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I don't consider myself a minimalist per se, but I do live dirt cheap in an expensive state in the US. I spend 27% of my net income, invest the rest, and, at 62, think constantly about my retirement plans. It's mentally exhausting, but I can't stop thinking about it. Slow travel? Longer stint language studies in foreign countries? Van life? University course auditing? Worldpackers? Stay home and read? Do you have living parents? If so, how does that factor into your plans? I'm basically in a holding pattern, continuing to work, to be close to my dad if he starts to need help. But he could live for another ten years, and I wonder if I should lose my sixties just to be near him if he doesn't really need me. Endless considerations to take into account. It's like being a teenager, trying to figure out what to do with your life all over again.

I watch 2GoRoam. They are pretty tight-lipped about their specific finances, but I wouldn't be surprised if a state pension is in their plans, at least for the future. They retired at 55, or thereabouts, and their plan was to travel for ten years, so maybe they plan to move back to the UK after that and start drawing on their pensions then, or later. My impression is they are living fully off of their investments now (but I may be wrong).

Loved your video today. Thank you - I'd been interested in hearing more about what your alternate plan if you don't settle fulltime in France. My partner and I are incorporating sampling 5 or 6 months in a country, but still return to our base (home). We have found that's a bit too long for us - just a personal preference and because of continual visa renewals/costs.

@2GoRoam funded their nomad lifestyle in part by selling their house. That was also true for @GoWithLess.

Twogoroam are english and in England the state pension is not means tested so I presume they have in their plans that in their older years back in the uk they have access to that.

I watch 2goroam. They sold everything, and do house and pet sitting. I think they now get pensions, too. I watched most of their videos from the beginning. Another couple that travels and exclusively pet sits is Nomad life, full time travel (eat walk learn).. it is a long title but that is the name of their channel. They do almost ALL house sits and talk about it a lot. They spend a lot of time in Australia last year and it was because they did house sitting almost the entire 5 months. You could do that in your home country and still work in the places that you go since you are a citizen.. at least for the time you are 'in country'.

I paid off my house, and I have adjusted my budget to live on what I would get from SS for the foreseeable future. A test to see if I can do it, like you said. I am 61 so I don't really have that much time to do it. I am working and making good money, but my job is very stressful. I have no 'extra' incomes. I have no retirement. It's only SS, any cash I can save, and my house.

I’m 47 and started working on my personal retirement plan only 3 years ago😅…better later than never!

Thank you for sharing! 😊❤

The aged pension isn't sustainable with the aging population. Hopefully super helps reduce the burden. My mum is on it and it's about 1300/FN. Her rent is 640/FN. I am doing everything I can to not be in that position!

I have watched 2goRome. I retired 9 months ago. Not old enough for govt social security yet but have not taken anything out of my savings. I practiced living on retirement income!

Great video. I like the way you say that we all make our own rules in regards to minimalism. I do that too. I've never found it stressful, I've always enjoyed it. I still declutter one item daily, and it's just one individual item. If I'm not using something, I'll give it away. I find minimalism to be a very positive way to live. With regards to shopping, I don't like shopping but I like going around the shopping centres and I might go for a coffee. And if I feel I need something, I will buy it but I know I will use it and there will a reason for buying it. I also like to have less items around me in my place because it lends to a peaceful environment. I also find that being frugal makes me more creative, and it doesn't feel like deprivation.

I'm working towards minimalism. The one thing I can't deprive myself of is my plants. I require MANY. For decor, I typically like stones or feathers or interesting branches and bones I've found. When I'm done with them or moving, they're of thw earth so I give them back to the earth. Then nothing to transport if I'm moving.

I'm a minimalist, more on the cozy side I suppose. I do miss shopping, but not for what I get out of it at the end. I don't need anything, so it's not exciting anymore, but I do remember the thrill of the hunt...that now I realize was mostly for junk that I ended up decluttering! I guess I sometimes get that feeling at the library. The hunt, the treasure, but I don't have to keep it!

I am a minimalist, but have a lot of stuff. I own a house so I need lawn mower, weed whip, snowblower, lawn furniture. I live in a colder climate so I need boots, coats, hats, gloves, blankets, sweaters. I have 2 grown children with photo albums, baby treasure memories. I have crockpot, huge roasting pan, badminton set, board games for entertaining. Books I love and some have had since the 70's as a teen. I only have what I love and need, nothing more. Much less than anyone I know. But it's still a lot.

I own 185 items in my 1 bedroom apartment I love having only a twin bed and 1 chair to sit in the living room ! I only have a small candle and a small green Buddha for decor ! I have CC debt so I’m living frugal and I’m a senior on a fixed pension 😊❤

I own less than 500 items. That includes pens, paper clips, forks, spoons etc. I also have furniture and paintings on the walls. My apartment is very small and doesn't look empty because of how I arrange it. I just don't have many clothes, linens and such. I won't deprive myself but I do try to keep small stuff to a minimum. I pay no attention to the minimalist police who tell me I can't have certain things.

I found out a few things about myself while minimalism became popular. .. I love house tours because they are empty and I love empty rooms. .. I do struggle with letting people know I don't want stuff or gifts . My family likes to keep everything and I feel guilty giving things away that are from my bf's family.. how do I overcome this?😅 I also love your videos 💜

I am slowly getting there taken me years but it was about how I thought not about the stuff 😊 the stuff was easy to get rid of! Minimalism has wonderful knock on effects like finance, sustainability etc I love that about it 🧡 I always remember that old saying, the people that mind don’t matter, and the people that matter don’t mind! & now don’t care what anyone thinks 😂🥰 love your channel xx🦊

I prefer the low cost minimalism…although I’m not really a minimalist but more of a frugal person. No, I don’t feel deprived!😊 I feel empowered because the least I want/need, the more perceived value I actually get from everything I own or do. That attitude is going very deep and affects each aspect of my life😅. I always remember what I heard long time ago: the rich life doesn’t mean more possession or activities, but for me it means being genuinely happy and content within your means

Great, I love your approach

I am a 53 year old with vision problems, too. I love being minimalistic and have my wardrobe exactly as I want it. It's smart and beautiful to me and so hassle free. I keep inventory and follow one in one out rule.

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Being retired and having limited vision, i dont go out much anymore. I have found a wardrobe that works for me. I have 6 pairs of jeans, 6 white tops, 2 pairs of shoes, onw handbag, a shawl and a jacket. The shawl and jacket never get worn because i live in florida where it never gets cold. I do have a few pairs of socks in case my feet get cold but that rarely happens either. Sonce i cant see much, i dont really care about colors anymore. This makes every day simple.

This is a very inspiring video Shireen. I agree with all your points here.I do wear the same kind of clothes all the time but I would like nicer clothes. I'd like to be in the position that you are with your wardrobe, having quality clothes you love to wear and that you feel comfortable in. I'm in the process of losing weight and I'm not buying any clothes until I'm happy with the weight I've lost. Then I'm going to buy some lovely light coloured linen shirts and darker coloured trousers and a few other choice pieces and that will be it because i know i will feel comfortable in those clothes. And although I don't like shopping for clothes, I'm really,really looking forward to having a quality capsule wardrobe. Thanks for this video.

Gordon Ramsay not Dave Ramsay

Minimalism is hard to grasp as it is seen as another trend to follow and throw away.

Hi there, how’s it going. Great topic thanks for sharing

thanks for another inspiring video

Loved this! I always enjoy your conversations, Shireen! 😊❤

New Subscribers here! As we are aging we have become much more frugal and loving the move to minimalism. It's become liberating getting rid of all of our possessions as we are planning on moving. The idea of long term storage now is feeling like an anchor in the ocean.

I am graying and am 53...I love it and am doing nothing about it. The funny thing is I have aunts and cousins much older who do ! So usually I look the oldest in any pic taken together but am the youngest !!

I do many of these...😅 like living in a cheaper area, no restaurants or takeaways, coffee in a flask every day, saving/investing around 20% every month, i normally get what i need and only occasionally what i want 😂, work on my financial education... And the most important, im working on defining for myself what is "enough" and achieving better work-life balance

I really enjoyed this format and type of content. I appreciated hearing your reasoning behind your choices.😊

I’m scared of eBay. I’m worried people will send stuff back? Hmm

Hope chest in US. Linens and stuff you collect for your first home, then blanket storage. Always cedar wood.

Hi Shireen, i just came across this video. Oh my gosh what a wonderful, wonderful video. I don't know where to start commenting. I can certainly see the allure of wanting to move to France. It is strikingly beautiful. Its a pity covid was happening around the time you were there but you saw a different side of it. The only time i was in France was when i was on holiday in Jersey many years ago and we took a day trip to France to St Malo by boat. It wasn't long before we were driving through lavender fields and beautiful farms and because i had done French at secondary school i was able to order our coffees and cakes in French. It was fluent French but the locals appreciated that we made the effort to speak some French. Do you have any videos of your time in the UK Shireen and did you enjoy your time in the UK?

People are always judging and misjudging others so I stopped worrying about that. I find myself being sentimental about stuff but not a hoarder. I ditch often. Not a minimalist either. I admire those who are. You have great confidence. Thanks for sharing.

I am 65 extreme minimalist and I don’t think anyone has ever noticed. I have never discussed it with anyone. I think when people come in my house they may think I’m just extremely neat. No one knows I sleep on the floor because they have never asked me about my bedroom even though they can see it on the way to the bathroom.I have never felt any social pressure to conform.

Another excellent video Shireen. I'm also a public servant and i quite like that. I work as a cook in a hospital. I remember once having the 'if my place burned down what would i do ?' conversation and at present i would not bother me if i lost most of my possessions. I could always start again. The only things i wouldn't want to lose is photographs, which i have plenty of of my family holidays and my holiday momentos. I love reminders of my holidays including Brisbane. Minimalism came easy to me and i gradually lost attachment to possessions. I used to cart around boxes of my favourite cds and dvs and I gradually gave them all away to charity shops. Ps the only time i heard the term 'glory box' was when Portishead has an excellent song called 'glory box' Also,as ive said before - i love your open style of presenting your videos. Its very refreshing to listen to especially because you are so knowledgeable.

Great video! I miss your older videos that discuss the degrees of separation from the body. Great content! 👍🏿

Called a blanket box or hope chest here in Ireland 🇮🇪

Thanks for your videos! You've inspired me to start selling things I don't need. Any idea what to do with unwanted gifts?

Some view minimalism as a chore. It doesn’t have to be.

I think your storage box is called a cedar hope chest here

I think,people do not want to embrace minimalism,because they do not want to define themselves only and for good to this category-I am minimalist,but when I am in the shop with beautiful kitchenware,I am tempted to buy ,thinking; ok I am minimalist for myself,but when my family visits,its nice to have all the pretty tableclothes,plates ,vases and serving bowls in different styles.I drink my coffee from measure jug made of glass but I want to be able to serve coffee for my family in proper and lovely cups...and this is for every aspect of life-for solo people- seems fine to be on the minimal side,-but we want to grace our families with something more.

Thanks for chatting about our book and sharing the delighted of inner city Brisbane with the world. Such a super place to live and be inspired.

I love your walking videos. You live in a really beautiful area. I love the idea of having less stuff. I find it quite freeing. And I've stopped impulsive purchasing too for the most part. Ps. The music in your video really complements the visuals too. Whenever i send correspondence in the post to my family in Brisbane, i always think it should be called 'Beautiful Brisbane ' or 'Wonderful Australia ' and sometimes i write that on the card I'm sending.

Absolutely love this style of video Shireen. The scenery, music, topic was relaxing and easy to take in. X

I love the walking tours! I was a bit worried when you mentioned adding music, but your choice of music was appropriate, not annoying, and didn’t distract from your message. Welcome back by the way.