How can we retire early?

[@rkbeswick]

I retired at 65, I'm now 71, and the time really does fly. I think the really important thing about retiring is what you are going to be doing with all the extra time that you have on your hands. Personally I have so many interests, etc. I don't know how I found the time to go to work. My father on the other hand, took early retirement at 63, but because he was so bored he went back to work. Unfortunately he died in his sleep when he 64, and never got to draw his state pension. I'm a scooter rider like you and I know how the weather in this country can be so restrictive. Being retired gives you so much more opportunity to get out there when it's fine, and do what you enjoy doing. When you're retired every day is a Saturday except for Sunday. My wife and I have a camper van like you and because she doesn't like flying we have no need for expensive holidays. We head across to France with a scooter on a trailer behind the van, and the great thing about being retired is that we're not trying to squeeze as much as we can into a 2 week holiday before going back to work. My brother is 66 and still works. He and his partner spend around £8000 each summer for 2 weeks in the Caribbean. I tell him he's out of his mind! I'm so glad that I find enjoyment and satisfaction doing the less expensive things in life! My advice is to retire as soon as you can afford to. The greatest luxury anyone can have is time. The longer you are working the less of that luxury will be yours to enjoy. I wish you both well as you explore your options, and look forward hopefully to some more of your great Vespa videos. Ray.

[@vespadventures4557]

Thanks for taking the time to comment, very though provoking. assuming we'll even make it to 70 isn't guaranteed

[@dominic8218]

Thanks Andy. Retired last year at 54, so very lucky. It does take a bit of getting used to, but certainly beats working. Now changed my attitude to, I can always make more money, but what you can’t change is the time you have ahead. Wish you and your followers the best whatever you decide. 👍🏻

[@vespadventures4557]

Hi, thanks for your thoughts - good luck!

[@alexbridge2130]

I am 44 and think about my retirement a lot. I have a good company pension and try and up payments every year. I would like to retire at 60, another 16years of work in front of me. But if I did retire earlier, I would also like to get a part time job in a bike dealership working on the clothing sales or something similar. As I love the whole bike industry. But I did find this interesting, thanks for the food for thought!

[@vespadventures4557]

I wish I'd have given it more thought in my 40's, I think some form of employment is good for the mind - and helpful to the bank balance

[@Tony-ug1mv]

I’m 64 and took early retirement when I was 55 after 40 years work. I had 2 main criteria’s before I retired being that the house was paid for & the kids had left home. I never take it for granted that I have a full works pension but boy did I work a lot of hours over the years to achieve it. I don’t lead a ‘jet set’ lifestyle, I’m happy to go out for lunch with my wife on the scooter and just ‘chill’☺️ If you can retire go for it👍

[@vespadventures4557]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Our current house is far from paid for, but there's a fair bit of equity there so downsizing would possibly be the option for us.

[@javiern3036]

I am glad that I found your channel Andy, I know a couple they rented their flat, they got a narrowboat (and they leave on it), they are enjoying their self, winter months they stay at the marina as soon spring comes the wonder the waterways enjoying.

[@vespadventures4557]

That sounds idyllic - I've often thought about a narrow boat

[@stevefreeman7411]

Great Video. So much of what you say is what we are thinking at the moment , so stressed with work and just gave my notice, big changes ahead. Bricking it

[@vespadventures4557]

Wow! good luck - "life's too short" might sound corny, but it's true...

[@ianwarden3352]

Great video Andy i am 63 in may and all the same thoughts have been running through my head we paid the morgage off years ago i have a tidy sum in a private pension and still paying into it the kids have left home and listerning to your words have sort of given me a bit of a push to later this year or very early next year as the boss wants a new kitchen in july so probably early next year and if things dont quite go to plan i could go back to work for a few years.i will look forward to your next video

[@vespadventures4557]

Hi Ian. thanks for your comments. I guess the big step is leaving behind the comfort blanket of regular income - especially trying to retire before we can expect state pension...

[@onefootinthevan]

Hi Andy I left when I was almost 64 would definitely do what you can when you can, found when we go france and spain we don't spend much more than at home. Enjoy your Good year's

[@vespadventures4557]

Hi. Yes, it does appeal, especially when I watch what you've been doing..

[@InterceptorSC]

I did it at 58 wife is 3 years older had part time job .Wife got her pension at 62 and we were able to get pension credit.my pension kicked in at 66 plus private pension .Went from pension credit to paying tax again.Wife gave up her job start of COVID.Im 69 in June going to cash my other pension use the 25% tax free part to upgrade motor home do winter trip to Spain.

[@vespadventures4557]

Sounds perfect!

[@InterceptorSC]

Another tip is if one of the couple becomes non tax payer the other can use some of their tax allowance.We did it and funny enough the money man just mentioned it on telly .

[@markyy3590]

I'm 52 now and hoping to wind down at 60

[@vespadventures4557]

You've got time to get everything in place

[@Smudgie]

I'm 62 and retirement is fairly close. I still have to wait 3 years for payout on my life insurance and other investments and i am starting to feel they will be 3 wasted years. Both of my parents died in their mid seventies and due to illness, I feel I will be fortunate to live much longer than they did. I don't own a house and have always rented, so I will always have to spend a large proportion of my state pension on rent. I have managed to save a good deal and have calculated that my savings would last me well into my eighties, living the same as I do now. That is, providing I keep working for the next 3 years and paying off my investments. It's a real conundrum knowing whether to err on the side of caution or whether to just throw caution to the wind.

[@vespadventures4557]

I agree. We're in the position that while we own this house (with mortgage), the current mortgage rates and energy costs mean we are just treading water at the moment and covering our bills, without really adding to any savings or investments - meanwhile getting older by the day...

[@ordric1964]

Excellent video. I'm the same age as you and also thinking along the same lines. Can I afford to retire? Can I afford not to? My wife is a cancer survivor which rammed home the lesson about enjoying life whilst we can.

[@andrewbarlow2976]

Absolutely, that must bring it home just how fragile life can be - good luck

[@giveupwork]

well put - you need to put you n julie first in your thinking

[@vespadventures4557]

I think health is more important than wealth!