Our Frugal Preparations for Retirement.

[@gladyschandler6724]

You do more videos than most youtubers, most only once a week. I like your format of 3 videos a week focusing on different aspects of being frugal.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you

[@lynnoorman2144]

A very clear explanation, Jane. Whilst I agree, living for now and not worrying too much about tomorrow is important, I do feel that some practical envisioning, if not exactly, planning is necessary. Just as you have brilliantly planned your finances and 'road tested' living in France, I think that accepting that we are all going to get less physically able as we age, matters. So, I live in Cornwall UK and have seen so many folk move down here, buying a plot of land, growing veg for sale in an old stone house in the middle of nowhere or buying a house with lots of stairs in a cute village with no public transport ( or a bus once a day) or a flat in a seaside location with lots of stairs, only to find that, when they get frailer, say 70s and 80s they cannot cope with their property nor with the whole process ( paperwork and practicalities) of moving to somewhere more suited to their abilities. I am in my 60s currently fit and well but bought a house with good access, lots of public transport and an easily maintained courtyard garden and house that can be cleaned in an hour. So that, if I become less able I can pay for cleaning and gardening and it will not cost too much. As much as financial planning- at least creating a 'wish list' of requirements and asking older folk what they would have liked, is a good thing to do, now.

[@Lisa-vh1hx]

Your Frugal Queen blog was inspiring and led me to retirement 5 years earlier than planned at 55. So thank you for your blog then and your vlog now which keeps me frugal so I can splurge on travel 🙏🌻💕

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Wonderful!

[@justdreaming3869]

I love the love you two have for each other!! How lovely!! ❤ Great video all around. You're so inspiring as always

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you so much!!

[@kelleyspears1218]

Jane and Mike, what sets you apart is your honesty about how you got to early retirement. So many people on KZbin only give pieces and parts, but leave out things like bereavement or an inheritance, which certainly can heavily influence how someone gets to achieve their retirement. And the universal healthcare is paramount to being able to retire. In the US, it’s every person for themselves, and financially it can be devastating when someone is ill. Thanks for being the voices of reason and for giving it to us in a straightforward manner.

[@helenb9038]

Thank you Jane and Mike for sharing this. I agree with you about not dwelling on what may happen in the future at the expense of enjoying life today. However, as someone who was unexpectedly widowed just as we retired early the fact that we had been living frugally and had paid off debts and mortgage has been very significant. Life is very different from what we had planned but having financial security has removed a huge additional stress at a very difficult time.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for sharing

[@ClareC-o7y]

Hi Jane, I'm another long-term follower who used to read your blog when you were in the UK. My husband and I enjoy watching your videos, especially those in the garden and when you meal plan and cook. You have been a positive influence on our spending and saving over the years. I was able to take early retirement in the summer and my husband has semi retired. Thanks for these great videos. Keep up the good work. 😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Oh thank you!

[@momof2momof2]

The passing away question hits home for me. My husband passed away suddenly when I was only 49, and I had our 2 children to take care of. Jane, I can tell you, you never know when something like that will happen. We were prepared, financially, and I hope you and your husband are also.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Sorry for your loss. As explained in video, the survivor will be fine.

[@seekingtheminimumlevel1830]

You are very gracious to answer so many personal questions. It is very interesting to learn how pensions and health care work in different countries. Health care is the primary reason we will not retire early here in the United States. We both have good health care coverage through our employers that we could not afford on the open market. Our biggest cost in retirement will be health care - Medicare premiums, supplemental "Medigap" premiums to top up Medicare, out of pocket costs for things not covered by either of those programs, and the higher co-pays we will have when we don't have employer-sponsored health care. And we are healthy people!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you

[@victoriaclause6152]

Another wonderful video. I enjoy 'foodie Friday' the most, but I am certain your 'mid-week money chats' do me the most good. I am getting to the point that I can think about finances without undue mental discomfort...a vast improvement for certain. Thank you.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for your feedback

[@marypeterson1053]

I love how you are living your life your way. True happiness.

[@sheila1013]

Hi Jane and Mike A very interesting video was that. You clearly explained everything, which showed how well you have done your research. Thank you for sharing your experiences. 🤗🥰

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@kathigos4921]

Nice, I'm so happy things are working so well for you on your budget and prep. I have a very unusual life and unusual retirement as a mom of 12 and living in Thailand. Clearly, living below our means is the first step to any success for finances. ❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for sharing

[@connietroxell1575]

I love your videos. Although they all have to do with frugality, they are very diverse. I never feel like I’m hearing the same thing over and over again. Great job. Very encouraging and inspiring. Thank you!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Wow, thank you!

[@tracyfifield196]

I’ve been trying to get my head around pensions - you’ve made it more understandable than many of the videos I’ve watched!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you

[@lynby2108]

Lots of helpful ideas here, much appreciated.

[@irene3196]

I am already retired, but in this video you've given many others food for thought. Viewed sensibly, retirement is nothing to be scared of.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@gladyschandler6724]

Yes, like your downsizing as you get older. Great plan!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Yes! Thank you!

[@davidjenson7773]

A great video thank you for helping us. You are appreciated! David

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SpatchG]

I have so much admiration for how hard you both worked to get to where you are now. You've given me some inspiration.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for your feedback

[@Sandra-s3p]

You all are amazing, so gracious of you to answer these questions. Thank you, Mary, Dolly Jane and Mike.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you

[@AbidaS0301]

Thank you for sharing beatiful story well told by my favorite frugal queen 👸 in france 🇫🇷 voice of a angle heart of gold❤❤❤❤❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you

[@muttersmenu2422]

I remember your earlier blog, loved it. France 🇫🇷 called and you moved and developed into Frugal Queen France, very good move. I throughly enjoy your informative videos. Planning for retirement came to very suddenly as I was widowed at 60 years, far too early for me. I stayed working and paid into a super scheme, saved money and discovered how to live cheaply. I was more prepared and formally retired at 70 years. Planning is a key to taking stress out of retirement. Yes, I agree with you and post COVID the cost of living is sneaking upwards. Very good video 👍🇦🇺and scratches to the doggies.😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for watching

[@juststoppingby390]

I really appreciate you saying if we worry about unseen tomorrow we rob ourselves of today. I needed to hear that because I quietly have worried about being left without my husband because like you and Mike we are each others best friend. But you are totally right it is NOT the time to think of things like this it's time to plan our next part of LIFE. Many thanks. Both hubby and I watched separately and are chatting. It's given us lots of great ideas and things to look I to and sums to do. I must add that you and Mike have always been what my grandad called grafters!! That's how you make a life you work together.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for your feedback

[@Cookie7294]

I worked part time while the children were growing up. It gave the flexibility of spending more time with them and also having the mental stimulation of work. This meant contributing less to my pension and not retiring until 65. On the whole i don't regret it. Thanks for explaining the planning and frugality that went into bringing you where you are today. ❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for commenting

[@alegna4132]

Hi Jane. Long time fan of yours from Frugal Queen days! My family know you so well that if I think to do something out of the ordinary they say "but what would Frugal Queen say about it? " ha ha. You have been a staple of my life for so long - keep on being you as you are so amazing. Thank you.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@jeannetteshahenkari265]

Thank you for such an informative and encouraging video. It takes consistency and dedication, but it can be done!!! As you stated, side hustles and part time jobs are a great way to bump up savings. Thank you Jane and Mike. 😊

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You are so welcome!

[@gladyschandler6724]

Same as you im more busy than when I was working and happier.

[@moirasutherland7443]

Good plan to have house with less land, we have a town house in South Africa the garden is about three metres right round the house which is maintained by a gardener. We are now 75 and 83 so not as able to do physical work. We also have my parents ex council house in Scotland, twenty years ago we re did the garden with gravel etc so it is easy to maintain.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks

[@EleanorFraser-c5n]

That was a most interesting video, thank you very much.👍😃

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ruthhill5311]

Great video as always! Your KZbin Video is the only one I never miss!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you

[@lorelei9393]

Thx for sharing. Very candid and gracious

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Our pleasure!

[@janefoley5184]

Thanks for this video. I must say I envy your health care systems ( both France & UK). It's very expensive in USA. Maybe someday we'll have universal health care like the rest of the civilized world!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks so much and I hope that for you too

[@tracyc1630]

Thanks for this video. I'm in Vancouver, Canada. i work as a health care worker for the government, i have the same kind of employers pension as you have and our health care is the same as the UK meaning we dont pay out of pocket, i could retire at 55 too but its not that much (its in canadian funds) so i will work til at least 60 and thinking about retire over there if i can, so im extremely grateful for your vidoes❤❤❤❤

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for watching

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for sharing

[@aliliveswellonless]

Me, me!! I've been following you since your early days 🙂 The question I get asked a lot is "What do you do all day? Do you get bored?" LOL!! Great video again! 🙂

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks Ali.

[@johart8922]

You were very good at answering the sometimes rather personal questions. Giving so much information. Do you think it's still possible on a smallish budget to buy a small property a lock up and leave, further south? I was going to but Covid and Brexit got in the way and has made it more difficult to do.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

How far south? Limousin? Creuse? Bordeaux? You'll need around 150000€

[@lin90210]

Soon in the UK we can't take from private pensions until the age of 57. Not 55. I think because the government are worried there will not be enough of a pension for people to live on. At this rate I have to work until 100 to access my state pension 😅

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

State pensions and private pensions are totally separate.

[@lj2070]

Thank you for this topic this week, I am only 43 but thinking about my plans to semi retire I hope in 5 years and how to make it happen

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

You can do it!

[@gladyschandler6724]

In the U.S. the health care is so expensive even with Medicare my social security was reduced by $250 because I was a high earner. We do get early a few % of the cost of living at the beginning of the new year.

[@loydacoulombe1397]

I am not medicare age but my Husband is. I can't wait to pay what he pays and get the coverage he has.

[@alexvlachoulis1409]

Very interesting retirement video. Thanks, I enjoyed.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you

[@nicolescotto3918]

Love your great attitude.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thank you

[@cynthiablodgett1882]

We retired to FL, USA from NJ, USA in 2017. I've never worked as hard then as we do now. We retired on $900 dollars a month. By budgeting and renting our home from family. We managed. Income has since gotten better so it's not as tight. Actually put money in savings every month.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks for watching

[@gladyschandler6724]

It was a long journey, but it was worth it to live a better quality of life and peace of mind.

[@DebfromVa]

Great video!

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks!

[@sophiawolthof1238]

👍👍👍

[@sallydillon2089]

here here- so true I agree citizen of Europe 21:53

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Yes!

[@Helen-c1n]

How did your friends and family react to your decision to retire early? I want to retire in my 50's but i've already had comments - people thinking im idle, no longer contributing to society, they never stopped working so what gives me the right to? etc None of that would be the case as i plan on spending a lot of my time volunteering.

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Not had anything negative said to me.

[@kimpatterson8741]

❤

[@beverlyanntaylor9652]

😊💜

[@lisafenn4238]

Hi Jane. I thought your accent sounded familiar. I live in Teignmouth. I am really enjoying your channel.... and I absolutely love your kitchen tiles. xxxx

[@FrugalQueeninFrance]

Thanks and welcome Lisa

[@lisafenn4238]

@@FrugalQueeninFrance Thank you Jane xx

[@gladyschandler6724]

Some of those questions were rude. How much my social security and pension is no one's business except with whom I which to share.

[@tbee2653]

Unfortunately when you open your life and expenses to public view, people are going to be curious. And Jane has shared quite a bit of their finances online already. Maybe it was a bit rude but still people are curious.

[@LauraMacMillan-el2kc]

I agree! Those are certainly the types of questions that I was brought up to never ask. Fortunately Jane is a confident adult, who knows how to politely and kindly say “I’m not sharing that.” I’ve seen her do it on two separate occasions in just the last few months. I think she’ll be okay. ;)