Downsizing our life of stuff was the key piece of the puzzle to enable us to change our lives in retirement and travel the world. We hope today's video gives you inspiration to downsize, declutter and simplify your life. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
About 15yrs. ago, I sold my condo, that for a single man, was way too large. Got rid of a lot of stuff and put the things left (mainly personal items) in storage and traveled almost 2yrs. 4-5 months in each place. When I came back, I went through the storage unit and it was much easier to dispose of things. I hadn't needed or thought about in 2 yrs. Since that time, I have rented furnished studios with short leases and traveled when I wanted. I don't think I will ever buy a home, again. I want to try more places even at a slower pace. The one thorn in my side, is I still have a car. Nice for US places, but, when I go international, I always have to find a place/friend to take care of it. I'm hoping soon to be free of it. Living with less is really living. I'm proud of y'all.
Thanks. Proud of what you have accomplished as well. Hope you are enjoying our channel and website. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
I admire you both so much. As a recent widow I no longer have the option of traveling with my spouse and I can't imagine traveling the world without him; it would only make me miss him more. I love my home but I am learning to let go of our lifetime of collections and possessions. While I can't foresee ever selling my home I do feel great about getting rid of "stuff". I am happy here but I very much enjoy traveling the world with you; I am thankful for your videos as they enrich my life. Thank you for sharing your very interesting lives with the world. 🙂
Thanks for the kind words and so sorry to hear about your husband. So glad you are enjoying our channel and website. Many blessings to you in 2024 and beyond, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Wow , this is such a great video! Hubby and I are both recently retired, we sold our home 6 months ago and put almost everything into storage…we have spent the last 6 months visiting with our children ( our daughters have an in-law suite) and other relatives, volunteering for two months in Mexico and are getting ready for and extended time in the Caribbean…we initially planned this nomadic lifestyle to last just till June of this year but now realize so many of the truths you’ve shared. We aren’t missing our stuff. At all. If and when we ever purchase another house, our desires will be much much more minimalistic… things don’t seem to motivate us anymore but experiences sure do. So we are considering continuing to travel for at least another year or two. The freedom from having to look after all our belongings is huge.. a person doesn’t realize how much time and money and energy is spent on getting and maintaining “stuff”…I feel like a kite in the sky… soaring on the fresh breezes.. retirement has become exhilarating! We want to keep doing life this way for as long as we can ☀️😊
This is so awesome to hear. We love hearing your story and the joy in your words. Stay in touch and perhaps our paths will cross someday. Happy journeys and many blessings, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Nice video! Hello from Greece! 100% agree that less is always more. My husband and I have been slow traveling 9 months now. We have three bags each, its all we own. Absolutely NOTHING was left back home . We don't miss any of that stuff. Happy Travels,
Your step by step journey feels like where my life is going. It’s stressful to go through the process, but a huge relief as each step is completed. 13 years ago after my husband died I sold our house and moved into a condo. Huge weight lifted when I left the house and all the projects behind. Last year after a forced remodel (water damage) I sold the condo. I knew it was in the best shape it would ever be in and the condo market was looking a bit shaky. Next year I retire and I’m finally excepting the fact that I won’t get a storage unit. Doing the math it’s just not financially feasible even if I only travel for 5 years ( I’m hoping for 10 to 15). It’s going to be really hard to let go of the antiques and artwork. I have some friends who have offered to store a couple paintings and some beautiful blown glass. Like your airstream I’m starting in a van where I’ll be able to keep skis, a bike and some clothes. Once my elderly cat passes I’ll have to make a decision on the next step, store the van or sell it to travel the world. Each point of letting go is hard but liberating.
Love your philosophy and completely agree. I am working towards that this year but I’m buying an RV and gonna travel with my two cats. I wanna live deliberately and with a purpose towards doing what I think will make me happy and “stuff” hasn’t given me happiness in a long time. Keep living your best lives
Thanks and enjoy your RV travels. We RV'd for 18 months and saw all 50 states and 51 National Parks. We loved it. We may return to that life at some point as well. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
You two do a great job with all your videos. My wife and I sold everything and moved to Portugal in early 2021. The biggest sticking point was the piano since I compose and play every day. But one day I just decided that gee they have pianos in Europe too. So we bought a keyboard and case that would travel and here we are. I have to say that my wife had been "training" me over several moves to let go of stuff but it does take some time energy and effort. Now we are looking forward to a new home base where another piano may live and where we will continue to explore and travel from. The experiences we have had and the people we have met and developed relationships with are priceless compared to the stuff we left behind. If you are ever in Portugal we are in Tomar and would be happy to host you. Blessings and courage to all those taking the leap.
Great job on your downsizing and glad you are enjoying our channel and website. Thanks for the kind offer and will contact you if ever in the Tomar area. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Thank you for this very informative video. As an 80 year old I’m not up to such adventurous travel but I do love to see interesting places. My husband and I have been in our home in Canada for over 50 years and I love all the changes we’ve made to it. The area we live in has changed over the years as you can well imagine but I love the close proximity to shops and restaurants (I don’t do a lot of cooking although I’m getting better thanks to RUclips videos.) My husband and daughter have been trying to get me to think about moving and do more travelling. I’m very sentimental towards family items and it’s just lately that I’ve begun to think I could I could downsize and what that would entail. Your video has been so helpful in that respect and I’m going to keep replaying it to build up my courage. Thank you so much. Safe travels!
A whole week to decide? LOL I just asked my husband to watch this with me. It’s truly remarkable the similarities in our stories. This year we’ve decided to RV Baja and Alaska sandwiched around our daughter’s wedding, but then we’re off to central and South America. It’s been nearly 4 years of nomadic living. While a much smaller house will be part of our future, there is no end in sight for now!
Thanks for sharing and love your stories. Nomadic travel has a way of changing you. It certainly has us. Enjoy your RV travels, Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
I enjoy watching your videos! My husband and I are learning so much about world travel through your experiences. Thank you 🙏🏾 I have just under two years before I can retire and I can’t tell you how inspiring you are! In preparation for my retirement and our move to Canada (my husband is a citizen and moved to the US so I can finish out my career in public service) we’ve sold our house and downsized to what we refer to it as, out “teeny tiny” 1 bedroom apartment. We got rid of so many things and are less burdened with stuff. Our travel plans are to be snowbirds for 3-4 months then bounce around Canada, US, and wherever else in the world for shorter trips. We love sports so we have plenty games we want to attend. We also love nature, performing arts and are have established our bucket list! We are going to rent an apartment for the rest of our days. We aim for a portable lifestyle in such that we don’t have to worry about home maintenance and will choose a place where we can age in place. We’re excited and you have definitely given us insightful tips and tricks for a smoother traveling experience 💓
Congrats on your upcoming retirement and downsizing. A portable lifestyle is wonderful in our opinion. Happy journeys and many blessings, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
I HAVE SO MANY THINGS I WANT TO SAY!! Every video just makes me love you both more. You're so good at this and deliver your fantastic message so well. And I love seeing people my age on RUclips. I've been binging your videos from the beginning and now I want to start my retirement travel hauling an Airstream around the country. I WOULD love to see all the national parks. I am curious if you see many retired solo women traveling full time. The older I get, the more of a scared little old lady I'm becoming. lol And seeing more of my kind would definitely give me the shot of courage to get out and do on my own what you two are doing together.
Thanks for the kind words and you can definitely do it. We have met many solo travelers around the world. We don't remember many RVing, but certainly can be done. We loved our time seeing all the states and National Parks. Please stay in touch and perhaps our paths will cross someday. We will be cheering for your successful travels. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Laura, you’re not alone. I am a senior solo female, just sold my home along with all earthly belongings (had that scared little old lady feeling a few times myself!) but now am ready to embark on my new, nomadic lifestyle next week. It’s scary, for sure, but being anchored to all the things I’ve accumulated over the years was draining my life force. I want the last third of my precious time here on earth exploring other cultures, connecting with the natural world more, and attaining a higher consciousness.
@@lindariskus5713 Thank you so much for this comment, Linda. Your adventure sounds bold and exciting and I will definitely keep you in mind when my feet start to get cold. Here's to precious time and higher consciousness!
Hi Laura, I am a middle age gay man who lives in California, so I am not qualified to give u advice of any kind. But I recently just found out about a lady, Betty Reid Siskin, who becomes a national park ranger at the age 85, and is now 101 and still working. So, u r not a sacred old lady, unless u let urself be..🤗. All the best.
@@PK-nb9ph There is no qualification for kindness. Thank you so much for leaving this comment. I LOVE Betty and this is an excellent reminder of what's possible out there. I really appreciate you taking the time to send this lovely message and support. I'm surprisingly cynical and you and Linda are wonderful reminders that there is so much good and so many good people out there. ❤
Thank you for sharing this. Its quite personal and really none of our business…but it is also really fascinating. I cant imagine how freeing a life without stuff must be. Your story is very inspiring!
My husband and I want to know how you handle it when you need a little "space" away from each other when you are traveling. Thanks for keeping us all inspired and teaching us how to travel well!
Thanks for following along with us. We honestly don't ever feel the need for space. We love what we are doing together with travel and our business. John (early bird) usually goes for morning runs alone and Bev stays up late (night owl), so there is some natural time along each day. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Love this video. I am currently reading a book titled “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning”. I just do not know how to get my husband on board with it completely. He only goes so far and cannot go further. I already have my tiny house (399 Sq. Ft.) picked out but he gets claustrophobic just looking at it! Oh well, you guys are great to do what you did, not only for yourselves but for your children.
Thanks so much. We did a video awhile back about this topic. Our kids are excited about having everything taken care of. We can concentrate on just living a great life. Good luck with your downsizing and have your husband watch some of our videos. 😉❤️ Happy journeys, John and Bev ruclips.net/video/HUziCEX2LUQ/видео.htmlsi=6sF-iyRShD14whhG
Also our motto: Experience not things❣ Debt free but still have our home. Death cleaning so our kids don’t have to do clean and sort like I did for my parents….didn’t pair well with mourning. I applaud you two and hope to convince my hubs with an upcoming three week trip to Scotland and Ireland. Best wishes on your travels🥰
Great motto. We feel very liberated. Enjoy your trip to Scotland and Ireland and be sure to watch our vlogs from those places if you haven't already. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
All of your videos are informative but this one hit home like no other. Thank you!! both so much for putting into words what I have been trying to conceptualize in my mind for the past several years. My wife and I have been moving towards a nomadic lifestyle after retirement (coming very soon) and have been discussing how to deal with "our stuff". Emotional attachments are difficult but it never occurred to me to consider how our stuff would affect our kids after we have passed. We downsized to a smaller home 5 years ago and culled our stuff for the first time but many items remain due to emotions. With your insight, we hope to take the next step. Happy traveling!!
Goes to show not only did you raise your children well, but also what wonderful parents you are to have several of your children willingly invite you to live with them for as long as you want.
I keep watching your vids to keep me on the downsizing track. Sold the 1/2 acre 3,000 Sw ft home. That in itself was a major declutter of 25 yrs of stuff. The light really turned on when I carefully put all the baby thru college stuff I stowed away in the cedar chest just to watch my daughter go “Wow you saved this?” Then promptly dropped in my trash bin telling me she had no interest or place in her home for it. I was crestfallen and shocked. I drag that stuff around for 30 yrs of her life. Ditto with my son.
I've been following you for a while now because my husband and I plan to sell everything and travel full-time next year. We are part-time travelers now, mostly in the U.S. This video was super helpful to me, especially hearing just how long it takes to get rid of stuff. Even though we have 10 months (with lots of travel planned) before we begin, I've started the process based on your advice. And you are so right! It is hard for all the reasons! Thank you for doing this series and sharing your experiences. You are truly achieving what you set out to do!
Thank you for sharing. As we think about our retirement in 7 years, we plan to travel a lot. At this point we are thinking we want to maintain a home base, maybe our current small home or downsize further to a townhome with less maintenance. We know a couple in their mid-60's who recently built a 5,000 sq. ft. home on 60 acres. They have said how much they are tied down to their property and don't travel much and don't even do other things locally like go for a hike. Thank you for sharing such a personal part of your lives! Travel safe and hopefully we get to meet when you travel around the U.S.
Thanks for following along with us and would love to meet someday. We love our portable lifestyle. Good luck with your retirement planning and many blessings in the coming years. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Thanks so much. We are excited. It has been quite a journey in so many ways. We have worked so hard the past 4 years creating videos, but hopefully people are finding value with our content. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com
Thanks so much for the kind words and following along with us on our adventure. Happy journeys and many blessings. John and Bev ruclips.net/video/zMfqDyu7jUc/видео.htmlsi=TR6gtM2ZuLZ-UQi_
Agree totally! The more I travel and for longer periods of time I realise that you can live quite happily with minimal stuff!Your videos are so inspiring
Love the video! When thinking of buying a vehicle - look into car sharing or car co-ops in the areas your children live. These are a great way to have access to a vehicle when you need one, but you don’t have to fully commit. Thank you for all of your inspiration!
We retired at the end of 2021 with the plan to "snowbird" between our two homes. We quickly realized that it was just more than we wanted to maintain so we sold the mountain home, kept the smaller townhome (low maintenance and a good location). We'll travel 8-10 weeks this year. It's so good to "come home" to rest, regroup, relax between trips. Do you miss that? Enjoy your channel, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing. We don't miss our home, but do miss our kids and family. When we are back in the states it is good to "come home", we just do that at our children's homes now. We love nomadic grandparenting. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
What an inspiration you 2 are!! Thank you for these wonderful, informative videos! I love your advice to start with getting rid of the things behind closed doors- the closet, garage, basement & attic… the places we rarely see and go into! That’s what I’m gonna do!!! Yay!! 😀
Great video as always! I sold my house and car two years ago and donated most of my things. I kept enough things that I needed to get a small storage unit. I'm starting to see that my decision to have a storage unit was a mistake. It's become costly and every time I go back I end up getting rid of a few more things. But this next time I go back I'm finally going to make the tough decisions and get rid of almost everything...and move out of the storage unit. The very small amount of things I may have left over I will keep with family. It won't be so much of a burden on them as what I have now would be. Thank you for sharing your process and especially how you dealt with the sentimental items. BTW, I just missed you when I was in Sri Lanka. Looks like you loved it there. I did as well and have added it to my list of favorite countries! Safe travels!
What a fabulous video and you in turn help others make amazing choices to focus on living and not materialism. Exceptional work just living life! We live a pretty minimal life ( and lots of travel) and just cleared two of our parents homes after they died and that process was a nightmare and very challenging….What a gift to your family. We will never do that to our kids. I’m glad you are spreading your beautiful message on a life without stuff. I hope you visit Nepal one day, that is what transformed the way we live after trekking in Nepal in our 20’s and returning 4 x’s.
Thanks for the kind words and sharing your story. Nepal is definitely on our list, we just haven't made it yet. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
B Class Van might be the answer. Something to live in while you travel ? We married in 2016 & I downsized from a 2426 SqFt home ( 4 bdr, 3 bth, 10 closets) to his 2624 sq,ft home. (All my belongings fit in his 2 guest rooms) We currently are traveling in our 33 FBQ Classic Airstream with our two pups. We've covered 33 states in the first year & will complete the lower 48 this year. Will be sharing your channel with him for inspiration. LOVE YOUR CHANNEL ! Safe travels, Wanda in Charleston SC
What a great video! These are the things that keep me awake at night. I have so many emotional attachments to things, I’m dreading this next step. I agree experiences are much more important than things., but downsizing is tough. Along with not seeing family for long periods of time and worrying something might happen when we’re far away. Thanks for sharing your experiences with these issues. Safe travels!
Thanks so much. We faced the same issues, but so happy with the way things turned out. Thanks for following along. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com
Great tips. We are trying to get to this point, we are not quite there with our pensions yet. Hoping we can figure out a travel budget to make it happen sooner. Cheers Chris and Jim!
I love the way you guys travel. This is also how I want mine to be when I retire 5 yrs from now. I am also a minimalist and I’m single, so when I’m ready, I think it will be easy and fast once I sell my house. I don’t feel attached to anything that I owned. Happy traveling!
Aww, what a great channel. ❤ Thanks for keeping the energy ✨️ up (the world needs as much as happy people as possible) 🤗. I love what you're doing. Thanks for sharing. 🙏
I’m not yet at retirement age. I’m just entering the season where I need to help care for my aging parents as well as older kids (one high schooler and one college). Traveling both abroad and road tripping, especially to national parks and nature areas is something I desire more of in life. It’s neat to see you doing it. Definitely love that you felt with your stuff and don’t leave it for the kids to sort out. Although I would’ve loved to hear more specific stories- like what items did you decide to pass on to your grandkids, what did you do with specific family heirlooms that were your parents or grandparents are even great grandparents. And what were the most expensive items that you had to sell or get rid of, you alluded to that stuff, but it would be nice to hear a few specifics. And how do you stay in touch with, good friends from the past as you travel.
Thanks for the suggestions. Most everything of higher value went to one of our children or sold. We stay in touch with family and friends with texting, email, face time and our social media channels, along with our 2 long visits in the US each year. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Great video. You really explained/shared what’s important. Truly you are blessed to have a big and good health and of course each other. I’ve been working on downsizing and recovering health to do similar to you. It was helpful to hear about the sentimental items. Thank you. Happy trails
My husband and I have done the same as you have done a few years ago....1 of the best decisions we have ever made. No regrets. We really enjoyed your part about the grandkids. Great insight. We love all your videos. Thank you ❤ Keep on traveling 🌏✈️👣
Great job and thanks for following along with us. Glad you are enjoying our channel and website. Happy journeys and many blessings, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Definitely some ideas to think about. Not quite the full nomad yet, but traveling a lot and enjoying it. Even though I am planning on keeping my home base, I decided to downsize and get rid of things. Love your videos.
This is a great video and is very apropos for me, as I just finished decluttering and am about ready to sell my house! Of course I am nervous and the process has taken a while and has been emotionally difficult at times, but once I am rid of the item, I usually do not miss it! It just takes a little extra work, but the future is brighter because of it! I also loved John's comment about traveling until you get to the assisted living facility! I hope that you both remain healthy for a long time and can do just that!
Love this. I’ve been travelling full time for over months now, mostly southern England because my job is here, but I’m working towards launching my own business to allow me to travel full time. I have a storage unit and it’s time to declutter. Not sure I can whittle down to no storage unit, but maybe a fridge sized space!
Am i close to retirement? No. Do i love your channel? Yes! I have travelled a lot before I got married and had kids (we're just about to take our kids to Europe for a few weeks), but my husband and I are inspired to travel when we retire.
Totally agree with all you said. Material things are a burden, and getting rid of as much as possible as soon as possible is definitely the best choice not only for you yourself but also for your kids. And it makes it even more easy for them (or any other survivors) if you do everthing else in advance as much as possible - last will, funeral arrangements etc. We have even already booked/paid a tree in a forest cemetry, together with some siblings we'll be one day all under the same tree ... About your future plans, well: Going to live for some while with the kids and watching over the grand kids instead of having kids coming once in a while over to your place isn't such uncommon as you might think. In fact I know quite a few Indian grandparents who go regularly for half a year or so to their kids abroad (means usually USA or somewhere in Europe or Australia) and watch over the grandkids there. When they come back, the in-law grandies do the same, so there is always care for the grand kids there. This seems to be a very common and very well functioning habit of many Indian grandparents with kids overseas, so why not try it in your case, too... About your further travel plans in the Northern Americas, I'm just thinking - does it really make sense to have any 'normal' vehicle? Or would an RV be the better (=more practical) option, even better than another Airstream?
Thanks for sharing some great ideas and we are certainly looking at all of our options for future US travel and living arrangements. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
This is truly an inspirational story. Thank you so much for sharing all your adventures and personal experiences. You both are a gift to so many. I pray constantly for your safe and happy travels.
Wonderful, thanks for sharing, the only thing I won't do that you've done John, is a "bungee jump" I see no good reason to step off a perfectly good solid platform with an elastic band attached to my legs😅. During our lives we all seem to fall for the "stuff collection", better off using the keep-it-simple principle, its very liberating, and saves the family a deal of bother. Enjoy your travels J&B.
We like the simplicity of our lives now and actually love NOT having stuff. Thanks for following along with us. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
I loved this!!! What a great video! My house is on the market right now so I can travel like a crazy person. My plan is to move into my son’s house and make an in law suite in the basement, bringing just what I need and nothing more. The plan is to pay off his house and in return, stay with them for no cost so that I have a place to go between trips and when I am older and can’t travel anymore. I’m taking my grandson to SEA for the summer and he is soooo excited. He’s never been on a plane before, so how thrilling is that? Thanks for this wonderful video and all your great advice.❤
Very helpful video ! Have a few questions : 1. At what age did you both retire ? 2. How many years after retirement did you start the world travel ? 3. How many months in a year are you NOT traveling ? Thank you for inspiring us all !
Welcome to the channel! 🤣 We've answered these over the years, but we'll catch you up. John retired at age 55, and Bev was a homemaker raising five kids. We wanted to travel after retirement, and when Covid happened, we bought an Airstream and spent the next two years living our lives outside at the 51 national parks in the USA. We left near the end of 2021 to travel abroad. We generally travel four months and then go home for two, but this summer we're home for three. We have eight grandchildren we want to spend more time with and also spend time with our moms this summer. We love our lives and we hope you'll continue to watch! John & Bev www.retirementtravelers.com
Really enjoyed the video! The information you provided is so valuable for those thinking about the Nomadic lifestyle in retirement! Looking forward to your Sri Lanka video as we we are traveling there in Jan-25.
You are so welcome! It is our pleasure. Thanks for subscribing and following along with us. Happy journeys and many blessings, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Perfect timing for my husband & I. We arent travelers like you but do 2 lengthy trips a year, and love coming home as much as we do travel but still want to get rid of the "stuff". Did you do yard sales for those "expensive" items Bev or did you just donate it all and call it a day? Love the do 1 space at a time. We will attempt a little bit of the "stuff" removal and a little bit of the document prep and should be able to make great progress. Thanks again for sharing, your experience. Stay safe & Warm Hugs!
2 lengthy trips a year is awesome. Great job on the downsizing. We gave stuff to our children, had a big yard sale, and donated the rest. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Yes, yes, yes...yes it was difficult; yes you made the right decision; yes your eternal travel now while you physically can. You've given us incentive to do this...or a facsimile thereof.
Thanks so much for following along with us on this journey. We do hope to inspire others to think differently in their retirement years. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Love the reference to the "Karate Kid" movie. So true. It really is a gift. Maybe when you are back spending more time in US and Canada, we will see you down the road! - Michelle
I’m going through this right now, getting rid of stuff, questioning by others etc. I’m actually finding it difficult to find people who will take my stuff for free. it’s a bit different for me because I never married or had any kids, so no one to fall back to. I will get a small storage unit, as part of my strategy to establish a tax domicile in another state.
Good luck with your downsizing process. We know it is tough, but hopefully it opens up new opportunities for you. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
I’m also a lifelong happy single with no kids and live out in the country, so even offering nice free stuff isn’t an incentive for people to drive out here to pick it up. 🙄 BUT once I get the last of it ready, Habitat for Humanity is going to send out a crew and a big truck, driving an hour to get it all! I’ve loved them since the 80s and done a few volunteer things with them, and feel great about what they can make off selling it in their store. If you have a Habitat or a church thrift store or similar you like, maybe a domestic abuse shelter or a Ronald McDonald house, they might be able to use what you have and arrange to pick it up! Good luck on your project! ❤
Great video guys. We are going through our stuff and we have started with things that are of value to others and offering those for sale online. And we are also putting together boxes and lists for donations.
I like you have been on that global journey. Now in the Philippines for a while as they have over 7000 islands. may take me a while to check them all out. Good work on the channel keep it up I enjoy it!
Enjoyed your video. Five kids and eight grandchildren? That's great. But assisted living? Not a bad idea if you don't plan on living long. We own an assisted living facility. Have you checked the rates? For two, prices can range over $150,000 and more per year. Living with children and hiring a caregiver will save you tons.
Artwork was something our children didn’t mind taking. I think paintings were something that they grew up with in our home and felt a connection to. John & Bev
Wow!!! ❤❤❤ This might be my most FAVORITE RUclips video ever! You guys nailed it. We have a similar dream and are working on downsizing now. Wishing you guys all the best ❤
Our pleasure! Thanks for the kind words and best of luck with your downsizing journey. We are cheering for you. ❤️ Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
After working the numbers, we might be able to keep our (modest) house BUT then we realized the freedom of downsizing is really a key element of the dream. I loved what Bev said about your previous desires for a luxury home and how that has changed. I had the epiphany in my later years that prioritizing comfort over adventure would probably leave me with regrets in my old age ❤
So happy to have found you! Your advice is so reasonable and very much appreciated. Do you have a video addressing how you cover your health care needs? Not just medical, but dental and optometry?
Thanks for the video. I have 45 more work days ahead. I have to start cleaning and clearing the house to sell it as well as the other value items. I do have mixed emotions, going down to social security and a small pension to live on. Moving to a country where the cost of living is easier.
You got this! Congrats on retirement. Lots of good low cost options out there. We will be cheering for you. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Thanks so much from MN. We have great memories of paddling in Voyageurs National Park a few years ago. Thanks for subscribing and following along with us. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Love your video guys, glad you are able to travel full time and making lifelong memories. I have a question, is YT a byproduct of your desire to travel and experience the world or you are traveling because of your YT and online business?
Some of each. We had always wanted to travel the world some in retirement. We thought why not try to monetize some of our travels with YT, and actually it has taken on a life of its own. We have enjoyed creating content and inspiring people along the way. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Love your work. I backpacked for 6 months in my early 30s and by about month 5, I was beginning to get over it and wanted to get home. Every day of travel was beginning to be like work. How do you stay enthused month after month without the comforts (and rest) of a permanent home??
It's kind of like getting a second wind; starting off everything was exciting and overly stimulating. Then, we settled in and began to realize that this is our life and we can't go, go, go everyday. We really love living our lives moving around. The only struggles we have is that we don't have all the time in the world. We want to sit and write more, and we struggle with that when there are so many place to go and see. We don't miss a permanent home, though. John & Bev
Another great video! Sometime, I would love to see a video on how you deal with loneliness. I know you meet many people in your travels, have followers and have family all over, but was it hard to pull yourself away from your community, not to mention the workplace you retired from? You both seem very extroverted, which certainly helps.
Loneliness is never something we encounter. This week, we had dinner with a couple from South Carolina, we had breakfast with a couple from Delaware, and we've visited with another woman in the lounge twice in the hotel. We met up with our brother and SIL in Singapore for dinner when we ended up at the same airport. We've had a couple of facetime chats with our daughters this week and Bev just got off a video chat that lasted well over and hour with her mom. We counted up and we've texted with 11 different family members this week. We've been in touch with a couple of other RUclips channels who we count as close friends. We've had several Uber drivers who drove us for hours and random people who we've struck up a conversation with while out and about. We just aren't lonely and we don't feel that we are missing a community. We have one, it's just not the same as the one we had before traveling, but it's still a community. Plus, the icing on the cake is all of you who comment! So, thanks! John & Bev
We leave in a few months but will rent the house out. The car thing is interesting as we will return home periodically so I have done a deal with my daughter to buy her old ish Toyota that just keeps going as a runabout when we are here, hire cars are so expensive
It would be great to see a video on how to address traveling with medical needs: Medications Prescription refills Doctor's appointments Travel medical insurance There are so many who want to travel and contend with managing healthcare.
Great suggestion. It will all be part of Travel School. We've mentioned in a number of videos that we buy all of prescriptions overseas and save a bunch of money (no prescription needed) We have bought in Panama, Colombia, Philippines and India. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
I really enjoy your videos. I do have a question regarding paying US Taxes, medical insurance, and if you don't have a "home" where do you stay when you are stateside? do you use a family members address to maintain a presence in the US? How does that work?
We use a mail service called MyRVmail (link is in the description). It provides an address in Florida we use as our residential address. Many RV'ers use this type of service. Unfortunately, we still have to pay US Federal Taxes 🤣 and have medical insurance in the US. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
What about visiting or spending time with your elderly mothers? I think you have said in previous videos that they're both still living. Don't they need you sometimes for help with medical appointments or an occasional unforeseen problem? This might be too personal to talk about, but I'm curious how you are handling this because this is one of my issues with not wanting to be gone on a faraway trip much of the time.
This is certainly something that weighs heavily on our minds. We think it would have been harder if we lived in the same town as our extended family when we started our journey. We have siblings that help when our moms are in need, and we are grateful our moms and families have encouraged us to travel. Still, we'd like to spend more time with them. This summer, we are planning three months back home for a break just so we can visit longer and over the next few years, we hope to be present more as we add US travels to our schedule. Thanks for asking! John & Bev
Great job. Your journey through these years must have some incredible experiences and memories. As you use your hotel points to stay around the world 🌎... Have you heard about those B.O.G.O. sales IHG has?
I love this idea, but I don't like the idea of imposing on friends and family while in the US and the cost of staying in the US if not being hosted is out of reach for me. The fact that I am a US citizen keeps this out of reach for me. So glad you have the resources though. More power to you!
We are really blessed that our family and friends don't consider it imposing and have invited us to stay. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
Someone once told me "you spend the first half of your life accumulating stuff, and the second half getting rid of it". When my parents died, I chose to keep only a few small family heirlooms I can carry with me and sell or donate the rest. It's time for someone else to enjoy those things. At the end of the day, it's just stuff. If my home burned to the ground and I lost everything, I'd get by.
Well stated and thanks for sharing. It truly has changed our life when we were able to let go. Thanks for subscribing and following along with us. Happy journeys, John and Bev retirementtravelers.com/
International travel teaches that there are so many different ways to be happy, and in much of the world, being happy is not about stuff. Cruising sailors, likewise, learn how much life can be crammed into a 35-foot seaworthy sailboat, because it is the places you go and the people you meet.
Downsizing our life of stuff was the key piece of the puzzle to enable us to change our lives in retirement and travel the world. We hope today's video gives you inspiration to downsize, declutter and simplify your life.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
About 15yrs. ago, I sold my condo, that for a single man, was way too large. Got rid of a lot of stuff and put the things left (mainly personal items) in storage and traveled almost 2yrs. 4-5 months in each place. When I came back, I went through the storage unit and it was much easier to dispose of things. I hadn't needed or thought about in 2 yrs. Since that time, I have rented furnished studios with short leases and traveled when I wanted. I don't think I will ever buy a home, again. I want to try more places even at a slower pace. The one thorn in my side, is I still have a car. Nice for US places, but, when I go international, I always have to find a place/friend to take care of it. I'm hoping soon to be free of it. Living with less is really living. I'm proud of y'all.
Thanks. Proud of what you have accomplished as well. Hope you are enjoying our channel and website.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I admire you both so much. As a recent widow I no longer have the option of traveling with my spouse and I can't imagine traveling the world without him; it would only make me miss him more. I love my home but I am learning to let go of our lifetime of collections and possessions. While I can't foresee ever selling my home I do feel great about getting rid of "stuff". I am happy here but I very much enjoy traveling the world with you; I am thankful for your videos as they enrich my life. Thank you for sharing your very interesting lives with the world. 🙂
Thanks for the kind words and so sorry to hear about your husband. So glad you are enjoying our channel and website.
Many blessings to you in 2024 and beyond,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Wow , this is such a great video! Hubby and I are both recently retired, we sold our home 6 months ago and put almost everything into storage…we have spent the last 6 months visiting with our children ( our daughters have an in-law suite) and other relatives, volunteering for two months in Mexico and are getting ready for and extended time in the Caribbean…we initially planned this nomadic lifestyle to last just till June of this year but now realize so many of the truths you’ve shared. We aren’t missing our stuff. At all. If and when we ever purchase another house, our desires will be much much more minimalistic… things don’t seem to motivate us anymore but experiences sure do. So we are considering continuing to travel for at least another year or two. The freedom from having to look after all our belongings is huge.. a person doesn’t realize how much time and money and energy is spent on getting and maintaining “stuff”…I feel like a kite in the sky… soaring on the fresh breezes.. retirement has become exhilarating! We want to keep doing life this way for as long as we can ☀️😊
This is so awesome to hear. We love hearing your story and the joy in your words. Stay in touch and perhaps our paths will cross someday.
Happy journeys and many blessings,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Nice video! Hello from Greece! 100% agree that less is always more. My husband and I have been slow traveling 9 months now. We have three bags each, its all we own. Absolutely NOTHING was left back home . We don't miss any of that stuff. Happy Travels,
Thanks for sharing!! That's awesome to hear. Greece is so beautiful. Enjoy.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Your step by step journey feels like where my life is going. It’s stressful to go through the process, but a huge relief as each step is completed.
13 years ago after my husband died I sold our house and moved into a condo. Huge weight lifted when I left the house and all the projects behind.
Last year after a forced remodel (water damage) I sold the condo. I knew it was in the best shape it would ever be in and the condo market was looking a bit shaky.
Next year I retire and I’m finally excepting the fact that I won’t get a storage unit. Doing the math it’s just not financially feasible even if I only travel for 5 years ( I’m hoping for 10 to 15). It’s going to be really hard to let go of the antiques and artwork. I have some friends who have offered to store a couple paintings and some beautiful blown glass.
Like your airstream I’m starting in a van where I’ll be able to keep skis, a bike and some clothes.
Once my elderly cat passes I’ll have to make a decision on the next step, store the van or sell it to travel the world.
Each point of letting go is hard but liberating.
Thanks for sharing and we will be cheering for you. As you said, tough but liberating.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Love your philosophy and completely agree. I am working towards that this year but I’m buying an RV and gonna travel with my two cats. I wanna live deliberately and with a purpose towards doing what I think will make me happy and “stuff” hasn’t given me happiness in a long time. Keep living your best lives
Thanks and enjoy your RV travels. We RV'd for 18 months and saw all 50 states and 51 National Parks. We loved it. We may return to that life at some point as well.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
You two do a great job with all your videos. My wife and I sold everything and moved to Portugal in early 2021. The biggest sticking point was the piano since I compose and play every day. But one day I just decided that gee they have pianos in Europe too. So we bought a keyboard and case that would travel and here we are. I have to say that my wife had been "training" me over several moves to let go of stuff but it does take some time energy and effort. Now we are looking forward to a new home base where another piano may live and where we will continue to explore and travel from. The experiences we have had and the people we have met and developed relationships with are priceless compared to the stuff we left behind. If you are ever in Portugal we are in Tomar and would be happy to host you.
Blessings and courage to all those taking the leap.
Great job on your downsizing and glad you are enjoying our channel and website. Thanks for the kind offer and will contact you if ever in the Tomar area.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Thank you for this very informative video. As an 80 year old I’m not up to such adventurous travel but I do love to see interesting places. My husband and I have been in our home in Canada for over 50 years and I love all the changes we’ve made to it. The area we live in has changed over the years as you can well imagine but I love the close proximity to shops and restaurants (I don’t do a lot of cooking although I’m getting better thanks to RUclips videos.) My husband and daughter have been trying to get me to think about moving and do more travelling. I’m very sentimental towards family items and it’s just lately that I’ve begun to think I could I could downsize and what that would entail. Your video has been so helpful in that respect and I’m going to keep replaying it to build up my courage. Thank you so much. Safe travels!
Thanks for sharing your story and glad our video was helpful.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
A whole week to decide? LOL I just asked my husband to watch this with me. It’s truly remarkable the similarities in our stories. This year we’ve decided to RV Baja and Alaska sandwiched around our daughter’s wedding, but then we’re off to central and South America. It’s been nearly 4 years of nomadic living. While a much smaller house will be part of our future, there is no end in sight for now!
Thanks for sharing and love your stories. Nomadic travel has a way of changing you. It certainly has us. Enjoy your RV travels,
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I enjoy watching your videos! My husband and I are learning so much about world travel through your experiences. Thank you 🙏🏾
I have just under two years before I can retire and I can’t tell you how inspiring you are! In preparation for my retirement and our move to Canada (my husband is a citizen and moved to the US so I can finish out my career in public service) we’ve sold our house and downsized to what we refer to it as, out “teeny tiny” 1 bedroom apartment. We got rid of so many things and are less burdened with stuff.
Our travel plans are to be snowbirds for 3-4 months then bounce around Canada, US, and wherever else in the world for shorter trips. We love sports so we have plenty games we want to attend. We also love nature, performing arts and are have established our bucket list!
We are going to rent an apartment for the rest of our days. We aim for a portable lifestyle in such that we don’t have to worry about home maintenance and will choose a place where we can age in place.
We’re excited and you have definitely given us insightful tips and tricks for a smoother traveling experience 💓
Congrats on your upcoming retirement and downsizing. A portable lifestyle is wonderful in our opinion.
Happy journeys and many blessings,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I HAVE SO MANY THINGS I WANT TO SAY!! Every video just makes me love you both more. You're so good at this and deliver your fantastic message so well. And I love seeing people my age on RUclips.
I've been binging your videos from the beginning and now I want to start my retirement travel hauling an Airstream around the country. I WOULD love to see all the national parks.
I am curious if you see many retired solo women traveling full time. The older I get, the more of a scared little old lady I'm becoming. lol And seeing more of my kind would definitely give me the shot of courage to get out and do on my own what you two are doing together.
Thanks for the kind words and you can definitely do it. We have met many solo travelers around the world. We don't remember many RVing, but certainly can be done. We loved our time seeing all the states and National Parks. Please stay in touch and perhaps our paths will cross someday. We will be cheering for your successful travels.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Laura, you’re not alone. I am a senior solo female, just sold my home along with all earthly belongings (had that scared little old lady feeling a few times myself!) but now am ready to embark on my new, nomadic lifestyle next week.
It’s scary, for sure, but being anchored to all the things I’ve accumulated over the years was draining my life force. I want the last third of my precious time here on earth exploring other cultures, connecting with the natural world more, and attaining a higher consciousness.
@@lindariskus5713 Thank you so much for this comment, Linda. Your adventure sounds bold and exciting and I will definitely keep you in mind when my feet start to get cold. Here's to precious time and higher consciousness!
Hi Laura, I am a middle age gay man who lives in California, so I am not qualified to give u advice of any kind. But I recently just found out about a lady, Betty Reid Siskin, who becomes a national park ranger at the age 85, and is now 101 and still working. So, u r not a sacred old lady, unless u let urself be..🤗. All the best.
@@PK-nb9ph There is no qualification for kindness. Thank you so much for leaving this comment. I LOVE Betty and this is an excellent reminder of what's possible out there. I really appreciate you taking the time to send this lovely message and support. I'm surprisingly cynical and you and Linda are wonderful reminders that there is so much good and so many good people out there. ❤
Thank you for sharing this. Its quite personal and really none of our business…but it is also really fascinating. I cant imagine how freeing a life without stuff must be. Your story is very inspiring!
You are so welcome! Thanks for subscribing and following along with us.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
My husband and I want to know how you handle it when you need a little "space" away from each other when you are traveling. Thanks for keeping us all inspired and teaching us how to travel well!
Thanks for following along with us. We honestly don't ever feel the need for space. We love what we are doing together with travel and our business. John (early bird) usually goes for morning runs alone and Bev stays up late (night owl), so there is some natural time along each day.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
This hit me deeply! 😢 I’m so happy for you two! #Goals!
That's great and thanks so much for subscribing and following along with us.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Love this video. I am currently reading a book titled “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning”. I just do not know how to get my husband on board with it completely. He only goes so far and cannot go further. I already have my tiny house (399 Sq. Ft.) picked out but he gets claustrophobic just looking at it! Oh well, you guys are great to do what you did, not only for yourselves but for your children.
Thanks so much. We did a video awhile back about this topic. Our kids are excited about having everything taken care of. We can concentrate on just living a great life. Good luck with your downsizing and have your husband watch some of our videos. 😉❤️
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
ruclips.net/video/HUziCEX2LUQ/видео.htmlsi=6sF-iyRShD14whhG
Also our motto: Experience not things❣ Debt free but still have our home. Death cleaning so our kids don’t have to do clean and sort like I did for my parents….didn’t pair well with mourning. I applaud you two and hope to convince my hubs with an upcoming three week trip to Scotland and Ireland. Best wishes on your travels🥰
Great motto. We feel very liberated. Enjoy your trip to Scotland and Ireland and be sure to watch our vlogs from those places if you haven't already.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
All of your videos are informative but this one hit home like no other. Thank you!! both so much for putting into words what I have been trying to conceptualize in my mind for the past several years. My wife and I have been moving towards a nomadic lifestyle after retirement (coming very soon) and have been discussing how to deal with "our stuff". Emotional attachments are difficult but it never occurred to me to consider how our stuff would affect our kids after we have passed. We downsized to a smaller home 5 years ago and culled our stuff for the first time but many items remain due to emotions. With your insight, we hope to take the next step. Happy traveling!!
Thanks and so glad you found it helpful. Less stuff has definitely changed our life.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Goes to show not only did you raise your children well, but also what wonderful parents you are to have several of your children willingly invite you to live with them for as long as you want.
Thanks for the kind words. They are all good kids.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I keep watching your vids to keep me on the downsizing track. Sold the 1/2 acre 3,000 Sw ft home. That in itself was a major declutter of 25 yrs of stuff.
The light really turned on when I carefully put all the baby thru college stuff I stowed away in the cedar chest just to watch my daughter go “Wow you saved this?” Then promptly dropped in my trash bin telling me she had no interest or place in her home for it.
I was crestfallen and shocked.
I drag that stuff around for 30 yrs of her life.
Ditto with my son.
Keep going! We learned similar lessons as well.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Thanks for sharing your video, as always. As you said: "things don't really matter, experiences do."
So true! Thanks for following along with us.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I've been following you for a while now because my husband and I plan to sell everything and travel full-time next year. We are part-time travelers now, mostly in the U.S. This video was super helpful to me, especially hearing just how long it takes to get rid of stuff. Even though we have 10 months (with lots of travel planned) before we begin, I've started the process based on your advice. And you are so right! It is hard for all the reasons! Thank you for doing this series and sharing your experiences. You are truly achieving what you set out to do!
Thanks for following along. We had a plan 4+ years ago and it is turning out pretty well.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Thank you for sharing. As we think about our retirement in 7 years, we plan to travel a lot. At this point we are thinking we want to maintain a home base, maybe our current small home or downsize further to a townhome with less maintenance. We know a couple in their mid-60's who recently built a 5,000 sq. ft. home on 60 acres. They have said how much they are tied down to their property and don't travel much and don't even do other things locally like go for a hike. Thank you for sharing such a personal part of your lives! Travel safe and hopefully we get to meet when you travel around the U.S.
Thanks for following along with us and would love to meet someday. We love our portable lifestyle. Good luck with your retirement planning and many blessings in the coming years.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Getting closer to your 100K! You must be so excited. Good for you. We're rooting for you!
Thanks so much. We are excited. It has been quite a journey in so many ways. We have worked so hard the past 4 years creating videos, but hopefully people are finding value with our content.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Lovely video, thanks for sharing. Your sincerity shines through!
“Love Now”
Thanks so much for the kind words and following along with us on our adventure.
Happy journeys and many blessings.
John and Bev
ruclips.net/video/zMfqDyu7jUc/видео.htmlsi=TR6gtM2ZuLZ-UQi_
I admire your courage. Most people would be terrified of getting rid of their stuff. Good for you.
Agree totally! The more I travel and for longer periods of time I realise that you can live quite happily with minimal stuff!Your videos are so inspiring
So true! We don't miss our stuff at all. Thanks for following along with us.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Love the video! When thinking of buying a vehicle - look into car sharing or car co-ops in the areas your children live. These are a great way to have access to a vehicle when you need one, but you don’t have to fully commit. Thank you for all of your inspiration!
Thanks for sharing!! We weren't familiar with that.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
We retired at the end of 2021 with the plan to "snowbird" between our two homes. We quickly realized that it was just more than we wanted to maintain so we sold the mountain home, kept the smaller townhome (low maintenance and a good location). We'll travel 8-10 weeks this year. It's so good to "come home" to rest, regroup, relax between trips. Do you miss that? Enjoy your channel, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing. We don't miss our home, but do miss our kids and family. When we are back in the states it is good to "come home", we just do that at our children's homes now. We love nomadic grandparenting.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
What an inspiration you 2 are!! Thank you for these wonderful, informative videos! I love your advice to start with getting rid of the things behind closed doors- the closet, garage, basement & attic… the places we rarely see and go into! That’s what I’m gonna do!!! Yay!! 😀
Thanks. So glad you are enjoying our channel and website.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Great video as always! I sold my house and car two years ago and donated most of my things. I kept enough things that I needed to get a small storage unit. I'm starting to see that my decision to have a storage unit was a mistake. It's become costly and every time I go back I end up getting rid of a few more things. But this next time I go back I'm finally going to make the tough decisions and get rid of almost everything...and move out of the storage unit. The very small amount of things I may have left over I will keep with family. It won't be so much of a burden on them as what I have now would be. Thank you for sharing your process and especially how you dealt with the sentimental items. BTW, I just missed you when I was in Sri Lanka. Looks like you loved it there. I did as well and have added it to my list of favorite countries! Safe travels!
Thanks so much and sorry we missed you in Sri Lanka. We had a great time.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
This is awesome. I feel suffocated by stuff and just want to escape!
What a fabulous video and you in turn help others make amazing choices to focus on living and not materialism. Exceptional work just living life! We live a pretty minimal life ( and lots of travel) and just cleared two of our parents homes after they died and that process was a nightmare and very challenging….What a gift to your family. We will never do that to our kids. I’m glad you are spreading your beautiful message on a life without stuff. I hope you visit Nepal one day, that is what transformed the way we live after trekking in Nepal in our 20’s and returning 4 x’s.
Thanks for the kind words and sharing your story. Nepal is definitely on our list, we just haven't made it yet.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
B Class Van might be the answer. Something to live in while you travel ? We married in 2016 & I downsized from a 2426 SqFt home ( 4 bdr, 3 bth, 10 closets) to his 2624 sq,ft home. (All my belongings fit in his 2 guest rooms) We currently are traveling in our 33 FBQ Classic Airstream with our two pups. We've covered 33 states in the first year & will complete the lower 48 this year. Will be sharing your channel with him for inspiration. LOVE YOUR CHANNEL ! Safe travels, Wanda in Charleston SC
Thanks for sharing. We are looking into our options for the future right now.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Great video! Thanks for sharing your journey! Enjoy!
Thanks for watching! So glad you enjoyed the video and our channel.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
What a great video! These are the things that keep me awake at night. I have so many emotional attachments to things, I’m dreading this next step. I agree experiences are much more important than things., but downsizing is tough. Along with not seeing family for long periods of time and worrying something might happen when we’re far away. Thanks for sharing your experiences with these issues. Safe travels!
Thanks so much. We faced the same issues, but so happy with the way things turned out. Thanks for following along.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Great tips. We are trying to get to this point, we are not quite there with our pensions yet. Hoping we can figure out a travel budget to make it happen sooner. Cheers Chris and Jim!
You can do it. Going to low cost countries is the quickest way to make it happen.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I love the way you guys travel. This is also how I want mine to be when I retire 5 yrs from now. I am also a minimalist and I’m single, so when I’m ready, I think it will be easy and fast once I sell my house. I don’t feel attached to anything that I owned. Happy traveling!
Thanks and you can do it! Congrats on your upcoming retirement.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Excellent as per usual, love the quotes. Rat race is definitely a glass half full life
Thanks so much for following along with us.
Happy journeys and many blessings,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Really just love your perspectives and videos!
Glad you like them! Thanks for following along.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Great video, thanks! You had to make some tough choices, and it worked out for you. Travel strong!
Yes! Thank you! No looking back. We loved the freedom of not having any stuff.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Aww, what a great channel. ❤
Thanks for keeping the energy ✨️ up (the world needs as much as happy people as possible) 🤗.
I love what you're doing. Thanks for sharing. 🙏
You are so kind. Thanks for following along and glad you are enjoying our channel and website.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I’m not yet at retirement age. I’m just entering the season where I need to help care for my aging parents as well as older kids (one high schooler and one college). Traveling both abroad and road tripping, especially to national parks and nature areas is something I desire more of in life. It’s neat to see you doing it. Definitely love that you felt with your stuff and don’t leave it for the kids to sort out. Although I would’ve loved to hear more specific stories- like what items did you decide to pass on to your grandkids, what did you do with specific family heirlooms that were your parents or grandparents are even great grandparents. And what were the most expensive items that you had to sell or get rid of, you alluded to that stuff, but it would be nice to hear a few specifics. And how do you stay in touch with, good friends from the past as you travel.
Thanks for the suggestions. Most everything of higher value went to one of our children or sold. We stay in touch with family and friends with texting, email, face time and our social media channels, along with our 2 long visits in the US each year.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Great video. You really explained/shared what’s important. Truly you are blessed to have a big and good health and of course each other. I’ve been working on downsizing and recovering health to do similar to you. It was helpful to hear about the sentimental items. Thank you. Happy trails
Thanks and good luck with your downsizing.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Totally agree about whether or not to keep your home as a rental. That’s a big burden to haul around in your mind!
It is so liberating to not have to deal with a house.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Yes! Yes! Yes! On sooo many levels! Now to get going!! Love your videos!! Sooo inspirational ❤
Thanks so much and good luck with your downsizing. We are cheering for you!
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
My husband and I have done the same as you have done a few years ago....1 of the best decisions we have ever made. No regrets. We really enjoyed your part about the grandkids. Great insight. We love all your videos. Thank you ❤
Keep on traveling 🌏✈️👣
Great job and thanks for following along with us. Glad you are enjoying our channel and website.
Happy journeys and many blessings,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Definitely some ideas to think about. Not quite the full nomad yet, but traveling a lot and enjoying it. Even though I am planning on keeping my home base, I decided to downsize and get rid of things. Love your videos.
Sounds great! Good luck with your downsizing journey.
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
This is a great video and is very apropos for me, as I just finished decluttering and am about ready to sell my house! Of course I am nervous and the process has taken a while and has been emotionally difficult at times, but once I am rid of the item, I usually do not miss it! It just takes a little extra work, but the future is brighter because of it! I also loved John's comment about traveling until you get to the assisted living facility! I hope that you both remain healthy for a long time and can do just that!
Thanks for the kind words and good luck with your downsizing process.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Love this. I’ve been travelling full time for over months now, mostly southern England because my job is here, but I’m working towards launching my own business to allow me to travel full time. I have a storage unit and it’s time to declutter. Not sure I can whittle down to no storage unit, but maybe a fridge sized space!
You can do it! Good luck with the process and happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Am i close to retirement? No. Do i love your channel? Yes! I have travelled a lot before I got married and had kids (we're just about to take our kids to Europe for a few weeks), but my husband and I are inspired to travel when we retire.
Thanks so much for following along with us. Enjoy your trip to Europe!
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Totally agree with all you said. Material things are a burden, and getting rid of as much as possible as soon as possible is definitely the best choice not only for you yourself but also for your kids. And it makes it even more easy for them (or any other survivors) if you do everthing else in advance as much as possible - last will, funeral arrangements etc. We have even already booked/paid a tree in a forest cemetry, together with some siblings we'll be one day all under the same tree ...
About your future plans, well: Going to live for some while with the kids and watching over the grand kids instead of having kids coming once in a while over to your place isn't such uncommon as you might think. In fact I know quite a few Indian grandparents who go regularly for half a year or so to their kids abroad (means usually USA or somewhere in Europe or Australia) and watch over the grandkids there. When they come back, the in-law grandies do the same, so there is always care for the grand kids there. This seems to be a very common and very well functioning habit of many Indian grandparents with kids overseas, so why not try it in your case, too...
About your further travel plans in the Northern Americas, I'm just thinking - does it really make sense to have any 'normal' vehicle? Or would an RV be the better (=more practical) option, even better than another Airstream?
Thanks for sharing some great ideas and we are certainly looking at all of our options for future US travel and living arrangements.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
This is truly an inspirational story. Thank you so much for sharing all your adventures and personal experiences. You both are a gift to so many. I pray constantly for your safe and happy travels.
Our pleasure! Thanks so much for the kind words and prayers.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Wonderful, thanks for sharing, the only thing I won't do that you've done John, is a "bungee jump" I see no good reason to step off a perfectly good solid platform with an elastic band attached to my legs😅.
During our lives we all seem to fall for the "stuff collection", better off using the keep-it-simple principle, its very liberating, and saves the family a deal of bother. Enjoy your travels J&B.
We like the simplicity of our lives now and actually love NOT having stuff.
Thanks for following along with us.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I loved this!!! What a great video! My house is on the market right now so I can travel like a crazy person. My plan is to move into my son’s house and make an in law suite in the basement, bringing just what I need and nothing more. The plan is to pay off his house and in return, stay with them for no cost so that I have a place to go between trips and when I am older and can’t travel anymore. I’m taking my grandson to SEA for the summer and he is soooo excited. He’s never been on a plane before, so how thrilling is that? Thanks for this wonderful video and all your great advice.❤
That’s FANTASTIC!!!! You are going to have a great time in SEA! Let us know how it goes! Happy Journeys, and we mean it! John & Bev
@@RetirementTravelers Thanks so much 😃
I'm very fascinated and am in the process of decluttering
Thanks and good luck with your decluttering process.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Great video! I've downsized as well and I couldn't agree with you more. Happy travels!!
Awesome! Thank you! Great job on the downsizing.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Wow. I love your story so much. Enjoy Africa.
Thanks so much for following along with us.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Very helpful video ! Have a few questions :
1. At what age did you both retire ?
2. How many years after retirement did you start the world travel ?
3. How many months in a year are you NOT traveling ?
Thank you for inspiring us all !
Welcome to the channel! 🤣 We've answered these over the years, but we'll catch you up. John retired at age 55, and Bev was a homemaker raising five kids. We wanted to travel after retirement, and when Covid happened, we bought an Airstream and spent the next two years living our lives outside at the 51 national parks in the USA. We left near the end of 2021 to travel abroad. We generally travel four months and then go home for two, but this summer we're home for three. We have eight grandchildren we want to spend more time with and also spend time with our moms this summer. We love our lives and we hope you'll continue to watch! John & Bev www.retirementtravelers.com
Really enjoyed the video! The information you provided is so valuable for those thinking about the Nomadic lifestyle in retirement! Looking forward to your Sri Lanka video as we we are traveling there in Jan-25.
Glad it was helpful! We love the nomadic lifestyle and we will release Sri Lanka in a few weeks.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Thank you so much for sharing lessons learned..😊❤
You are so welcome! It is our pleasure. Thanks for subscribing and following along with us.
Happy journeys and many blessings,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Good video! We are in our 4th year and agree with you on all the plusses that come with minus-sing all the stuff!
Thanks and great job on living with less.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Perfect timing for my husband & I. We arent travelers like you but do 2 lengthy trips a year, and love coming home as much as we do travel but still want to get rid of the "stuff".
Did you do yard sales for those "expensive" items Bev or did you just donate it all and call it a day?
Love the do 1 space at a time. We will attempt a little bit of the "stuff" removal and a little bit of the document prep and should be able to make great progress.
Thanks again for sharing, your experience. Stay safe & Warm Hugs!
2 lengthy trips a year is awesome. Great job on the downsizing. We gave stuff to our children, had a big yard sale, and donated the rest.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
So happy for you guys ❤️. What an experience ❤
Yes, yes, yes...yes it was difficult; yes you made the right decision; yes your eternal travel now while you physically can. You've given us incentive to do this...or a facsimile thereof.
Thanks so much for following along with us on this journey. We do hope to inspire others to think differently in their retirement years.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Life is just better with less stuff, well said!
It is so much better with less stuff!!!
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Love the reference to the "Karate Kid" movie. So true. It really is a gift. Maybe when you are back spending more time in US and Canada, we will see you down the road! - Michelle
Thanks and that would be great. Enjoy your Airstream travels and stay in touch.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Thank you! @@RetirementTravelers
I’m going through this right now, getting rid of stuff, questioning by others etc. I’m actually finding it difficult to find people who will take my stuff for free. it’s a bit different for me because I never married or had any kids, so no one to fall back to. I will get a small storage unit, as part of my strategy to establish a tax domicile in another state.
Good luck with your downsizing process. We know it is tough, but hopefully it opens up new opportunities for you.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I’m also a lifelong happy single with no kids and live out in the country, so even offering nice free stuff isn’t an incentive for people to drive out here to pick it up. 🙄 BUT once I get the last of it ready, Habitat for Humanity is going to send out a crew and a big truck, driving an hour to get it all! I’ve loved them since the 80s and done a few volunteer things with them, and feel great about what they can make off selling it in their store. If you have a Habitat or a church thrift store or similar you like, maybe a domestic abuse shelter or a Ronald McDonald house, they might be able to use what you have and arrange to pick it up! Good luck on your project! ❤
Awesome. Thanks for the great advice. So much wisdom there.
Our pleasure. Thanks for following along with us.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Loved this video! Good to see you both living your best life.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it! We are enjoying life. Thanks for subscribing and following along.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Great video guys. We are going through our stuff and we have started with things that are of value to others and offering those for sale online. And we are also putting together boxes and lists for donations.
Our pleasure! Great job on the downsizing and decluttering!
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I like you have been on that global journey. Now in the Philippines for a while as they have over 7000 islands. may take me a while to check them all out. Good work on the channel keep it up I enjoy it!
Thanks for following along with us and enjoy the Philippines.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Very inspiring! Thank you for sharing your story! ❤️
You are so welcome! Thanks for following along.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Enjoyed your video. Five kids and eight grandchildren? That's great. But assisted living? Not a bad idea if you don't plan on living long. We own an assisted living facility. Have you checked the rates? For two, prices can range over $150,000 and more per year. Living with children and hiring a caregiver will save you tons.
Thanks for the tips. Hopefully that decision is a long ways away.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Thanks!!! Great presentation. Unloading to move to Ecuador. Question:ARTWORK ??? How did you get rid of ????
Artwork was something our children didn’t mind taking. I think paintings were something that they grew up with in our home and felt a connection to. John & Bev
Wow!!! ❤❤❤ This might be my most FAVORITE RUclips video ever! You guys nailed it. We have a similar dream and are working on downsizing now. Wishing you guys all the best ❤
Our pleasure! Thanks for the kind words and best of luck with your downsizing journey. We are cheering for you. ❤️
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
After working the numbers, we might be able to keep our (modest) house BUT then we realized the freedom of downsizing is really a key element of the dream. I loved what Bev said about your previous desires for a luxury home and how that has changed. I had the epiphany in my later years that prioritizing comfort over adventure would probably leave me with regrets in my old age ❤
So happy to have found you! Your advice is so reasonable and very much appreciated. Do you have a video addressing how you cover your health care needs? Not just medical, but dental and optometry?
Thanks. Working on it.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
@@RetirementTravelers Thank you!
Thanks for the video. I have 45 more work days ahead. I have to start cleaning and clearing the house to sell it as well as the other value items. I do have mixed emotions, going down to social security and a small pension to live on. Moving to a country where the cost of living is easier.
You got this! Congrats on retirement. Lots of good low cost options out there. We will be cheering for you.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Love you guys from MN! ❤❤❤
Thanks so much from MN. We have great memories of paddling in Voyageurs National Park a few years ago. Thanks for subscribing and following along with us.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
You’re an inspiration to me! We’re 57 & almost 60; we’re heading where you are;)
That's wonderful. Good luck with your process. Thanks for subscribing and following along.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
“Things don’t matter to us, experience does”. 😊
So true!
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Love your video guys, glad you are able to travel full time and making lifelong memories. I have a question, is YT a byproduct of your desire to travel and experience the world or you are traveling because of your YT and online business?
Some of each. We had always wanted to travel the world some in retirement. We thought why not try to monetize some of our travels with YT, and actually it has taken on a life of its own. We have enjoyed creating content and inspiring people along the way.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Love your work. I backpacked for 6 months in my early 30s and by about month 5, I was beginning to get over it and wanted to get home. Every day of travel was beginning to be like work. How do you stay enthused month after month without the comforts (and rest) of a permanent home??
It's kind of like getting a second wind; starting off everything was exciting and overly stimulating. Then, we settled in and began to realize that this is our life and we can't go, go, go everyday. We really love living our lives moving around. The only struggles we have is that we don't have all the time in the world. We want to sit and write more, and we struggle with that when there are so many place to go and see. We don't miss a permanent home, though. John & Bev
Great video, my favorite one so far!
Wow, thanks. So glad you are enjoying our channel and website.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Another great video! Sometime, I would love to see a video on how you deal with loneliness. I know you meet many people in your travels, have followers and have family all over, but was it hard to pull yourself away from your community, not to mention the workplace you retired from? You both seem very extroverted, which certainly helps.
Loneliness is never something we encounter. This week, we had dinner with a couple from South Carolina, we had breakfast with a couple from Delaware, and we've visited with another woman in the lounge twice in the hotel. We met up with our brother and SIL in Singapore for dinner when we ended up at the same airport. We've had a couple of facetime chats with our daughters this week and Bev just got off a video chat that lasted well over and hour with her mom. We counted up and we've texted with 11 different family members this week. We've been in touch with a couple of other RUclips channels who we count as close friends. We've had several Uber drivers who drove us for hours and random people who we've struck up a conversation with while out and about. We just aren't lonely and we don't feel that we are missing a community. We have one, it's just not the same as the one we had before traveling, but it's still a community. Plus, the icing on the cake is all of you who comment! So, thanks! John & Bev
We leave in a few months but will rent the house out. The car thing is interesting as we will return home periodically so I have done a deal with my daughter to buy her old ish Toyota that just keeps going as a runabout when we are here, hire cars are so expensive
Great plan. Thanks for sharing.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I’m so glad I found yall.
We are glad you found us as well.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I'm on board…but…what do I do with the concert grand piano? ;-) (half tongue in cheek)
We gave ours to one of our daughters and she loves it.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
This is just so inspiring❤
Thanks so much for following along.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com
Good stuff,keep em coming!🎉
Thanks so much. We are trying.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
It would be great to see a video on how to address traveling with medical needs:
Medications
Prescription refills
Doctor's appointments
Travel medical insurance
There are so many who want to travel and contend with managing healthcare.
Great suggestion. It will all be part of Travel School. We've mentioned in a number of videos that we buy all of prescriptions overseas and save a bunch of money (no prescription needed) We have bought in Panama, Colombia, Philippines and India.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
A very enlighting video! Thanks you two!
John, did you really take a bungee jump?????
You bet! A memory of a lifetime in the birthplace of bungee.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
I really enjoy your videos. I do have a question regarding paying US Taxes, medical insurance, and if you don't have a "home" where do you stay when you are stateside? do you use a family members address to maintain a presence in the US? How does that work?
We use a mail service called MyRVmail (link is in the description). It provides an address in Florida we use as our residential address. Many RV'ers use this type of service. Unfortunately, we still have to pay US Federal Taxes 🤣 and have medical insurance in the US.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
What about visiting or spending time with your elderly mothers? I think you have said in previous videos that they're both still living. Don't they need you sometimes for help with medical appointments or an occasional unforeseen problem? This might be too personal to talk about, but I'm curious how you are handling this because this is one of my issues with not wanting to be gone on a faraway trip much of the time.
This is certainly something that weighs heavily on our minds. We think it would have been harder if we lived in the same town as our extended family when we started our journey. We have siblings that help when our moms are in need, and we are grateful our moms and families have encouraged us to travel. Still, we'd like to spend more time with them. This summer, we are planning three months back home for a break just so we can visit longer and over the next few years, we hope to be present more as we add US travels to our schedule. Thanks for asking! John & Bev
Great job. Your journey through these years must have some incredible experiences and memories.
As you use your hotel points to stay around the world 🌎... Have you heard about those B.O.G.O. sales IHG has?
Thanks. We have not heard about that, but will check it out. We love BOGO.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Love this!
Thanks and so glad you are enjoying our channel and website.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
whoa! That's great snorkeling footage! What camera were you using?
We used a gopro. It was a fabulous location, Raja Ampat in Indonesia. Hope you get to see it in person one day! John & Bev
@@RetirementTravelers Good job!
I love this idea, but I don't like the idea of imposing on friends and family while in the US and the cost of staying in the US if not being hosted is out of reach for me. The fact that I am a US citizen keeps this out of reach for me. So glad you have the resources though. More power to you!
We are really blessed that our family and friends don't consider it imposing and have invited us to stay.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Hi from Kentucky!
Thanks. We used to live in Louisville.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
Someone once told me "you spend the first half of your life accumulating stuff, and the second half getting rid of it". When my parents died, I chose to keep only a few small family heirlooms I can carry with me and sell or donate the rest. It's time for someone else to enjoy those things. At the end of the day, it's just stuff. If my home burned to the ground and I lost everything, I'd get by.
Well stated and thanks for sharing. It truly has changed our life when we were able to let go. Thanks for subscribing and following along with us.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/
International travel teaches that there are so many different ways to be happy, and in much of the world, being happy is not about stuff. Cruising sailors, likewise, learn how much life can be crammed into a 35-foot seaworthy sailboat, because it is the places you go and the people you meet.
We agree completely. Thanks for sharing.
Happy journeys,
John and Bev
retirementtravelers.com/