Frugal Retirement on a Shoestring - Time is Your Superpower
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- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
- What you get extra upon retirement is time. This is a your new superpower. Use it effectively!
Frugal Queen in France
We are a British couple living in Brittany on a budget.
Frugal recipes, days out, home renovations and day to day making do in France.
We’ll give you hints, tips, advice and an insight into our life in France.
Website www.frugalqueeninfrance.com/
Instagram / frugalqueen. .
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Where I live ( Vancouver Island, off the west coast of Canada ) the ferries are free to walk-on senior passengers on certain days of the week. If I have to go to the mainland I time the trips carefully. I’ve seen senior couples walk on, sit in a spot with a glorious view and pull their thermos of coffee out of their bag. Lunch follows later.
When they get to the other side, they walk off and head to the kiosk for a free ticket for the trip home. Over the day they get three or four hours of “cruising time” and are occasionally rewarded by seeing orcas, humpbacks or dolphins. Tough to beat that deal.
That sounds fantastic. What a great day trip for seniors to experience.
That's wonderful
Terrific 😊
I am on the island also. Between Duncan and Victoria
Retirement has gifted me the ability to "casual clean" and I'm really enjoying the fact that I can do a little bit...and then think awhile 😂 This has greatly helped me do so many things that have been put off through my work years and my house is finally becoming a Home versus the place I visited to sleep!
@@tbarc1 it's a joy
My husband was working at a low wage job-$14 CDN/hr. I calculated that it worked out to $8/hr. after expenses. So I asked him "Why do we need the money, to buy a new truck? The truck doesn't love you, the wife does. Stay home with me." So with only $30,000 in the bank account, he retired at 50, I was 42, and we lived on that money and odd jobs for ten years, until he qualified to get an early pension of $116 a month, ha ha. The 32nd anniversary of his retirement day is coming up in two weeks. Its been a wild and wonderful experience. No regrets.
That's wonderful
What an amazing retirement story...xx
Brilliant! 🤗
♥
How do you live on 116 dollars a month? Am I misunderstanding?
We spent time with two couples from High School yesterday! Had lovely lunch and enjoyed their beautifully renovated house after a dreadful fire. We never take a day for granted when we are with those we love.
@@andreamcvety3705 that's great
What a refreshing idea about time being your super power!!! I'm feeling a bit guilty because I've become a big time waster since I have retired...I read too many books!! But you reminded me of some of the reasons I wanted to retire and you have encouraged me to start doing some of those things I have put on the back burner. I have saved this video to watch again when I find myself slipping🙃
Thanks
Thank you for another thoughtful video. I retired in January this year and find I can manage on much less money. My garden is finally how I’d like it, I can see my grandchildren more and I love the simple lifestyle xx
Wonderful!
Yes, on all your points. I thought I would retire at 68-70 years old. But, I had a sudden and unexpected retirement at 58, due to health. Then, I had major medical bills and some legal ones, too. It took me 2 1/2 years to get my income and benefits from the government up and running, again because of health. I had no income for that 2.5 years. Fortunately, I've always been a frugal saver, so I could cover all that. However, it left me with a shoestring budget for retirement. It's difficult at times, but not a burden. I've always been content with what I have. I shepherd my funds as well as I could, and I keep doing that. Also fortunately, I rely on God for the rest and He always comes through. I don't worry. I feel quite blessed to have what I have. It's still a shoestring...but it's my shoestring!😊
Thanks so much
Very good video covering the many positive attributes of retirement. Hopefully this video inspires others.
One of the top points I always mention to someone wanting to retire is that any 'work' you do on your home or property, consider yourself as the contractor because your work is not taxed. So you not only have the benefits and satisfaction of do-it-yourself, but your work is not taxed.
I've been retired since I was 50. We were debt free, even at that time, and have a small farm so we grew quite a bit of our own food (we still do). So far, our budget and lifestyle has worked for us and I am 70 now. My husband retired at 62.
We do all of the repairs and construction on our home and property, we cook from scratch, grow most of our veggies, etc. Our big expense is medical insurance because we have very high quality insurance (plus Medicare), just in case. We don't have to pay for water or any city utilities, just our own electric. We heat w/ wood we cut off our own property. We always plan ahead for possible repairs (vehicle, home, etc) so that we have the money if needed.
Retirement is wonderful, and like you pointed out, so many ways to spend your time. We always stay home in the summer and we never go shopping on weekends -- leave the crowds to those who work. 🤣🤣
Thanks so much
Thank you for the video today…it really hit home. My position was recently made redundant (hate that word) and due to my frugal lifestyle I know I will be okay. I thought about getting another job because I am used to that…working everyday….but decided to enhance my frugal ways and become semi-retired. Maybe one day, I will work part time or casual but maybe I will decide the commute, office politics, etc is not worth the pay. I love the new found freedom of doing what i want when I want for the first time in my entire life.
Enjoy it
Yes! Time is our super power!
Thanks Julie
If you consider the time and expense of prepping lunches, ironing uniforms/work clothing, catching up on paperwork if you bring it home, work consumes more than 50 hours a week. At times during my military days, I carried a pager 24 hours a day, even on the weekends, so I could be on post in 20 minutes or less. There’s also the cost of what stress like that can do to your mental health, since you cannot “turn off”. Being retired, I control my time and calendar, and it’s often full of blank days, and it is heaven.
Yep, you're right there
Oh my gosh, you almost sounded like you were talking about us. Yes we live a shoestring budget and are very proud of what we achieve on so little. 😊 Great video you two.
Thanks so much
Thanks for this very informative video. We are both retired & living debt free in Sydney Australia. I love the freedom of not working & am very pleased to find contentment in a frugal ( but never cheap) lifestyle. I go to the library & for walks often, enjoy planning & cooking from scratch. We have a car but I am very happy to use public transport (max of $2.50 per day no matter how many buses, trains or even ferry ). I am free to visit my daughters & grandchildren whenever I feel like it. It is so easy to stay on the work treadmill & have that paycheck coming in but I have found life so much happier making do with less.
That's lovely
I have watched this video three times, your message is so real, and I do practice most of what you are saying. It is just nice to know I am not the only one doing these things.
Thanks for your reply
Hi Jane and Mike! I appreciate the time and effort you put into your videos. The teacher in you really shines in this format! This video really resonated with me, especially the part about having the time to eat well and exercise. I haven’t been too good at that lately and have even toyed with the idea of getting a part time job. You have made me realize that my life is my job now especially with the increased need for taking control of my health as I age. I can no longer take that for granted and must consider it big part of my life’s work now. Best wishes! Cindy from MN
Thank you
We go to Cornwall for our holidays, off peak. We stay on a lovely caravan park near Mevagissey. We pay at least £700 less than if we had to stick to peak season. I always visit Trago Mills ..... but that's a whole new story!!
Sounds great!
Ah! The legendary Trago Mills!
@@lindalomax5448 the free roaming hens do worry me though 🤔
Another excellent video - thank you. I’m also glad you guys don’t bring very specific politics or religion into your videos, as some other frugality channels do. Just great down to earth advice that everyone can learn from. 😊
Thanks for the feedback
That’s why as a South African 39 year old woman I enjoy her content so much, I have started aggressively paying down my house so by the time I turn 40 next year I will have no house payment 😊
Second hand shopping is the one thing I have noticed I don't get "time" to do so much since I went back to work- it used to be a weekly ritual for me- just to browse for what we needed or for gifts. I've been a little lucky lately with my finds but I notice the difference!
So true!
Hi Jane and Mike. Yes, time is everything. After retiring, it's surprising how much money can be pulled back with a bit of thought. Well worth it I've found. Like you, I do not miss the workplace politics which is what made me suddenly decide to quit in the first place. That was 2 years ago now and I've never regretted it one bit. I had the larger, necessary jobs done on the house whilst I was working, had no debts, therefore enough was enough. I'd savings put by and pensions pending. I'm always looking for better deals on things and have managed to reduce my expenses since retiring, all through taking the time to go through things. Thanks again for another inspiring video. 🤗
Thanks Shelia
More content than I could have hoped for from previously requesting a retirement video. Excellent thank you. I am 58 and still working full time after many years in the city I now work from home which has been a game changer for me. Not spending close to £5k per year on travel a definite upside.
@@tinanolan1485 that's a super saving that can be put away
❤ I appreciate your videos so much.i get my annuity and s.s i live on a shoe string.But im a happy senior.Your videos are a good shot in the arm to help Need to know that I'm doing really well for 71 years old.Thank you jane and mike and puppies
Thank you for watching
I retired from public education in North Carolina, USA in2004 due to health and family issues. I luckily had a full retirement and free healthcare, at least until Medicare. My husband had his job vanish at 61, In 2011. No retirement except small IRA. He has worked part time since, less and less. I worked 20 years part-time and just retired again at 72. We still had a teenager at home and raised my grandson while my daughter was in the Army. Both are adults now.
We have tightened up and put 20% or more into saving. I am thankful for what we have and give to several charities
through my church, mostly food and other necessities. I appreciate your tips.😊
On my, I can't imagine having to work that long. UK employers are merciless and hound people out of work in their 50s.
In the U.S., the reason most of us must keep working, even if we have a private pension and “could” retire is HEALTH CARE. It is so costly, and our Medicare system doesn’t pay for a lot of procedures or COSTLY prescriptions. My husband has 2.5 years to reach his full retirement age of 65, but those born after 1960 have an “early” retirement age of 65 and a full retirement age of 67. And then we die. 😢
Thank you for giving through your church! Blessings from Australia 🇦🇺 💜
I am on the way to shoestring retirement, and so ready for it! At the moment, I am trying to realise the value of things I have but no longer want or need, so building up the financial cushion for when it happens.
Good luck 👍
Retirement will be tight for me, I had no idea I was supposed to save. I have paid into a work pension since 2006, so that will help a bit, but I will be on a shoestring
We're on a shoestring that's for sure but we have so much time to be frugal and save money
Don’t know what you did for work, but UTube often mentions part time jobs you can do from home. Worth investigating before you retire.
@judimantos904 I am in Healthcare. I do another of overtime lately which pays double.
@@suebee1540 Hello, from a Canadian living in Portugal. Please try and save as much as you can as soon as you can. I was 40 when I became disabled. You wouldn´t know looking at me. I had a 8 year work pension, partial Disability Pensions from here and Canada, and when my husband passed away -I was 52 and got a small Survivor´s Pension from Canada and Portugal. I am now 61 and I only found out a few years ago, that my Pension and Disability Pension will be reduced in Canada when I turn 65. What I am trying to say is save today as much as you can, because Disability even cuts your income more -God willing you won´t have to worry about this but at least you will have a little extra when you do retire if you sacrifice more now. God Bless you Sue.
Quite a few yrs ago we cleared up our bank account in prep for retiring. making sure we had cut our bills so they were as low as possible. When we retired early it made the transition so much easier and would recommend doing it, it takes the squeaky bum moment out of it. We live very much under our budget and love it.
We do too, we've got this
I am so glad to know my super power.
Use it well
I'm a movie goer so on Monday & Tuesday prices are cheaper. Also, matinee shows are 30% off.
Thank you Jane and Mike for your most uplifting content.
In this country there is free travel for pensioners. There are shops that have special discounts for pensioners on certain days of the week. You are so right. It’s all about having the time to research what is available!🙏
Thanks for your comment
Yes, as I've come to realize, having the time to do things, is really great and money saving and empowering when I manage to do house/garden things pretty well myself ... and allows me to pace myself so that I don't hurt myself physically by trying to jam a lot into evenings and weekends when working full time. Being tired or impatient means things don't get done well and then all you see is the mess you made :) That said, I do budget for things I can't do myself, I know my limitations and as we all get older our limitations increase. Having time also allows me to plan multiple errands or activities in a day to make it efficient on gas etc.
Thanks for your reply
MUCH food for thought! Thanks, Jane. 🙋♀️🇺🇸👏👏👍‼️
Thanks so much for watching
If you want to retire, it Seems to me that it's critical to sort out your housing costs. Prioritize paying off your mortgage or finding a way to fix those costs.
Absolutely, I wouldn't think retirement would be possible if you were just living off social security if you had rent or mortgage to pay
Thank you...... for opening my mind to retirement, ❤❤❤
You are so welcome
My problem is most retirement activities near me require you to be 60 to participate. I'm going to call the community center director and ask for an age waiver. I figure if I'm using a walker and living off social security too then there should be some flexibility.
Hope it works out for you!
I love the time I do have to research deals, ideas or how-to activities now that we are retired. Time is a valuable resource. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks
Your videos are so interesting and I seem to learn something from every one. Thank you. You are appreciated
So nice of you
I taught elementary school until recently in the public schools in the US. Clothes are more casual. Even my large church is more casual since covid. I save my
"Sunday" dresses for funerals or weddings. Sneakers or athletic shoes are acceptable.
Not here, suits and ties for men. For ladies a trouser or skirt suit. The children are all in suits too.
I’m in California and joke about people wearing their fancy flip flops when the occasion calls for it 😂 Schools and churches are generally pretty casual.
@@tracyaf6084 that wouldn't work in the UK. No one takes you seriously if you're scruffy.
@@FrugalQueeninFrance I’ve noticed that with Europeans in general. Our au pair from France commented on it as well. People here are very casual. I have to say it doesn’t always save them money though, since it’s possible to spend a lot of money on casual clothes.
I’ve been teaching In Massachusetts, USA for the last 30 years. Some other teachers and I were just talking about how we used to dress when we started, every day , dresses, heels and pantyhose. I teach 7 year olds and it was not easy sitting on the floor with them. lol
Now everyone is very casual. Almost too casual.
I am new retiree, adjusting/getting used to free time, love it! Before I was cooking, now I am creating my meals and actually setting a table for one instead of having my meals on the tray on my lap. Yes, I have the time now…..
I could retire earlier, but did retire at 66. I made sure to pay off my mortgage, do all upgrades in my flat, save for emergency fund (and other funds)to cover me for 5 years. Somehow I managed not getting into debts, thanks god. Now I live on my pension, still budgeting every penny, but I eat better and healthier meals.
@@veradegernier2622 enjoy
Jane thanks as always for your video. Your little dog playing with the mirror is so adorable. I know they bring you great joy.💕🙄🐶🐶
Thank you so much Jane Mike and puppies.
Thanks for watching
Great information. Thank you. Much to consider and you helped to remind us of that…
Thank you
Great video....retirement has its plus & minus features...yes we have more available time to hunt down those savings we need now more than ever....you made some really good points.
Thanks
Hi there! Fairly new subscriber here…. I really enjoyed this video. I just turned 50 but I am trying to get my home repairs done now before I retire ( god willing) I really liked thinking about retiring from this angle of time itself. Very insightful… thanks for the video and keep up the excellent work 🤗💜
Welcome aboard!
Just made first steps, still a couple of years but you two are an inspiration 😊
Thanks Fiona
Thanks Jane! I find your videos very helpful in planning out my retirement coming up in about 18 months. I very much agree with you on the great value of time. I am in US and will be living on a shoestring budget. I live and work in a very large expensive city right now and when I leave work, I think the most important thing I can do is reduce my housing costs. I rent and want to move to a smaller more affordable city.
Good luck
That's a good talk. I'm in my third month of retirement and in the process of streamlining my budget. I'm actually happy to hear that there are many of us making the most of our money and time. I live in Thailand and in preparation for retirement I was able to buy a small studio condo on the beach, which I furnished to my heart's desire. And I bought clothes to last me a good long while. So now I'm working on my food budget to see what's reasonable and cutting back where I can. I love your talks and your positive attitude to frugality!😊
Thank u Jane n Mike 😊🤗🤗🙏🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
This is very inspirational and encouraging, thank you so much ❤
You are so welcome!
Wonderful information! Great points made. Makes retirement feel a little less daunting
Yes it does!
We are retired but don't have dental or vision insurance. I keep a sinking fund for both and we pay cash for both services. Our dentist gives you a 10% discount if you pay in cash. So we always try to do that.
Thanks
My kids orthodontist does the same so we always pay cash too!
As always great content!!
Much appreciated!
My husband and I work at the post office so we wear very comfortable and inexpensive clothing. We live 5 mins from work and don't give co workers money for thier celebrations. We want to pay off our mortgage so we can get the hell out of there.
Very accurate Jane. Well done.
Glad you think so!
Being on-call and working across several sites; I saved $200 per week in work costs (fuel, clothing, takeaway meals, phone, computer, internet etc) when I retired.
Thanjs
I feel sure you have an IKEA Friends and Family card so that your coffee was free!! IKEA restaurant prices have doubled here in NE Florida USA recently so its not quite the bargain it used to be. Great video!
@@Amanda-pv9kz thanks for watching
Great tips and sound advice. Thanks for sharing 😊
Thanks for watching!
Our plan, is less working days, buying big items, budgeting and travelling more in the next 3 years. ❤
You can do it!
Yes, time is more your own in the retirement years and that is wonderful. Also strict budgeting and I record every cent spent, so believe me that really helps on a pension😊
You are so correct check the free transport times/days and which days offer the cheapest deals at the supermarkets 😊
Thanks Jane, Mike and doggies for a lovely friendly talk 💐🇦🇺
That's so much
loved this episode thanks !!
You're welcome
Lots of great advice today! Love it ❤😊
Thanks so much!
Great Video. Thank you.
Glad you liked it!
My wife is a fab and told me about your channel.
Been digging potatoes today which made me wonder why you don't make more use of them.
I know the soil is shallow and stony but the Irish and the Scottish Highlanders developed a technique for dealing with that know as the "Lazy bed" system. I tried it when cultivating rough grassland and it works. There are several videos online describing it.
If you save seed like I do you get food for free and you can't get more frugal than that.
Jane recently shared how voles destroyed their garden -including potatoes - and forced early harvest.
No soil, our land was a quarry. Spent **** loads of money I can't spare putting in raised bed to have deer and voles eat whatever I grew. Vegetables are too cheap to stress over.
My husband will retire in 3 years and we will be on a shoestring retirement, we will not be able to afford living where we live. We paid off all debt and the mortgage, we have university fund for our son and in the next few years we are focusing on learning the skills of living on less and saving as much as we can. We plan to move to Portugal where most of our biggest expenses will be eliminated or greatly reduced and we plan to downsize and buy a smaller apartment so we will have money leftover from the sale of our house. Even with all that we will need to be careful with spending and budget well.
Have you ever been to Portugal? I am a Canadian living in Portugal (I am of Portuguese Ancestry). I love it, but the last 2 years there has been a big change. Housing has increased 50% or more in major cities. There is a lack of housing and crime has worsened in cities due to a lot of immigrants (I am not racist, and I am not blaming all immigrants.) but there are gang fights. Lisbon, Porto and Viseu are some of the worst for all. Plus, as of this year, or last year, people retiring from other Countries will have to pay income tax -their pensions were exempt previously..
@@isabelsebastiao-vieira2152 Ola Isabel, thank you for that information, I have been to Portugal and plan another long trip next year. I come from New York City so I am used to global communities, crime and high prices, so the worst of Portugal will still be a vast improvement. I am getting a Portuguese citizenship based on my ancestry. Obrigada.
Same here. Things are better in retirement maybe because we stretched our every dollar, and reduced our expenses by downsizing our 2 story home to a smaller one. My husband retired at 65 years old . His sisters retired at 70 years old. They advised him to do the same. I told my husband no, we will be ok. I want him home with me, and travel and work was stressing him so much. Anyway , we are doing good and have fun together . Our golden years are great, with our simple life. My sister in law is alone for 3 years now or more. My brother in law passed. She travels alone now. She’s almost 80 years old. But that is a lonely life. Made me think of all our choices in life .
Since he retired; My hubby and I are enjoying our togetherness. Money we can save but time passed is gone. No regrets.
Thanks for sharing
👍👍👍
Thanks
I work my last shift this Friday, June 28, 2024. I have run the numbers again and again and even though the numbers are that I am making in retirement 128% of my pre-retirement salary, I am still scared. Some things are just not logical.
Stick to your frugal budget and enjoy
Here in US people seem to dress more casual. In health care we were scrubs. They wash and wear well for years
That wouldn't go in the UK/mainland Europe. Professional attire is required for the supermarket
I am far from retirement but I hope living a more frugal lifestyle I can retire before the legal retirement age. So true that working costs so much money. I have to pay for childcare too and summer day camp over the summer.
That's expensive Jodie
In Canada we use the terms "crackers" and "cookies". Generally, crackers are not sweet (soda crackers, wheat thins, triscuits, etc.) and cookies are sweet (chocolate chip cookies, ginger snaps, etc.). Are you using the term "biscuits" collectively for all these things?
A biscuit is sweetened with sugar.
Same in the US. Cookies are sweet. Crackers are salty.
Biscuits are made from a flour dough and you eat them with either a meal or make a sausage, egg or jelly/ butter bisquit.
@@lynnhensley4326 we really don't speak the same language. They're called biscuits. You renamed scones as biscuits and totally made up the word cookies.
American English gets a lot of words from its immigrants.
"Cookie" is a case in point as it comes from the Dutch word “koekje" (little cake). One of my in-laws learned English in the States and thus knows words like "verklempt," "shenanigans," and "faux". 😁
I assume " cookie" is from the Dutch word KOEKJE as much of what is now New York and New Jersey was originally settled by the Dutch as New Amsterdam long before the British arrived! 🍪 @FrugalQueeninFrance
I have 9 + yrs before recommended retirement age in US. Im getting my affairs in order. House needs sprucing up...paint, carpet. I need new appliances. 26 years old. No debt or mortgage and tightening my belt for increased savings while still working. I want my retirement to not be a shock to my system but a transition
It's good to be prepared
My goal is 45, and then a low budget with my own veg garden and chooks etc .. Doing a odd shift in age care or babysitting to service bills
Unfortunately I have been sick since covid so I am a bit slow of this plan, may take a couple of extra years to get there. Still the plan
I hope you get better soon
Do you have a video on beauty or hair care on a budget?
I'm the wrong person to ask. I just wash and dry my hair.
@FrugalQueeninFrance You look radiant though. Maybe it's the healthy lifestyle and exercise in the garden!
@@jodieupton4000 thanks, I use a soap free cleanser on my face and avene moisturizer, both cheap enough here in France. I use supermarket shampoo, conditioner, anti perspirant and hand cream.
Retiring at 72 gave me the maximum social security, also moving from a high cost of living California to a lower cost of living in Texas.
Thanks- a lot of people don't live that long
@@FrugalQueeninFrance my mom is 90. My grandfather was 105