally chum, you take care.
You are so right here Graham. Im 73 retired from contacting at 64 to look after dearly beloved. Lately found caravanning a struggle (not always easy putting awning up on your own). But.........Our kids tell me if you give up caravanning you will be in your grave in 6 months Dad! You mentioned mental health in one of the previous vlog. Chasing sunsets was the order of the day when younger. These days it is good just to sit outside the van and listen to the birdsong.
Thanks for watching. I like nothing more than just sitting outside the caravan. That’s why good sites are important. 👍🏻I think it’s best to keep active whilst you can
Hi G , my wife is 10yrs older than me , we don’t have kids so what we have is ours. My wife said she would take early retirement if I stopped working. We got all our finances in order , just like you , nothing on HP unless it’s interest free. We retired 13yrs ago , I was 47, people asked what I would do with my time? My answer is always what I want when I want & not under someone else’s time. It’s been a godsend, my dad had pancreatic cancer so it was in & out of hospital all hours of the day & night & I didn’t need to ask for time off. Obviously he passed away & then my mum took ill. So being retired has worked for us. My brother lives in Canada & he got remarried so we went over for the wedding, like you I found the whole flying thing stressful and a pain in the arse. A motto I kinda live by is “do it now you’re a long time dead”. Enjoy your retirement buddy.
Graham What you said made perfect sense to me. We’ve just bought our first ever caravan in preparation for my retirement in 2 years, been away twice already in 7 weeks or so and want to go again. Even the recent 55 mph winds in the Lake District didn’t take the shine off. For me, hearing you pretty much explaining my own thought process was profound, if not a bit surreal. You are on the way to be the spiritual ‘van father’.
thanks Graham i am taking early retirement in the next few months aged just 57, we now just want to spend the next few years caravanning and hope to buy a twin axel fixed bed in January, your vloggers have been invaluable in giving great information, thanks again
Peas in a Pod Graham, we’ve made the decision to Retire in 18 months I’ll be 64. I love working in the school but as you say you can’t buy time. Martin passing, Ian becoming unwell and my best friend ( been mates since we were 12) suffered a minor stroke, makes you re evaluate, we’ll raise a glass to Retirement at NEC. Take care.
Hi Graham. You sound like me. I was made redundant by the Local council in 2012 and luckily I am also an entertainer. I realised that employers have no care whatsoever in getting rid of you whenever they want to. There is no loyalty that way. I took my pensions at 60 (I’m now 62] with the belief that I don’t know how long I have left so I’d rather enjoy it with my wife while we are still physically able to. I came back to caravanning 2 years ago and bought an excellent 8 year old Swift Conqueror. We love it. I’m registered disabled but I have no issues living the caravan lifestyle. We are away as often as we can doing as much as we can as often as we can. Life really is too short and you are right, you cannot buy time. Although I live in Carlisle I love doing distances so at the moment I’m in Cornwall with the van then off to Dorset then Somerset before home, last year we did the whole of Scotland. In all I estimate I’ve travelled 8000 miles towing since I got this van in Aug 21 and I don’t intend to stop for a while. I’m very much into the concept that I’ll find a way to survive so if I am penny less with all pension gone then I’ll find a way, I always have, I’m an optimist. Thanks for a really great video.
Thanks for watching. Good on you for getting out and about, it really is a great lifestyle, we're away at the moment, squeezing in a few days here and there.
So many similarities, retired in 2016 @57, with the help of a redundancy and superannuation, we have a Swift 654 here in OZ and are debt free, it's great feeling.
Enjoy yourselves. We took the plunge and retired 8years ago. We’ve never regretted it, and have had some great trips away in our caravan. Try and add some structure to your week though, or else you'll never know what day it is 😂
I retired at 57 in 2017, I'm 65 next April it was a big decision back then to be living on a third of what I used to earn,, luckily we were in a good finacial situation, as you probably know we were MH owners before 2021 when we changed to a caravan, the best thing we ever did, as they say you get to a point in life and remember that you are less time on this earth as you have had so make the most of what time you have 👍
A stop and think video there Graham 🤔. We are in the Autumn of our lives and the older we get the quicker time passes. Good to hear you’ve grabbed life by the horns and listened to your heart…. All our best wishes, Rob & Gail 😀😀
To add to your dilemma I will mention three score and ten, being what the average person is allotted, cosine do better, some do worse, so I am with your reasoning for retirement. I retired at 53 ( which is a bit early) but got the offer and worked for a big company, couldn’t not have it, they were getting rid of all the dead wood (I was dead wood) I bought a new caravan and car 10 years ago and fortunately they are both still going and I am nearly 77 so, it worked for me and I am still going strong all be it that I look a new caravans but can’t afford them so the moral is every day after seventy is a bonus and try and live life to the full going what you enjoy. Keep up the good work.
Very interesting, and I concur on several of the points you make about caravanning. I'm 77 now and last year bought a newer ( 5 year old swift) van. I don't know how long I can continue but I still enjoy it.
Great outlook on life - a lot like mine. My wife retired at 55 and me at 61 (I'm 64 now). We have modest incomes but are debt free, owning house, car and caravan. I have no interest in sinking £80-100K into a motorhome - even if I could afford to. We've taken our van around Europe, including France, southern Spain and Portugal, and towing is incredibly easy there - set cruise to 90kph, get in convoy with some lorries and appreciate the scenery. Then of course we have the car to sightsee. We like to explore areas so move every 4-5 nights, which I think suits caravans better. When it gets too much we'll sell up. When I hit my 50s and my mid-life crisis I bought a very smart Mercedes two-seater convertible, in which we toured Europe and stayed in apartments and aparthotels. It was quite affordable and we could easily do that again (assuming I could get into the thing 🙂).
I Cannae believe I'm saying this Graham but you just did a whole vlog, talking complete sense. I couldn't agree with you more. Time is the most precious thing any of us have. Waste it wisely 😆👍
Well I don’t know! Brilliant insight, excellent Vlog. We did more or less the exact same except the Motorhome bit! Would still love one, but I know I have left it too late in life. Fab and thanks for sharing.
Great vlog mate - we went early at 56, escaped the Uk to live in France then flogged ourselves restoring 7 acres of forest/lake/pasture until heart attack at 59 and again at 64 to be honest it didn’t really slow me down (French medical system gives fantastic confidence) but after a lifetime of holidays all over the globe and latterly in India, didn’t feel confident flying - so decided to see more of Europe- helped by living in the middle of France. Having stayed in friends (retirement purchased) motorhome several times and truly not understanding the choice for all the common sense reasons you’ve said we settled on a caravan - we keep our cars a long time, (maintenance is so much cheaper than loans or leasing) the last a merc coupe for 13 years and this a now 10 year old VW Amarok so we already had the perfect tow car - super comfortable and can tow anything, we took the plunge and bought an 8ft wide hobby new from Germany March 22 - two seasons in 10,000km 5 countries and a total of 12 months away we haven’t looked back despite a carotid endactectomy in the middle of it - long post but just to say we watched every one of your vloggs and they contributed enormously to our decision to go for it - so thank you - just enjoy your retirement while you can - we shall
😳.... what a brilliant vlog Graham. The wife & l 'escaped' from the Civil Service in our late 50's for many similar reasons & circumstances. Now living the (caravan) dream & loving it!Long may it continue for us all. 😊👍
Excellent Vlog. Your story is very similar to my own. I retired at 59 and lived on my savings until my pensions became available with out taking a financial penalty. Yes we have 35% of what I previously earned, but we have freedom to enjoy our caravan with and hopefully I will live longer than my father did (67) to get the most out of retirement. Perhaps more importantly we can afford to live so it it is not a real hardship. Van versus motorhome. An easy decision for us. The caravan wins as it allows more freedom, it is cheaper and more flexible for us. I have written to you before and stated that as I age I want the ease of a motorhome when setting up. We have a mover, self levelling and an on board water tank so if it is raining when we arrive on site once un hooked I press buttons to set up the van. We travel with about 15 litres of water in the on board tank so can have a brew once positioned and levelled. The awning is the only major hassle but that is the same as a MH. Yes I paid a lot of money for a top of the range van and paid extra for the "toys" or necessities as I see it, but the convenience will hopefully be worth it and should extend my caravanning life. A motorhome with similar facilities would be costing £150K + and that is too rich for me. I had my last caravan for 19 years and will hopefully have this new one for 20 years well into my 8th decade so the cost when spread out over 20 years is not too great. Keep up the good work Colin
I found myself in the same position as you and I decided to retire early as well. I was fortunate enough to have paid off all my debts/mortgage. This meant that my private pension and savings would be nearly the same as my income when I was working. It was a no brainer, the only issue now is short breaks. We show dogs so frequently go away for the night and it was too much hassle for the van plus awning etc. The upshot of it all is that we are going to buy a small MH which could tow our caravan so best of both worlds!
I retired in July 2018 @ 51.. got made redundant and I had a final salary pension which they enhanced as if I was 60... Best thing that ever happened to me... Mrs had the same 8 months later. Happy days..
Your video has given me food for thought. I too worked in the city for a Swiss bank for many years and in 2016 they made me and my entire team redundant. I decided to wind down a bit so took a job with another bank going back to being a DBA again and am still doing it although now I work full time from home. My wife had health problems earlier this year so she retired there and then. I'm 65 and plan to retire in September next year but seeing your video is making think I should just retire now and enjoy life while I can. My wife and I love caravanning as we both hate airports and have been doing it since 2012 in an old Abbey Spectrum 620 which we love. Due to age and health issues we are finding it harder to deal with setting up our full size Isabella awning so we only use it if we are staying somewhere for seven days or more. We use a 260 inflatable porch awning when touring around as it only takes 14 mins to set up and less to take down. We also use fully serviced pitches when available as setting up water and waste is a doddle and no dragging waste masters and aqua rolls around. We considered a motorhome but like you we prefer the freedom of having the car to get around.
This video prompted an immediate discussion in our household. I have never been orientated towards a motorhome anyway, so it always, has and will be a caravan or some form of trailer for me. Being in Japan, the threshold for needing a towing licence or not is 750kg. Currently, my caravan is an old second-hand one that clears this line. If we are going to upgrade to a more comfortable caravan with more modern fridge, air conditioning (an absolute must in Japan) and the add-ons you mention, then we'd better start preparing for it now. Obtaining a class 2 towing licence in Japan, involves attending driving school and the vehicle is a HGV articulated lorry (I kid you not). A relatively small artic, but an artic nonetheless. So, there's a lot of preparation and costs involved, so we'd better get ourselves in gear.
I'm retired. My advice to anyone, whatever age they are, is this....if you can afford to retire, why keep working? Whoever you work for is making far more money than you. There can't be many people who on their death beds say 'I'm glad I worked as hard as I did for those extra years!'
Hi there Just watched your vlogg and was stunned ,i fitted the motorhome salesman,s perfect customer ,only one drawback ,saw the cost and just couldnt afford it on my new pension . However what i could afford was a small 2 berth caravan ,my wife had her car stolen and replaced with a 1500cc Mazda and with my pension lumpsum could afford a 5 year old 2 berth caravan ....so here we are ready for the 2024 season ..thanks for a really honest and helpful vlogg will follow you closely on youtube ,once again thanks
Thanks for watching. Sounds like a perfect set up there. Motorhomes are aspirational, but as you say expensive. I still think a caravan and car is a much better option. They dont have the same image though..
Very interesting, thanks for that, we've gone through a similar thought process basically to see how we can work as little as possible and holiday as much as possible before we"re too old to do either. Everyone's situation is different, I might do a vlog on it.
Interesting video, Graham, thanks. Having tried motorhoming and caravanning, I agree that caravans are an attractive option in retirement for the reasons you mention. Whatever your age, caravans are a better choice for those who like to stay in one location for at least 4/5 days before moving on, because having the car can be so valuable and you can just wander off and leave the caravan in "nightime mode" if you want to get an early start for a day trip. Motorhomes are better for the grand tours of mainland Europe, maybe staying 2/3 nights in each location. They are also better if you are wokring full time and want to get away for two nights on the weekend. Maintaining a motorhome (£270 for a oil change?!) and buyng all that diesel is an expensive game for most retirees... We tow a small 6 metre caravan with an MTPLM of 1300kg. The towcar is capable of towing 1700kg, so the whole towing experience is pretty relaxed. I think all too often people go to close to the towing capacity of their vehicle towing long heavy caravans which, for me at least, is not much fun. Some are fine with the big rigs, but it's not for me...
As I’ve said before Graham, love your honesty and outlook on life generally ,I was fortunate to take enough out of my work pension to contribute to paying off the mortgage so we just have the living bills.
Great video Graham . Life is so precious. I retired this year at 60 ! Yes life style has to change but time stands still for no one . My advice to anyone is retire as soon as you can. I can relate to everything you said . Well done mate .
That was a very interesting vlog, and given us plenty to think about, we are currently 52 & 56 so a few years off retirement yet but hope to be in a position to not right up unit 67. We love the caravanning life which we began in 2009 and spent a few year motorhoming, but found it didn't really work for us so have recently gone back to caravanning and don't think there is anything really that would cause us to much problem as we get older, but am sure we will always find a way round it if there is anything that comes up.
Retiring in the caravan is the plan here, selling up and full time caravan touring.. Obviously avoiding the B word here, but considering buy in France, maybe
Hi Graham. Totally agree with what you have said. I'm retired like you simar situation regarding finance pay everything off and enjoy the time you have left. I have had friends and family pass away to soon. I always say you can't buy time or memories. Thanks for sharing 👍
Great vlog Graham. Your story is very similar to mine. I was in IT for more years than IT has been a term. The upside was I earned good money and could build a healthy pension fund. The downside was all the pressure the industry piles on itself. There was a temptation to just keep going, however, I knew of too many friends my age in IT who had died. I’m not saying IT caused them to die, but it does bring mortality home to you and I do wonder how much a part stress paid in their ability to get through whatever caused their untimely and unfair deaths. That’s the morbid bit over! We’ve caravanned for many years as well as the occasional cruise. It was a clear choice for us to continue. I retired a couple of years ago at 59 after 2 years of sitting in an office at home, like many did. Yes, it means cutting our cloth differently, but we have no debts and many of the simple pleasures we get from being away in the caravan are free. I’ve followed your vlogs for quite some time now and your one of the few I always look out for. Keep up the good work and enjoy a life of caravans and tea/coffee shops and get used to your own technology ageing 😂 On a slightly humorous note, I know I’ve settled into retirement now because I managed to fall out of the caravan door and land in a heap just as a couple were walking by 😂 Maybe a vlog on steps is needed 🤔
Excellent vlog Graham. So many similarities with our lives, life is too short to carry on working to 66/67, as long as the finances work out best to leave work and enjoy caravanning. Of our 4 parents only one lived to retirement age and also one of my siblings died aged 42 so it does make you think what you want from life. Hopefully you & Mandy will enjoy many adventures going forward and best of luck with the house move.
Thanks for watching. When you think of it, as you've said there, the amount of people you lose, far to young is shocking. Retiring is a bit of a leap of faith, in that you're not sure how things will pan out. But as we know, time won't wait, so sometimes you just have to make a decision..
Great insight Graham. We are going through the process ourselves. Traded our 5yr old caravan for new one a couple of months ago, in readiness for retirement. Just turning 62, no longer enjoy working, so early in 2024 we will be making the change
100% agree with you Graham I'm the same age as you I would retire if I could I'm like you live life now you don't know what's around the corner I know to many people who have plans for retirement but they either don't get there or don't have the finances when they do why wait you never know what tomorrow brings enjoy every day tomorrow is not a given
This is a marvellous Vlog once again, so very true life is too short enjoy yourselves, this video has got me really thinking about the future thank you for putting it out and your honesty 😊
Fantastic vlog Graham and well put together. It’s definitely thought provoking. One of my customers retired last year after a lot of years in their profession. 3 weeks later she died. Enjoy your life and your health while you have it. It’s all you can do
I retired two years back at the age of 58. Took a hit on my company pension but really I didn't because basically it's drawn over a longer period. I've had a couple of health scares and thought what the f**k am I doing. Like you said you can't buy time and we rather do things why we can rather than bunk up money for when we're old and wrecked. Had to pull the belt in here and there but you'd be surprised on the amount you spend on crap. Out in the van next week after this rain and living the dream. Most importantly I've no regrets at all in finishing work. 👍
Thought provoking blog Graham. I'm 58 and health wise not good. But you have to live everyday as if its your last. Never know what's around the corner. All the best 👍
Really good vlog Graham. Open and honest. It will be really helpful for those not retired yet but maybe thinking of doing it. One thing you mentioned was paying off loans. Being debt free is very important. As you also mentioned you have to ‘cut your cloth’ and live within your means. Once you you’ve addressed these things you are a long way to being able to enjoy your retirement. I look forward to the continued journey. All the best.
Enjoy your life , Like you said none of us know how long we have or how long we will have good health. I retired at 58 mainly down to covid, I had planned to start a 3 day week but just thought why bother, lets just retire early and enjoy our lives. We got ourselves a caravan and used our current car to tow it, with our house paid for our out goings are very small. I had some solar panels and a battery installed to keep our electric bill low which turned out to be a very wise move. Since retiring I have realised you don't need to spend very much to have an enjoyable life, no I'm never going to buy a Ferrari but I've realised I don't actually want one, I have a cheap classic motorcycle which costs nothing to tax or mot and costs peanuts to maintain .It's a cheap 2nd form of transport if my wife is using the car and is a good hobby for me. Life shouldn't be about material things, just make some good memories in the time we have.
Thoughtful vlog this one, at only 47 I'm unfortunately a few years off of retirement, but I intend to do everything I can to finish work as soon as possible. On the caravan/motorhome point, am I alone in finding it odd to see a motorhome towing a car..........😂
I wanted to retire at 55 this year. But after calculating how long I can live off my savings if I pay myself 2 to 2500k a month, I realized, nope can't yet. If I retired 20 years ago I would have been set. All I know is don't wait till 65 to retire. My dad finally retired at 65 was starting to enjoy it, then died 2.5 years later. Pancreatic Cancer, but cancer didn't kill him, incompetent doctors did. So, what's my chances after 65 is the question I started asking myself. So I've been watching ba lot of videos on RV'S and planning what's best way to retire. Land is so freaking expensive, here. So still figuring it out.
Wow a deep vlog this week, but one I can relate to. 6 years ago I took early retirement having had a serious RTA, my fault entirely trying to get home after a week of staying in different hotels. The 40t truck made mincemeat of my car and I was lucky to get out with just cuts and bruises. I loved my job, but knew that day I had to get out aged 60.
Great vlog Graham, really insightful. Ive got my eye on the retirement gig. Nit quite 60 myself and wife a tad younger. Both have decent pensions but the penalty for going too early keeps us working for a little while longer. Like you its about what we can afford once we stop. 👍 Glad to see its all working out.
Very similar circumstances Graham. I even said Oasis song a millisecond before you. I’m not a Southern softy though😂 Has the need for a couple of hours more a day and an extra day a week hit you yet?
Thank you for the very personal insight, very open and honest. Certainly made us both think about our retirement plans and when the right time might be. We really enjoyed it and hope to bump into you at the Caravan show later this month👍
Nice one Graham and congratulations on making it to early retirement… 👏🏻 🐢 Had similar plans working up from 55 - 60 - 65 and all of them actually passed me by, for one reason or another… 🙄 🐍 Too long a story matey! But enjoy your very sensible decision and have a long and happy one sir… ✅ 👍🏻
I think you have overwhelming support for your decision,well done. I’m also in a similar position having retired at 58 and love caravanning. Looking forward to some more cheerier vlogs though 😁as for the levelling& aqua roll that’s the other half’s department 😂
Does Mandy drive or tow the van? The reason I ask is my good lady once said while we were away ‘Can I tow it home?’ I thought why not and now she loves it and does most of the towing now. Then I thought it makes sense to have two drivers, if I was ill while we were away at least we can get the outfit home. I am 70 now and my wife retires next year so we are hoping to use our van a lot more.
Sometimes I can't help but wonder if airports have intentionally been made to be insufferable since 9/11. Always was suspicious of how fast the DarthCheneyCorp Regime was able to whip out their 'Dept. of Home Security Bill' right after 9/11. It was near 4,200 pages long. That took some serious pre-planning IMHO. ~ Anyway, huzzah for remote work because it's the RV life for me.
My younger brother, heavy smoker, liked a drink shall we say, retired early at 58. He chucked smoking, reduced his drinking, and got an allotment. Lost a shed load of weight, healthy tan, dropped dead a week before his 61st birthday with complications from COPD. A wake up call..
This is a funny one for me. I am now 42 and soon will be having a career change as want to see if there is anything better, will be working from home a lot. Everyone always goes well you two are on good money just go and but a new motorhome or whatever. Thing is I don't want to work till I am nearly 70. As man I may get to 75 so why work that hard for a few years. So yes I am tight and try not to spend money. What having no caravan debt, no car debt and only a mortgage left is freedom. Yes still don't spend a lot but if like last month 500 pounds worth of bills happen unforeseen I can cope with that. So if you get a motorhome or whatever it will be below 20K and hope we can keep it working. Still people don't understand as they like debt debt debt. Debt traps you and stops you being free.
Hi, another great vlog, just trying to decide if you’ve cheered me up or as I’ve been retired a few years now, and am a caravanner, do I need to look over my shoulder for that guy in black with the scythe. On second I think I’ll just have a smile and try and hang on till your next vlog.
Thanks for watching. Was a weird vlog to make, it wasn't particularly "up beat" was it, quite different, but interesting to see how it was received.. Hopefully more cheerful subjects from now on :-)
im 55 shortly and about to take my private pension which i have been paying since i was 17,people keep telling me you are too young to retire,but when you lose friends and family it makes you think 'you never know' then there is all this rubbish going on in the uk now,i just keep thinking we should move out of the uk all together and take my money elsewhere
As a fellow Swift 650 owner, my own story has a clear rhyme to yours.
I worked in IT security (left the big company 5 years ago, age 56, and have done contracting until mostly retiring recently age 61) and my wife had breast cancer 5 years ago - she’s just got her 5 year all clear.
Both kids have left home so we got the Swift earlier this year, 2022 model (no Swift Command 🤐) second hand from a local dealer, as the original new purchaser went away in it once and came back and swapped it for an A Class motorhome - thanks for the extras (dual motor mover and bike rack) and around £6k off the price of a new one without the extras 👍
I’ve just bought an F-Pace (1 year old used, diesel mild hybrid, 7,000 miles) as my retirement present with some of my pension lump sum, along with the Swift 650.
We love having the caravan as a base to holiday from, and a nice comfy car to tour the local area. We try to go for fully serviced pitches now, so once “plugged in” to power, water and waste there is little to do other than relax. Levelling is a pain when it’s raining on arrival, but some chap has a RUclips channel and has had the E&P Level C system fitted to his Swift 650 - so I’m speaking with a local company who can fit this to our van 🤣🤣🤣
We have a 5 day rule on our awning (Dometic Air 390) and don’t put it up if staying less than this, or if the weather is going to need it to be packed away wet. I can put it up on my own, but need my wife’s help to fold it and get it back in the bag, so in time that may become an issue as we get older, but it’s fine for now.
Having worked in IT Security there is a term “Security Theatre” that even my wife (a retired nurse) uses when we are at “security checkpoints” going into airports and theatres etc. This keeps honest people honest, and makes them feel safer, but in reality with my “Red Team” hat on there are so many ways to compromise this theatre show, where no doubt your nail clippers would be confiscated for “security” reasons.
Sorry if this is a rambling response to your video, but the similarities are striking for me.
Was just sitting outside my local hospital having literally just got the all clear from a prostate cancer scare. I opened RUclips to kill time while the Mrs was in the hospital café getting two cups of tea. This video was randomly on the top of the list so I watched it. I’m now on the lookout for a caravan, never before having thought of getting one. Thanks for posting the video. 👍
You’re welcome and thanks for watching. All the best for the future 👍🏻
I see real similarities here. I retired from my career in 2016 with a pension but returned in a staff role. I had a wonderful job which I loved and believed I would continue to do until I was seventy. Suddenly, management changed and a very close friend contracted the dreaded PC which had been left too long and went into his bones. He was five years older than me and always said he wished he'd retired five years sooner when he was 64. My friend died last year, my job totally lost its appeal almost overnight due to poor management which has now come home to roost and I was 64. I thought to myself, I'm in a good position financially, you don't know what is around the corner, I'm off and I retired for the second time last August. We've had eleven weeks away in the caravan since. It took us 12 months to choose a caravan over a motorhome for all the reasons you mention and don't regret it one iota. Thank you for this insightful video.
I retired at the age of 71 after a lifetime of work and working for myself part time between the age of 61 and 71. Covid made me realise I liked being at home. Sheila had retired with a reasonable pension. I did all the jobs around the cottage that I'd been to busy to do. We had already got a caravan. So long story short. Sold my investment property. Bought a new caravan (which is an on going drama) and we enjoy our retirement together with our caravan. Just finishing (next Wed.) the longest holiday ever of 6 weeks touring Holland, Luxembourg, Black Forest and France. Home for the shooting season, Christmas etc then start again next Feb or March. We both have other interests though! It's not just caravanning. That is just one part of being retired. We have a plan to take forwards when we might have to revise touring. But while we are healthy we will keep doing what we both enjoy very much. Hope you and Mandy have many more years ahead. Like your Vlogs!
I retired over 13 years ago at 51 years of age on 27th March 2010, just before Gordon Brown increased the private retirement age to 55. I have a final salary pension and I had also bought 8 extra years AVC's, so my pension was only short by 3%, of that if I had finished at 60 as normal. Big redundancy payout on a large plant closure and the largest pension lump sum I could take ( tax free then ). Best thing that ever happened to me. I have a ultra reliable source of money paid to me monthly. Investments. No mortgage and all the time in the world to enjoy myself in extremely good health. I would say to anybody, retire as early as you can, it is wonderful. Oh, and get a caravan and campervan of course.
This makes complete sense to me. I had a heart scare a year ago. Life’s too short to worry about 12 years from now. A friend died suddenly in August at 50, my wife’s cousin a few weeks later, also 50. So, we bought a better tow car and upgraded our caravan. Best decision we made. We now have more luxury for as long as we remain healthy.
A lot of valid points. Don’t forget a lot of motor homers use Aqua Rolls, Waste Masters, Awning’s and tow cars as well.
My missus has just turned 65 and had a physical job. She had pneumonia in 2021 and although fully recovered it took it out of her. It was a no brainer, a decision was made, she’s just retired a year before state pension age but we thought why struggle for another year…
I did the same Graham
I cashed one of my pensions in and cleared every debt I had apart from the caravan and I always said when I retire ill just do 3 days a week
Completely debt free now and loving life in the caravan and I won't be working past my retirement as you never no what's around the corner so enjoy life at our age whilst you have it
Touching vlog mate 👍
He forgot to mention Graham he didn't pay any of mine off 😮😉 great vlog and something me and Tony have been discussing alot x
😁That’s bloke is selfish isn’t it 😂🙄
I totally agree 100% with everything you have covered in this vlog. I retired two year's ago having taken all you have mentioned into consideration and i have never looked back. Life is to short so enjoy yourself whilst you can. You'll be surprised how you can cut back a little to make it work. Enjoy.
Hi Graham. Quite a profound video. I am in a very similar position as you. I have a pension, we have no debt at all including our house. Yes we have to adjust our spending, well I do🤪. As you know I was very good friends with Martin & Ian. I thought sod it life is too short. We go away as much as possible even without the Caravan. My knee is knackered now so I make the most of my time. Thanks for sharing your reasons. One of your best videos. Phil🙂👍
Thanks for watching Phil. Yes, a bit of a departure for me making that type of vlog, but it was what I was feeling and the time. I wasn't sure whether to mention Mart and Ian, but they were factors in my difficult decision..
My wife and I both retired at 56 debt free good jobs good pensions we are both 70 now.
We travelled where and when we wanted to. 12 yrs ago Our youngest and family went to Sydney so then we went there for 3 months at a time up until 2019 we came back and I said like you I've had enough of airports and stupid people.
So got a puppy and then a caravan after 50 years of thinking caravans shouldn't be allowed to block the roads we absolutely love it. We bought an older one to try it and learn and this yr bought a newer one to which I've added various things for our comfort. On the back it says discreetly Living the dream and we are. So I get where your coming from totally chum, you take care.
You are so right here Graham. Im 73 retired from contacting at 64 to look after dearly beloved. Lately found caravanning a struggle (not always easy putting awning up on your own). But.........Our kids tell me if you give up caravanning you will be in your grave in 6 months Dad! You mentioned mental health in one of the previous vlog. Chasing sunsets was the order of the day when younger. These days it is good just to sit outside the van and listen to the birdsong.
Thanks for watching. I like nothing more than just sitting outside the caravan. That’s why good sites are important. 👍🏻I think it’s best to keep active whilst you can
Well done Graham, I'm sure you've shone a light into many peoples futures and given us all food for thought.
Hi G , my wife is 10yrs older than me , we don’t have kids so what we have is ours. My wife said she would take early retirement if I stopped working. We got all our finances in order , just like you , nothing on HP unless it’s interest free. We retired 13yrs ago , I was 47, people asked what I would do with my time? My answer is always what I want when I want & not under someone else’s time. It’s been a godsend, my dad had pancreatic cancer so it was in & out of hospital all hours of the day & night & I didn’t need to ask for time off. Obviously he passed away & then my mum took ill. So being retired has worked for us. My brother lives in Canada & he got remarried so we went over for the wedding, like you I found the whole flying thing stressful and a pain in the arse. A motto I kinda live by is “do it now you’re a long time dead”. Enjoy your retirement buddy.
Graham
What you said made perfect sense to me. We’ve just bought our first ever caravan in preparation for my retirement in 2 years, been away twice already in 7 weeks or so and want to go again. Even the recent 55 mph winds in the Lake District didn’t take the shine off. For me, hearing you pretty much explaining my own thought process was profound, if not a bit surreal. You are on the way to be the spiritual ‘van father’.
I admire your honesty Graham my husband took early retirement at 55 you have to enjoy every moment
thanks Graham i am taking early retirement in the next few months aged just 57, we now just want to spend the next few years caravanning and hope to buy a twin axel fixed bed in January, your vloggers have been invaluable in giving great information, thanks again
As Huey Lewis says "We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time".
Peas in a Pod Graham, we’ve made the decision to Retire in 18 months I’ll be 64. I love working in the school but as you say you can’t buy time. Martin passing, Ian becoming unwell and my best friend ( been mates since we were 12) suffered a minor stroke, makes you re evaluate, we’ll raise a glass to Retirement at NEC. Take care.
Hi Graham. You sound like me. I was made redundant by the Local council in 2012 and luckily I am also an entertainer. I realised that employers have no care whatsoever in getting rid of you whenever they want to. There is no loyalty that way.
I took my pensions at 60 (I’m now 62] with the belief that I don’t know how long I have left so I’d rather enjoy it with my wife while we are still physically able to.
I came back to caravanning 2 years ago and bought an excellent 8 year old Swift Conqueror. We love it. I’m registered disabled but I have no issues living the caravan lifestyle. We are away as often as we can doing as much as we can as often as we can. Life really is too short and you are right, you cannot buy time.
Although I live in Carlisle I love doing distances so at the moment I’m in Cornwall with the van then off to Dorset then Somerset before home, last year we did the whole of Scotland. In all I estimate I’ve travelled 8000 miles towing since I got this van in Aug 21 and I don’t intend to stop for a while.
I’m very much into the concept that I’ll find a way to survive so if I am penny less with all pension gone then I’ll find a way, I always have, I’m an optimist.
Thanks for a really great video.
Thanks for watching. Good on you for getting out and about, it really is a great lifestyle, we're away at the moment, squeezing in a few days here and there.
Good video, we're not retired yet but working towards early retirement, another couple of years yet, bummer 🙄
Your head must be in a bit of a chaos and you are kind of hard to follow, but that was Very interesting, and very open and honest. Thank you!!
Thanks for watching, I’m glad you found it interesting. TBH that’s pretty much my normal head space.🤔
Graham you done the right thing and like your thinking hopefully with a long and adventurous life ahead of you and the wife
So many similarities, retired in 2016 @57, with the help of a redundancy and superannuation, we have a Swift 654 here in OZ and are debt free, it's great feeling.
Thanks for sharing it’s one of the main reasons we got a caravan last year life is too short.
Enjoy yourselves. We took the plunge and retired 8years ago. We’ve never regretted it, and have had some great trips away in our caravan. Try and add some structure to your week though, or else you'll never know what day it is 😂
Yes suffering from “what day is it” ATM 😂
Thanks for watching
I retired at 57 in 2017, I'm 65 next April it was a big decision back then to be living on a third of what I used to earn,, luckily we were in a good finacial situation, as you probably know we were MH owners before 2021 when we changed to a caravan, the best thing we ever did, as they say you get to a point in life and remember that you are less time on this earth as you have had so make the most of what time you have 👍
A stop and think video there Graham 🤔. We are in the Autumn of our lives and the older we get the quicker time passes. Good to hear you’ve grabbed life by the horns and listened to your heart…. All our best wishes, Rob & Gail 😀😀
To add to your dilemma I will mention three score and ten, being what the average person is allotted, cosine do better, some do worse, so I am with your reasoning for retirement. I retired at 53 ( which is a bit early) but got the offer and worked for a big company, couldn’t not have it, they were getting rid of all the dead wood (I was dead wood) I bought a new caravan and car 10 years ago and fortunately they are both still going and I am nearly 77 so, it worked for me and I am still going strong all be it that I look a new caravans but can’t afford them so the moral is every day after seventy is a bonus and try and live life to the full going what you enjoy.
Keep up the good work.
Lovely to listen to your vlog. You’ve gone through what we’re just starting to do. Your perspective is invaluable. Keep it up with these great films.
Very interesting, and I concur on several of the points you make about caravanning. I'm 77 now and last year bought a newer ( 5 year old swift) van. I don't know how long I can continue but I still enjoy it.
Great outlook on life - a lot like mine. My wife retired at 55 and me at 61 (I'm 64 now). We have modest incomes but are debt free, owning house, car and caravan. I have no interest in sinking £80-100K into a motorhome - even if I could afford to.
We've taken our van around Europe, including France, southern Spain and Portugal, and towing is incredibly easy there - set cruise to 90kph, get in convoy with some lorries and appreciate the scenery. Then of course we have the car to sightsee. We like to explore areas so move every 4-5 nights, which I think suits caravans better.
When it gets too much we'll sell up. When I hit my 50s and my mid-life crisis I bought a very smart Mercedes two-seater convertible, in which we toured Europe and stayed in apartments and aparthotels. It was quite affordable and we could easily do that again (assuming I could get into the thing 🙂).
Thanks for watching. I like the sound of the Mercedes two-seater convertible :-)
I Cannae believe I'm saying this Graham but you just did a whole vlog, talking complete sense. I couldn't agree with you more. Time is the most precious thing any of us have. Waste it wisely 😆👍
Thanks for watching. Don’t worry I winnae do it agin 🙄🤦
Well I don’t know! Brilliant insight, excellent Vlog. We did more or less the exact same except the Motorhome bit! Would still love one, but I know I have left it too late in life. Fab and thanks for sharing.
An Caravan Vloggers epiphany! I'm years younger than (obvs) 😂 but gets me thinking about my retirement. Thanks 👍
It makes perfect sense..... well done for doing it as many don't. You are right about time. I recently lost my father and he loved caravanning.....
Good reasoning, wecome to the world of the retired, unfortunately wou will find yourslf so busy ,you will wonder how you found the time to work!
My dad told me that 25 years ago
I thought he was mad
But it’s true
Just retired at 58. Luckily had a good pension. I love it. If you can retire early just do it. You won't look back.
Great vlog mate - we went early at 56, escaped the Uk to live in France then flogged ourselves restoring 7 acres of forest/lake/pasture until heart attack at 59 and again at 64 to be honest it didn’t really slow me down (French medical system gives fantastic confidence) but after a lifetime of holidays all over the globe and latterly in India, didn’t feel confident flying - so decided to see more of Europe- helped by living in the middle of France. Having stayed in friends (retirement purchased) motorhome several times and truly not understanding the choice for all the common sense reasons you’ve said we settled on a caravan - we keep our cars a long time, (maintenance is so much cheaper than loans or leasing) the last a merc coupe for 13 years and this a now 10 year old VW Amarok so we already had the perfect tow car - super comfortable and can tow anything, we took the plunge and bought an 8ft wide hobby new from Germany March 22 - two seasons in 10,000km 5 countries and a total of 12 months away we haven’t looked back despite a carotid endactectomy in the middle of it - long post but just to say we watched every one of your vloggs and they contributed enormously to our decision to go for it - so thank you - just enjoy your retirement while you can - we shall
Thank you for being so candid.
Spot ON . Great vlog . Thks for sharing.
😳.... what a brilliant vlog Graham. The wife & l 'escaped' from the Civil Service in our late 50's for many similar reasons & circumstances. Now living the (caravan) dream & loving it!Long may it continue for us all. 😊👍
Excellent Vlog. Your story is very similar to my own. I retired at 59 and lived on my savings until my pensions became available with out taking a financial penalty. Yes we have 35% of what I previously earned, but we have freedom to enjoy our caravan with and hopefully I will live longer than my father did (67) to get the most out of retirement. Perhaps more importantly we can afford to live so it it is not a real hardship.
Van versus motorhome. An easy decision for us. The caravan wins as it allows more freedom, it is cheaper and more flexible for us. I have written to you before and stated that as I age I want the ease of a motorhome when setting up. We have a mover, self levelling and an on board water tank so if it is raining when we arrive on site once un hooked I press buttons to set up the van. We travel with about 15 litres of water in the on board tank so can have a brew once positioned and levelled. The awning is the only major hassle but that is the same as a MH. Yes I paid a lot of money for a top of the range van and paid extra for the "toys" or necessities as I see it, but the convenience will hopefully be worth it and should extend my caravanning life. A motorhome with similar facilities would be costing £150K + and that is too rich for me.
I had my last caravan for 19 years and will hopefully have this new one for 20 years well into my 8th decade so the cost when spread out over 20 years is not too great.
Keep up the good work
Colin
I found myself in the same position as you and I decided to retire early as well. I was fortunate enough to have paid off all my debts/mortgage. This meant that my private pension and savings would be nearly the same as my income when I was working.
It was a no brainer, the only issue now is short breaks. We show dogs so frequently go away for the night and it was too much hassle for the van plus awning etc. The upshot of it all is that we are going to buy a small MH which could tow our caravan so best of both worlds!
I retired in July 2018 @ 51.. got made redundant and I had a final salary pension which they enhanced as if I was 60... Best thing that ever happened to me... Mrs had the same 8 months later. Happy days..
Your video has given me food for thought. I too worked in the city for a Swiss bank for many years and in 2016 they made me and my entire team redundant. I decided to wind down a bit so took a job with another bank going back to being a DBA again and am still doing it although now I work full time from home. My wife had health problems earlier this year so she retired there and then. I'm 65 and plan to retire in September next year but seeing your video is making think I should just retire now and enjoy life while I can.
My wife and I love caravanning as we both hate airports and have been doing it since 2012 in an old Abbey Spectrum 620 which we love. Due to age and health issues we are finding it harder to deal with setting up our full size Isabella awning so we only use it if we are staying somewhere for seven days or more. We use a 260 inflatable porch awning when touring around as it only takes 14 mins to set up and less to take down. We also use fully serviced pitches when available as setting up water and waste is a doddle and no dragging waste masters and aqua rolls around.
We considered a motorhome but like you we prefer the freedom of having the car to get around.
This video prompted an immediate discussion in our household. I have never been orientated towards a motorhome anyway, so it always, has and will be a caravan or some form of trailer for me. Being in Japan, the threshold for needing a towing licence or not is 750kg. Currently, my caravan is an old second-hand one that clears this line. If we are going to upgrade to a more comfortable caravan with more modern fridge, air conditioning (an absolute must in Japan) and the add-ons you mention, then we'd better start preparing for it now. Obtaining a class 2 towing licence in Japan, involves attending driving school and the vehicle is a HGV articulated lorry (I kid you not). A relatively small artic, but an artic nonetheless. So, there's a lot of preparation and costs involved, so we'd better get ourselves in gear.
I'm retired. My advice to anyone, whatever age they are, is this....if you can afford to retire, why keep working? Whoever you work for is making far more money than you. There can't be many people who on their death beds say 'I'm glad I worked as hard as I did for those extra years!'
Hi there
Just watched your vlogg and was stunned ,i fitted the motorhome salesman,s perfect customer ,only one drawback ,saw the cost and just couldnt afford it on my new pension .
However what i could afford was a small 2 berth caravan ,my wife had her car stolen and replaced with a 1500cc Mazda and with my pension lumpsum could afford a 5 year old 2 berth caravan ....so here we are ready for the 2024 season ..thanks for a really honest and helpful vlogg will follow you closely on youtube ,once again thanks
Thanks for watching. Sounds like a perfect set up there. Motorhomes are aspirational, but as you say expensive. I still think a caravan and car is a much better option. They dont have the same image though..
Your such a genuine guy graham, be lucky m8
Deep and meaningful, nice to hear a bit about your background and how decisions are influenced. Life’s too short ! Enjoy every second
I agree with you entirely Graham, great and honest Vlog that makes you think about life going forward !
Very interesting, thanks for that, we've gone through a similar thought process basically to see how we can work as little as possible and holiday as much as possible before we"re too old to do either.
Everyone's situation is different, I might do a vlog on it.
Interesting video, Graham, thanks.
Having tried motorhoming and caravanning, I agree that caravans are an attractive option in retirement for the reasons you mention.
Whatever your age, caravans are a better choice for those who like to stay in one location for at least 4/5 days before moving on, because having the car can be so valuable and you can just wander off and leave the caravan in "nightime mode" if you want to get an early start for a day trip.
Motorhomes are better for the grand tours of mainland Europe, maybe staying 2/3 nights in each location. They are also better if you are wokring full time and want to get away for two nights on the weekend. Maintaining a motorhome (£270 for a oil change?!) and buyng all that diesel is an expensive game for most retirees...
We tow a small 6 metre caravan with an MTPLM of 1300kg. The towcar is capable of towing 1700kg, so the whole towing experience is pretty relaxed. I think all too often people go to close to the towing capacity of their vehicle towing long heavy caravans which, for me at least, is not much fun. Some are fine with the big rigs, but it's not for me...
Guy Lombardo's song has all the answers to your questions. By the way the shoe bomber was Richard Reid.
As I’ve said before Graham, love your honesty and outlook on life generally ,I was fortunate to take enough out of my work pension to contribute to paying off the mortgage so we just have the living bills.
Great video Graham . Life is so precious. I retired this year at 60 ! Yes life style has to change but time stands still for no one . My advice to anyone is retire as soon as you can. I can relate to everything you said . Well done mate .
Thanks for watching congrats on retirement. 🎉
That was a very interesting vlog, and given us plenty to think about, we are currently 52 & 56 so a few years off retirement yet but hope to be in a position to not right up unit 67. We love the caravanning life which we began in 2009 and spent a few year motorhoming, but found it didn't really work for us so have recently gone back to caravanning and don't think there is anything really that would cause us to much problem as we get older, but am sure we will always find a way round it if there is anything that comes up.
Retiring in the caravan is the plan here, selling up and full time caravan touring.. Obviously avoiding the B word here, but considering buy in France, maybe
Hi Graham. Totally agree with what you have said. I'm retired like you simar situation regarding finance pay everything off and enjoy the time you have left. I have had friends and family pass away to soon. I always say you can't buy time or memories. Thanks for sharing 👍
Great vlog Graham. Your story is very similar to mine. I was in IT for more years than IT has been a term. The upside was I earned good money and could build a healthy pension fund. The downside was all the pressure the industry piles on itself. There was a temptation to just keep going, however, I knew of too many friends my age in IT who had died. I’m not saying IT caused them to die, but it does bring mortality home to you and I do wonder how much a part stress paid in their ability to get through whatever caused their untimely and unfair deaths. That’s the morbid bit over! We’ve caravanned for many years as well as the occasional cruise. It was a clear choice for us to continue. I retired a couple of years ago at 59 after 2 years of sitting in an office at home, like many did. Yes, it means cutting our cloth differently, but we have no debts and many of the simple pleasures we get from being away in the caravan are free. I’ve followed your vlogs for quite some time now and your one of the few I always look out for. Keep up the good work and enjoy a life of caravans and tea/coffee shops and get used to your own technology ageing 😂 On a slightly humorous note, I know I’ve settled into retirement now because I managed to fall out of the caravan door and land in a heap just as a couple were walking by 😂 Maybe a vlog on steps is needed 🤔
Excellent vlog Graham. So many similarities with our lives, life is too short to carry on working to 66/67, as long as the finances work out best to leave work and enjoy caravanning. Of our 4 parents only one lived to retirement age and also one of my siblings died aged 42 so it does make you think what you want from life. Hopefully you & Mandy will enjoy many adventures going forward and best of luck with the house move.
Thanks for watching. When you think of it, as you've said there, the amount of people you lose, far to young is shocking. Retiring is a bit of a leap of faith, in that you're not sure how things will pan out. But as we know, time won't wait, so sometimes you just have to make a decision..
Great insight Graham. We are going through the process ourselves. Traded our 5yr old caravan for new one a couple of months ago, in readiness for retirement. Just turning 62, no longer enjoy working, so early in 2024 we will be making the change
Thanks for watching. I planned to retire in Feb (I’m 60 then) but things worked out sooner.
Im sure you won’t regret it 👍🏻
100% agree with you Graham I'm the same age as you I would retire if I could I'm like you live life now you don't know what's around the corner I know to many people who have plans for retirement but they either don't get there or don't have the finances when they do why wait you never know what tomorrow brings enjoy every day tomorrow is not a given
This is a marvellous Vlog once again, so very true life is too short enjoy yourselves, this video has got me really thinking about the future thank you for putting it out and your honesty 😊
Fantastic vlog Graham and well put together. It’s definitely thought provoking. One of my customers retired last year after a lot of years in their profession. 3 weeks later she died. Enjoy your life and your health while you have it. It’s all you can do
I retired two years back at the age of 58. Took a hit on my company pension but really I didn't because basically it's drawn over a longer period. I've had a couple of health scares and thought what the f**k am I doing. Like you said you can't buy time and we rather do things why we can rather than bunk up money for when we're old and wrecked. Had to pull the belt in here and there but you'd be surprised on the amount you spend on crap. Out in the van next week after this rain and living the dream. Most importantly I've no regrets at all in finishing work. 👍
Thought provoking blog Graham. I'm 58 and health wise not good. But you have to live everyday as if its your last.
Never know what's around the corner.
All the best 👍
Thanks for the Video Absolutely squeeze the best out of life enjoy what we have while we have it
Good vlog Graham, Happy Caravanning 👍🏻
Really good vlog Graham. Open and honest. It will be really helpful for those not retired yet but maybe thinking of doing it. One thing you mentioned was paying off loans. Being debt free is very important. As you also mentioned you have to ‘cut your cloth’ and live within your means. Once you you’ve addressed these things you are a long way to being able to enjoy your retirement. I look forward to the continued journey. All the best.
Enjoy your life , Like you said none of us know how long we have or how long we will have good health. I retired at 58 mainly down to covid, I had planned to start a 3 day week but just thought why bother, lets just retire early and enjoy our lives. We got ourselves a caravan and used our current car to tow it, with our house paid for our out goings are very small. I had some solar panels and a battery installed to keep our electric bill low which turned out to be a very wise move. Since retiring I have realised you don't need to spend very much to have an enjoyable life, no I'm never going to buy a Ferrari but I've realised I don't actually want one, I have a cheap classic motorcycle which costs nothing to tax or mot and costs peanuts to maintain .It's a cheap 2nd form of transport if my wife is using the car and is a good hobby for me. Life shouldn't be about material things, just make some good memories in the time we have.
Thoughtful vlog this one, at only 47 I'm unfortunately a few years off of retirement, but I intend to do everything I can to finish work as soon as possible. On the caravan/motorhome point, am I alone in finding it odd to see a motorhome towing a car..........😂
Unfortunately they still require you to remove shoes within all USA airports. Europe, has you say forgot!!
Great video. We are at the same junction in our lives. Everything you said made perfect sense. 👍🏻xx
I wanted to retire at 55 this year. But after calculating how long I can live off my savings if I pay myself 2 to 2500k a month, I realized, nope can't yet. If I retired 20 years ago I would have been set.
All I know is don't wait till 65 to retire. My dad finally retired at 65 was starting to enjoy it, then died 2.5 years later. Pancreatic Cancer, but cancer didn't kill him, incompetent doctors did.
So, what's my chances after 65 is the question I started asking myself.
So I've been watching ba lot of videos on RV'S and planning what's best way to retire. Land is so freaking expensive, here.
So still figuring it out.
Wow a deep vlog this week, but one I can relate to. 6 years ago I took early retirement having had a serious RTA, my fault entirely trying to get home after a week of staying in different hotels. The 40t truck made mincemeat of my car and I was lucky to get out with just cuts and bruises. I loved my job, but knew that day I had to get out aged 60.
Thanks for watching. Wow, we really don’t know what’s coming, literally in your case. Glad you got out with what sounds like minor injuries
Great vlog Graham, really insightful. Ive got my eye on the retirement gig. Nit quite 60 myself and wife a tad younger. Both have decent pensions but the penalty for going too early keeps us working for a little while longer. Like you its about what we can afford once we stop. 👍
Glad to see its all working out.
An awning is a nice to have and not a need to have, so can easily be taken out of the equation. Yer looking at this correctly in my book mate. 👍👍
Very similar circumstances Graham. I even said Oasis song a millisecond before you. I’m not a Southern softy though😂
Has the need for a couple of hours more a day and an extra day a week hit you yet?
Thanks for watching. No, I’m doing ok with the amount of hours in the day ATM 😂
Thank you for the very personal insight, very open and honest. Certainly made us both think about our retirement plans and when the right time might be. We really enjoyed it and hope to bump into you at the Caravan show later this month👍
Thanks for watching. Yes, if you see me please say hello, even if I look “busy”. Im good at looking busy even if I’m actually not 😂
Nice one Graham and congratulations on making it to early retirement… 👏🏻 🐢
Had similar plans working up from 55 - 60 - 65 and all of them actually passed me by, for one reason or another… 🙄 🐍
Too long a story matey! But enjoy your very sensible decision and have a long and happy one sir… ✅ 👍🏻
Thanks for watching Rog👍🏻
Great video. Well said!
Brilliant Vlog 😘
I think you have overwhelming support for your decision,well done. I’m also in a similar position having retired at 58 and love caravanning. Looking forward to some more cheerier vlogs though 😁as for the levelling& aqua roll that’s the other half’s department 😂
Thanks for watching. More cheerful vlogs on the way I’m sure. Just wanted to get that off my chest, so to speak 😄
40 year old whipper snapper bucking the trend over here.
Stick with the Challenger Graham.❤
Does Mandy drive or tow the van? The reason I ask is my good lady once said while we were away ‘Can I tow it home?’ I thought why not and now she loves it and does most of the towing now. Then I thought it makes sense to have two drivers, if I was ill while we were away at least we can get the outfit home. I am 70 now and my wife retires next year so we are hoping to use our van a lot more.
Thanks for watching. Yes she does drive but hasn’t tried towing yet 👍🏻
I think you have all the skills of life coach
The problem with additional money above your state pension you have to pay Tax
Sometimes I can't help but wonder if airports have intentionally been made to be insufferable since 9/11. Always was suspicious of how fast the DarthCheneyCorp Regime was able to whip out their 'Dept. of Home Security Bill' right after 9/11. It was near 4,200 pages long. That took some serious pre-planning IMHO. ~ Anyway, huzzah for remote work because it's the RV life for me.
What was your previous job in IT? Love the stock B roll 😂
Devops engineer
Very similar thoughts to me, I have 2yrs to go though
Well done❤
My younger brother, heavy smoker, liked a drink shall we say, retired early at 58. He chucked smoking, reduced his drinking, and got an allotment. Lost a shed load of weight, healthy tan, dropped dead a week before his 61st birthday with complications from COPD. A wake up call..
Can’t believe the ages also in the comments 😮 wow I hope I can chill younger 😂
This is a funny one for me. I am now 42 and soon will be having a career change as want to see if there is anything better, will be working from home a lot. Everyone always goes well you two are on good money just go and but a new motorhome or whatever. Thing is I don't want to work till I am nearly 70. As man I may get to 75 so why work that hard for a few years. So yes I am tight and try not to spend money. What having no caravan debt, no car debt and only a mortgage left is freedom. Yes still don't spend a lot but if like last month 500 pounds worth of bills happen unforeseen I can cope with that. So if you get a motorhome or whatever it will be below 20K and hope we can keep it working. Still people don't understand as they like debt debt debt. Debt traps you and stops you being free.
Hi, another great vlog, just trying to decide if you’ve cheered me up or as I’ve been retired a few years now, and am a caravanner, do I need to look over my shoulder for that guy in black with the scythe. On second I think I’ll just have a smile and try and hang on till your next vlog.
Thanks for watching. Was a weird vlog to make, it wasn't particularly "up beat" was it, quite different, but interesting to see how it was received..
Hopefully more cheerful subjects from now on :-)
im 55 shortly and about to take my private pension which i have been paying since i was 17,people keep telling me you are too young to retire,but when you lose friends and family it makes you think 'you never know' then there is all this rubbish going on in the uk now,i just keep thinking we should move out of the uk all together and take my money elsewhere
There's no pockets in a scroud ... if you can live your life. !!
shroud I should have said , predictive text changed it , lol