5 reasons I was able to retire at 58

Today marks the beginning of my retirement journey, and I’m going to share the five reasons that enabled me to retire at the age of 58.
Over the past 42 years, I’ve worked in both the UK and the USA, making a mix of wise and not-so-wise financial decisions. In this vlog, I’ll delve into the five essential strategies that paved the way for our early retirement in Orlando, Florida.” 🌴🌟
#themeparkbazza #orlando #retirement #retirementplanning #retirementstrategy

[@A35X]

Congrats on finishing Barry, you’re quite right in what you say. My plan was 58 but cancer came and got me at 50 so my world changed overnight. Plan for tomorrow but live it as soon as you can, you don’t know what’s round the corner.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Exactly, you never know what tomorrow will bring !

[@GT-1902]

My thoughts go out to you and your family. I hope that you return to good health soon.

[@LAZERZ-OP]

Found your video at 26 and I am saving a good amount to retirement so I can retire early like yourself. It's nice to hear advice from people who have lived life and gone through the emotions of retirement. Wishing you both all the best!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Starting early puts you in a great position

[@angelabooth6871]

Enjoy your retirement. We retired around 57 the best decision we ever made.You made a lot of a very good points,it’s takes years of planning to retire.So enjoy it ,you deserve it🎉🎉

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Right on!

[@ch4os_theory175]

Fair play to you Bazza & for being so transparent about your lifestyle going forward. Quite refreshing when so many other vloggers hide behind smoke & mirrors or use deflection to avoid uncomfortable questions about their day to day lives. Enjoy your retirement, you’ve earned it 🥂

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks so much 😊

[@markhowson9694]

Many congratulations, Barry - absolutely the right thing to do! Nobody knows what's around the corner so go out and enjoy life while you still can. Hope you both enjoy a long and happy retirement 🍻

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks so much!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks so much!

[@donnalee2983]

Congradulations Barry on your retirement. You truly deserve it, embrace this time with Maxine xx

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you, I will

[@MrDavidMrIan]

‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint’. 👌 Exactly this, and kudos to you for playing the long game. Super happy for you - but gutted you got shonky financial advice. Glad it got resolved but how frustrating and draining. Some great advice in here - thanks for sharing. X

[@ThemeParkBazza]

And now I can eat at 4 pm for my senior specials at a diner x

[@MrDavidMrIan]

@@ThemeParkBazza 😂

[@SuperEnthused]

Congratulations and enjoy every moment!! ☀️

[@ThemeParkBazza]

We will!

[@wendygriffiths9628]

Wishing you a very long and happy retirement, my brother retired at 53, if you can then why not! Enjoy every minute 🥰

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Oh wow!, thats young

[@wendygriffiths9628]

@@ThemeParkBazza worked on the railway in management,

[@deirdrehaynes6571]

Enjoy your retirement Maxine and Barry you have worked hard and now time to reap the rewards especially as you are still young and have your health. I have just taken the same leap of faith at 57 due to my husband's illness and time I needed to take and spend with him. You are spot on we can always go back to work and get some more money if needed. However one thing that money cannot buy us is time with our loved ones.. both of us really enjoy your vlogs and look forward to watching your new adventures together. Enjoy xx

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you xxx

[@2legit2Kwit]

Excellent tips!!!! Learned a lot! Just turned 50 and am now paying for a small build after flipping my third home. I have about 10 years to go but all of it will be going into retirement. Having a paid off home, being car debt free and credit card debt is the key!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Yes, that’s correct, so important

[@manchester1972]

Nice one Bazza... Goodluck with your retirement mate.. I beat you I did it last week at 51.. But I don't have a swimming pool. Lol..u deserve it.. Hope u have plenty of hobbies. 😊

[@manchester1972]

Ps great advice about pensions.. I was in the military then a manager for bt.. So always a good pension. Bt put in 3x everything I paid in. So great.. Hopefully we can meet for a pint one day. We are over in Orlando in October.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Congrats to you, 51 that's amazing

[@susanrobinson2746]

So glad you did the proper intro after the very formal one 😂😂. Happy Retirement, you and Maxine have earned it 🎉🎉

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Yay! Thank you!

[@Chieftracyhorse]

Congrats to you both! I’m the same age as Barry, I’ve got a couple of years left as a nurse in the NHS. Reasonable pension is one of the last ‘perks’ of my job. Very jealous of you both, you have worked hard , enjoy your retirement. ❤

[@ThemeParkBazza]

That is awesome!

[@susanstanley2414]

I am a nurse I was on the old pension scheme, started 1982, and I semi left at 55, went back on the bank doing a few nights a week, used money for holidays.You are right the only good thing left is the pension

[@MattBridger]

Many congratulations! I retired last year at 55 and my partner retires in 2 months...its the best feeling in the world! Wishing you both a long and happy retirement!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you! You too!

[@kennethpreston9813]

My thoughts on retirement have changed quite a bit. I don’t think a transition from full time work to full time retirement is the best for me. I would prefer to gradually go part time so I could still have the social connection with fellow workers and have some additional money coming from my job so I could have more discretionary spending money to take more extensive trips. Everyone has to make the right decision for themselves. Congratulations on your retirement!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Yes, it was easy for me as I have worked from a home office alone for the past 5 years without daily interaction with the same people , only video meetings

[@shanathomas8581]

Sounds like the big theme is communicate with each other so you are on the same page. ❤

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Very true

[@dominic8218]

Congratulations to you both. I was fortunate enough to retire at 54 and now 18 months in. Live in the UK and spend 6 months of the year in Spain which is great. It takes a bit of adjustment going from saving to spending. Important to remain flexible and point 5 is key. You can’t buy more time 👍🏻

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Spot on. Congrats

[@chrisj6321]

I would like to do 5 months during nicer weather and rest of the time somewhere warmer

[@skybluejay9473]

Happy Retirement Bazza! Loved watching this, we’re looking towards our early retirement hopefully in the next 5 years. Hopefully Max will be able to put up with you under her feet 24/7 now 🤣 Enjoy your weekend and your lay-ins!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

I hope so too! :-)

[@ThemeParkBazza]

I hope so too!

[@edwardcairns1694]

Well done with the planning Barry wishing you and Maxine many happy and healthy years ahead.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you so much !

[@trevburgess5181]

Happy retirement both of you enjoy and make the most of it. I retired at 55 and am now 83 and it was the best thing i ever did. And still enjoying my Florida holidays.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

That is awesome!

[@tinapaavola592]

Congratulations 🎉 enjoy every moment my husband and I are retiring this year at 55

[@ThemeParkBazza]

That is awesome!

[@Steven-ns3rg]

Congratulations on your retirement I hope it is long and happy.I was lucky to retire at 56 I'm 60 now and have loved every minute 👍♥️

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Wonderful!

[@michellewyles4868]

Over the Span of 26yrs we have moved back and forth to Australia 3 times, third time lucky have now been here for 10yrs . Through circumstances we had to move back twice, each time losing money through buying and selling,and moving expenses. Just as we were a year into retirement and finally settling here, my husband had an accident and passed away. All our plans for retirement together never evolved, you can’t base your life on retirement to the extent you miss out on doing things when you are young and with your children. You have to live for today, retirement isn’t always possible or the plans you make whether through ill health or circumstances. It is good obviously to have money behind you but for some they base all their lives on retiring and miss out on the lives they are now living, I never thought for one minute I would be spending my retirement without my husband we planned so much it hurts. So yes be wise but not to the extent of missing out doing things together now and not waiting for the future, it isn’t always possible.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

We had a similar event in our family in 2022, which was the catalyst for us to push ahead and go for early retirement

[@TheCraigmcvey]

Congratulations on your retirement, and I wish you both many happy, healthy years of fun x

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Cheers

[@joanconnolly5299]

❤ Time with loved ones is everything

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Yes indeed

[@juliablowfield6069]

Congratulations on your retirement Barry! Enjoy! 🎉🇬🇧

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks so much!

[@christinebarr7687]

Congratulations on your retirement. I can definitely recommend it. Enjoy! 🥂

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@angelapolland5137]

Congratulations on your retirement 🎉. Enjoy every minute. Great vlog 👌

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you! Will do!

[@townhatter]

Inspired by your story and well done for being so organised and planned with your life. You both look very comfortable, relaxed and stress free and that's what it is all about at our age [I am 58 also!]. Wish you all the best guys.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@andrewhulbert2589]

fair play to you, fully agree with the pensions advice and the cant have it if you cant afford it attitude, we work to live before retirement and then when we get there we should enjoy it-good for you for getting out of the rat race early good luck to you both look forward to seeing more blogs

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you so much

[@gilscot100]

So happy for you. Like you we made a point of saving hard when we came to America. We maxed on all allowable contributions and were very fortunate with our financial planner. I retired at age 63 and the plan was for the husband to retire two years later as we had 2 expensive projects (one of which was refurbishing the pool). But life DID throw us a curve ball as literally 2 weeks after I retired he had a biopsy and was diagnosed with throat cancer. He came through it, returned to work but his heart wasn’t in it. Like you he traveled a lot, and could be bothered with it anymore so he retired a year earlier than planned. But due to very judicial planning we could financially do that. No-one knows what’s ahead of us. Wishing you a wonderful, fun filled, well deserved retirement

[@ThemeParkBazza]

That is so true you never know what curved balls are around the corner , live each day to the full

[@salata95]

Wishing you guys a long and happy retirement! 👍🏝️☀️🌴

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks so much!

[@kimpotter4548]

Congratulations on your retirement Barry, enjoy making lots more memories with Maxine along the way. Looking forward to following along with you both on your next vlogs 🎉🍾🥂

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks 👍

[@Learninglifeover40]

I am 41 in the UK with zero savings and zero knowledge but I am hoping to learn all these lessons as I want to semi-retire at 55. Thank you for these tips you seem like such a lovely wholesome couple 💕

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Hope our experience helps you

[@michellemarsh1137]

Congratulations on your retirement Barry! You are so right about saving for a pension from an early age. My very first f/t job (back in 1990) didn’t offer a pension, but my Mum being a Pensions Adviser contracted out my Serps and also rolled in a v small pension from when I worked as a Saturday assistant at M&S. That very small sum over 40 years has grown significantly. I also have 2 other private pensions (one from working 18 years at one job) and my current job (which will be 25 years by the time I plan to retire). Fortunately my husband also has similar, so we are hoping to retire long before 67. One of my bucket list wishes is to live in Florida for a year, so 🤞! Congratulations again to you & Maxine - here’s wishing you both a long & healthy retirement.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Tis true the earlier you start with a pension the earlier you can retire

[@tracybates2285]

Happy retirement Barry. Our northern background has paid off. We're not at the same stage in life yet but can relate to everything you're doing.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Cheers

[@SimonEllwood]

I also retired at 58 but in the UK, that was two years ago. We managed ten holidays in twelve months. It is a bit more straightforward in the UK as we can draw from personal pensions from 55. I agree with building up your money during your working life and simplify and get debt free. People would be surprised how low our fixed costs are living in the UK. We came to Florida in 2013 and enjoyed it including the Disney parks. We visited California in 2023 and were shocked how much more expensive the US has become. The local wine was very cheap in California however. Good luck and all the best on your retirement.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

We filled out a planner for our financial advisor recording our annual spend, and it was a lot less than you might think

[@PhillipGibson-yh4uq]

Congratulations to you both. We are 3 years away and will be retiring at 58. I'm hoping you can share your journey, and we can learn from your advice. As a fellow Yorkshire man, you fear the worst putting the money in the stock market 😀

[@ThemeParkBazza]

That's where the financial advisors help by running lots of scenarios on market performance

[@wildmarkappeard.]

congratulations on retirement barry, you’re both living the dream out there in the states! all the best going forward, and don’t stop riding those coasters!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

We definitely will be riding more coasters

[@jennifercaruso1]

Great Vlog! Solid advice, I just retired early too this past December and the bridge savings fund until I reach Social Security full retirement age which is when I will draw it, was key in making this happen. Enjoy your retirement !

[@ThemeParkBazza]

You have a big bridge, 20 years ?? Xx

[@walshdes]

Very inspiring video my husband and I are late 40’s hoping to retire by 60 and you have given me a kick up the bum to get organised, in Florida in September hoping to bump into you and the lodge guys. Big congratulations enjoy every rollercoaster when you can 🎉🎉

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Never too early to start

[@michellechristiesmith]

Fabulous, such a lovely honest discussion and what a lovely plan you have both made.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Well we thought it was a good plan, but as you will see soon in an upcoming vlog , we have already come across our first problem

[@jampoyner]

This video popped up on my algorithm today and I’m glad it did! I relocated from the UK to the US last year. Great to hear your views on transferring pensions over. Most recent advice I received was to keep them in the UK until retirement age. Sounds like I got the right advice judging by your experience!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

We were advised to move ours off shore, which was a bad move. What has worked for us is getting them all in USA pension accounts where our financial advisors can help us manage the investment portfolio together rather than rely on tbevlension companies managing it. If you want to speak to our advisors to get their input, you can DM me on our socials, and I can give you their details. They only focus on Brits that have relocated to the USA

[@allanjohnson7021]

Congratulations on your retirement. With sound planning and advice you guys have a wonderful home and a wonderful country to spend it in. All the best

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you so much!

[@charlielives5965]

Congratulations I am planning on retiring next June at 58. I have done fairly good planning. I feel the hardest part of it will be to switch my mindset from saving, to spending without an incoming income.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Yes that is quite hard to do

[@williamstratton1935]

So I’m 43 and expect to retire at 55 I have started to do long term improvements on my house like standing seam roof solar new siding so on. Just like you I want to have the big expeensives done before 55 to give me time to get to 65 before you have to cover a big cost repair. Hopefully your retirement is full of fun and enjoyment

[@ThemeParkBazza]

I wish the same for you as well

[@kevinfitzsimons41]

For some reason I thought this was going to be a ‘wouldn’t you love to be us’ type bragging video but in fairness you seem like a decent, hard working sensible, straight down the line couple and I enjoyed your video. Thank you.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Nope,what you see is what you get with us. Thanks for giving us the benefit of the doubt

[@davewordsworth1251]

HI from England. I really appreciate the honesty and openness's. Enjoy the retirement, you deserve it.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Hi Dave from England :-) , thank you !

[@dancurran8977]

Congratulations on your early retirement. We prepared for retirement by paying off the house and selling a car. I wish we would have fixed up the house and landscaped the back yard before I retired. The money has only been sitting there for 10 years!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Oh wow!

[@jericho1961]

Congratulations and well done. Enjoying retirement while still young and in good health is absolutely fabulous.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

We hope so !

[@Villanade]

Congratulations on retirement! Did it ourselves 4 weeks ago, I’m 57, missus is 53.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Whoop, you will have a great time

[@pauldickinson5067]

Congratulations & welcome to the early retirement club. I paid in from 18 & its paid off!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

That is awesome!

[@SweetLilyJasmine]

Very good sound advice. Thank you for sharing your personal journey. Now enjoy!!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you! Will do!

[@elliesharp7219]

Happy retirement 🎉, thankyou for sharing your wisdom around retirement planning, me and hubby are a little way off both at 40 ish and appreciate hearing your journey and tips

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Never to early to start planning

[@robertmartin2280]

Wishing you all the best in your retirement. I have said it before you give us back in the UK all the latest information about our favourite place on earth and now that you have retired hopefully even more fun. Alice and I wish you all the best and would love to bump into you both in September when we’re over with our granddaughter for two weeks.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks so much, come to one of our meets ups. Details in our Facebook group

[@NormalGirlVlogging]

Congratulations Baz on retirement, felt like I was at work with all the pension talk 😁 Some great advice xxx

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Cheers G x

[@mascaretllcmanager7481]

Yes Congrats to the retiree... but not so much on retirement recommendation to "pay your pension" -perhaps there was option in UK for this but very few US employers offer that option. Irrelevant comment for many.

[@stephencharlton2795]

Happy retirement Bazza, I hope you both enjoy it. Keep the vlogs coming.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you! Will do!

[@chiefmissile]

Congratulations, on your retirement, I retired at 55, 3 weeks ago after 27 years in the UK Royal Navy and 10 years in the security sector in Canada. I would never completely pay my mortgage off, I have invested for the past 25 years and made way more money doing that, than paying interest on the mortgage. Mortgage is the cheapest money you can get. Credit rating is not affected by retirement as you must have income to retire, credit rating only gets a hit when you default, not retire. Always have an independent financial planner. I now day trade the stock market and Crypto outside of my main investments . My wife is still working as a school teacher, but she likes it and not interested in retirement yet. I liked your presentation, especially the “No unsecured debt” so many people fail to realize this. If it works for you great, I’m just peeling the orange a different way. Enjoy 😎🥃

[@ThemeParkBazza]

As long as it gets us all to where we want to be, that's all that matters

[@CasainCollina]

You are a natural Baz and 14k subscribers. Must be your youthful good looks and Northern charm. I scanned the RR photo but didn’t spot myself. Good luck in your early retirement ( you’ve been around a bit by the looks of it). 60 for me. Take care. Pete

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Cheers Pete

[@Buns1172]

Can only fully endorse what you say about pensions and savings. Mrs B and I have had a parallel existence in starting pensions from the start and we were able to pay the mortgage off early. Make the most of your retirement and enjoy everything life now has to offer ❤️❤️

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Wonderful!

[@dawnabc5580]

Congratulations on your retirement, both my husband and i are retired, we absolutely love it! Xx

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Wonderful!

[@sheelaghdunne-ck4pg]

Congrats on your retirement looks like you had your pool done at the right time. I’m so jealous of the charmed life you are leading I love Orlando sadly it will be a while before I can visit it as I’ve just had knee replacement still in hospital but really enjoying your videos thanks for cheering me up

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you, we hope your recovery is swift so you can come back over

[@samscragg5956]

Congratulations to you both 🥳. Hope you enjoy a long and fulfilling retirement 😊

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you so much!

[@paulinebrown5436]

I was given early release/retirement from HMRC when I was 56. Did a little bit of temp work until the dreaded covid came along, I was 59 and haven’t worked since. You should both have UK pensions as you worked and paid national insurance in the UK. I know it’s a few years off but worth checking through the government gateway. Wishing you both a long and happy retirement, have fun!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Yes, we both have UK pensions

[@paulinebrown5436]

@@ThemeParkBazza a bit of a wait, but I look at it as a bit of a pay rise when I eventually get it 😂. Enjoy every minute of retirement. Always look forward to your vlogs on Friday. Love Orlando, our first trip in 1998 was supposed to be our ‘once in a lifetime’ trip, but have been nearly every year since, even 2020 just before everything shut down. Not been able to get out since due to life things, but pleased to say we are planning our trip for next year, yay!

[@wakeywarrior]

Good one, I intend to retire at 58. Will need over £1m pension fund. I’ll pick up the KZbin for some extra pin money. I’ve never had an employer pay a penny into a pension, so I’m having to build it up from my own funds. Pensions are excellent in that you immediately get 40-45% back if higher tax bracket, plus the compound growth. That’s the key. Some excellent advice here both, hopefully people will listen. You’ve very similar views to myself and it’s sound advice I’d say. Paid off my house at 42, loaded my money into it to get it cleared. The only one I’d not suggest for SOME is the financial planner. I do my own, my pension was doing poorly for years. Now I pick my own funds and manage things myself and it’s done very well. But you need the time/ inclination.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Not a skill I have to manage stocks

[@wakeywarrior]

@@ThemeParkBazza not stocks just the funds.

[@suelimb8790]

Happy retirement guys you have showed that with careful planning the dream can happen x

[@ThemeParkBazza]

And some luck !

[@marapane]

Congratulations and All The Best! Enjoy retirement!

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you!

[@ALifeintheParks]

Great video, looks like the hard work has paid off for you and now you can enjoy life without the daily grind. I bet you won’t miss all that travelling which definitely gets old after a while.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Definetly not !

[@alisonjordan1152]

Just watched your video and I totally agree with you time on this earth is short and family and home is important. 10 years ago I got breast cancer I was 46 had them both removed and reconstructive surgery since then Iv had it twice more. Last November I got it for the 3rd time and had the reconstructive surgery removed I’m 58 this September. We were not planning to go to Florida this November as we are saving for next September for our 40th wedding anniversary but as I had virgin points from our credit card I thought life is so short let’s just book it, hence why I’m excited at the prospect of meeting Barry and Maxine in November if they are still free with their date. Getting it 3 times brings it home that we are not here for ever. I took my home office pension early due to my illness and retired from working at the local hospital. John still works but we know we won’t be able to have our posh USA holidays when he retires as often as we do so we are making the most of it and taking each day one day at a time. I’m doing ok Iv got hobbies but you do have to think about your future I remember being 16 and thinking pensions in only 16, time fly. Make the most of every day with your family and friends and I hope come November we might meet up with some of you guys for happy hour. Good on you Barry and Maxine now enjoy your home and parks as you had dreamed of doing ❤️❤️

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you for sharing and your kind words xx

[@Mark-ik2lo]

Well done to both of you, we are doing exactly the same 11 June 2024 I will retire at 55. 🎉 Great advice and channel.👍

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@thomasholcombe2662]

Congratulations Barry! You’re still looking good and obviously doing well in life. I enjoyed the KZbin! Tom Holcombe

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Cheers Tom

[@amandam1143]

Happy retirement! So glad you can enjoy life after all your hard work and planning. Great tips by the way. Me and hubby are in early fifties and working with a financial adviser as to when we can take the leap and give up work. The sooner the better 😂

[@ThemeParkBazza]

That is awesome!

[@amandadodgson2444]

Congrats...Barry and Maxine, don't forget your UK state pensions at 67 also....😊🎉❤😅

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Oh yes, in the plan

[@memphistnliving]

Wonderful share it would be really helpful if you can share details about your net worth that let you retire early current KZbin income monthly expenses and how you navigate this comfortably etc this will help us gain knowledge and plan better

[@ThemeParkBazza]

My net wealth is not really relevant. Everyone's case is different. You need to work out how much you need to live on once you retire, including medical, vacations , day to day living. We did this with our financial planner. Then, you look at your portfolio and see if your funds support that budget. People talk about $1MM+ savings per person needed. We are not in that area, but we have enough based on our modeling.

[@memphistnliving]

@@ThemeParkBazza WOW thats wonderful. Do you want to create a video talking about retirement budget as this is relevant to many aspirants thinking about retirement? Also youtube and the way it supports your retirement in terms of finance will be added motivation. Can you share some details about your financial planner as there are lots online and each one of them have different opinion based on monte carlo simulation (Hopefully most of them use Right capital software)

[@ThemeParkBazza]

We already created a vlog on the budget called " can you afford to live in Orlando?" Our financial advisor specializes in UK to US relocation so only appropriate for those cases

[@memphistnliving]

@@ThemeParkBazzathank you

[@robinwalton7872]

Best wishes to you both. Well done. Hoping you will do lots of vlogs. Really enjoy you guys.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you! Will do!

[@paulthompson1953]

Brilliant. Thanks for sharing. Happy retirement to you both

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks so much!

[@shirleydunn8050]

Congratulations! Hope you both have a very happy & long Retirement. I retired at 61 nine years ago & people said I’d get bored and end up getting a part time job. Nope! 🤭🤣🤣

[@ThemeParkBazza]

That is awesome!

[@KonstantinKreis]

Hi Maxine & Barry, Congrats on your retirement! We really enjoy watching your vlogs. Thank you for giving us so many insights of your life in Orlando. We are a family of 3 from Germany and are spending our vacations in the Orlando area regularly (1-2 times per year). Our next visit will be in August. Your meet up at Stargazers is already set in our calendar. Your last vlog was very interesting for us (in particular your basic living expenses), because it is our plan to move to the Orlando area in the next 5-10 years. We have arlready started to prepare our financial situation to achieve this goal as it was also your advice. Could you maybe name some companies for water, power supply, internet, insurances for the house, cars etc.? It is very difficult for us to find some reliable information online. Thank you so much in advance, Svea & Konstantin with 10-year old Carlotta

[@ThemeParkBazza]

The companies you use for power , water and internet are dictated to you by where you live . We have no choice in the supplier, there tends to be only one option at each house we have stayed in here.

[@KonstantinKreis]

Thank you

[@2bigkidsgo]

From me and Fiona…. Have the absolutely best retirement, you both deserve all the happiness and relaxation for the future… couldn’t be happier for you (jealous of course) xxx

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you so much !

[@mattfranz564]

Congratulations! I absolutely love watching your journey. Perhaps we’ll run into you two when we’re down there in a few weeks. Cheers!!🍻

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Cone to our meet-up in June , details in our Facebook FB group

[@mattfranz564]

@@ThemeParkBazza we unfortunately don’t arrive until the 25th - July 7th. Maybe you’ll pop in a park or Springs one of those days!

[@stephencoutu2674]

Congratulations on your retirement! Now you can visit attractions throughout the week when it is less busy.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

So true!

[@NathT1998]

Great vlog, if possible as someone interested in moving to the states, could you possibly do a vlog like this on all the lessons you have learned in 20 years and as you mentioned the parallels between the two countries systems? Including main lessons for myself if I was to move to FL. Ps enjoy your retirement! You have earned it

[@ThemeParkBazza]

I will put it on the todo list

[@NathT1998]

@@ThemeParkBazza thanks Bazza!

[@alanwheeler3696]

For me the biggest thing is start paying into a pension as soon as you start work. Martin Lewis always says you should pay in half you age in percentage terms when you first start working. So if starting at 20 you should pay in 10% for the remainder of your working life. Of course this is just a very rough guide. Indeed with lower interest rates in modern times this could prove to be on low side but better this than do nothing. To put into context putting off starting follow his rationale and start at 30 and you’d need 15% for rest of working life. Enjoy your retirement.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Sounds good advice, the earlier the better

[@BaileyMxX]

Meant in the nicest way but what impact does lower interest rates have on a pension pot? Most pensions (especially growth stage) aren't invested in cash e.g. your bank interest rates Equities (company shares) which the majority of your pension fund will be in generally give much higher returns in low interest rates market as cash is cheaper for businesses to grow, the stock market generally outperforms during low interest rates cycles. The main impact would be on bonds/treasuries/gilts/fixed income which indeed would be impacted by rates but as you've stated getting started and with a longer outlook that you have a longer time runway then you want a bigger focus on equities. So in essence for most growth funds a low interest rate environment is actually very very beneficial, even more so in real terms if inflation is also low, so basically the past decade prior to COVID was the Goldilocks zone

[@767bob]

@@BaileyMxX do you realize that from March 2020 until now, if you had money invested in an S&P 500 fund would have made a pretty nice gain. Same in the CDs and in bonds. The 80's and 90's did very well too. And if you timed it right between 2000 and 2008, same results. The media may paint too much doom and gloom about the market and the economy but in the real world, it has been very good for many years in the market.

[@douglashamilton1440]

Well done, loving the vlogs been with you every week and will be over there end June to mid July. Would love to see you and your lodgers you know who, love them also. But keep vloging love them. 😊

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Have fun!

[@ctmarshall]

Good to see you Barry! Congratulations.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Hey, thanks, Clai !

[@biodiversity9808]

I am a 43yo single no kids guy and mortgage free no debt in London. I am planning to retire at 50-55 probably in south east asia. I am now contributing 38% of my salary, my bonus to private pension and work contributes 12% on top. Thanks for all the advise.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

That’s sounds like a great plan and you have started planning early enough . Good luck

[@15isto2]

Best wishes for a long and happy retirement

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you kindly

[@wtttrips]

Congrats baz! Enjoy your retirement.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you!

[@phyllisadams7822]

No Debt is the key,Im soon to be 61,and looking forwad to take my earliest retirement at 62,Im working on being Debt free,no credit cards, no car note any more ,congratulations to u guys

[@ThemeParkBazza]

A great plan

[@lucytaylor3139]

Congratulations you have plenty to keep you busy!!! Bet Maxine is pleased 😀

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Yes , she is, but drinking a lot more !

[@lukediddle]

Haha, that advert introduction was great. I watched the whole advert for you. 🤣 Enjoy retirement.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

You're the best!

[@Bombabingbong66]

Teamwork made the Dream Work. Onwards and Upwards Bazzas. 😊 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Yes indeed!

[@chelsntomtravel]

Happy retirement Bazza! 🎉🎉🎉

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you!!

[@rachohara]

Very interesting vlog, wishing you all the best for your retirement, you both deserve it! And Brendan said he'll be looking into pensions for himself 😅

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@AG-so4gl]

On budget, its really all about those monthly fixed costs, variable costs you can control, +/-. Lots of self help and free online trackers to punch the numbers in...

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Very true

[@Popo77767]

Happy Retirement Bazza 🎉

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Cheers

[@fabrizioriva1281]

Great wisdom, congratulations also for the location you chose: it's my dream as well

[@ThemeParkBazza]

I think it’s experience and ,earning from others rather than my wisdom

[@lily-kp1ll]

Happy Retirement! I retired at 60.

[@ThemeParkBazza]

That is awesome!

[@2legit2Kwit]

Congrats!!!! Job well done and young enough to enjoy

[@ThemeParkBazza]

Thank you