HOW TO MAKE 2025 YOUR BEST YEAR YET!!

[@morefoolme67]

Happy Thanksgiving Wendy. I really enjoy you and your videos. I'm turning 57 next month and I was able to retire at 53. Retirement life is wonderful. I love my mornings with my hot coffee and my purring cat next to me. I wish you happiness and health now and always.

[@halstonandharleys]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and happy upcoming fabulous birthday! Yay for you on retiring!!! I am so looking forward to my mornings just belonging to me, myself and I and not 'punching' a clock no more. I wish you all the best too and maybe we can do a podcast early next year as I believe you would have valuable insight and tips on retiring early! Hugs!

[@janetjaken1389]

Will turn 70 but I feel 20 years younger. I will not give up my wild dreams even if they stay dreams. I enjoy every day sitting in the warm sun watching my dogs play. Give me a good meal , a good walk and crazy ideas and it's a great day 😊

[@halstonandharleys]

Well said Janet, I love this!!! Wild dreams and crazy ideas are where it's at!! Hugs!!

[@Artsylady2030]

I hope snd pray 2025 is a better year for me. 2024 was the worst year of my life. So many horrible tragedies in my life.

[@julieelvin7639]

Wishing you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2025🙏

[@BEACHDUDE71]

I hope it gets better for me

[@halstonandharleys]

I am so sorry to hear that. It was a trying year for a lot of us. Sending prayers and hugs your way dear lady!

[@clock99times]

I haven’t been getting my notifications for your channel, I did get this one though. I am so glad to see you!

[@stephaniet9264]

Same here. Haven't been getting notifications either.

[@halstonandharleys]

Oh no! Well, that is YT for you. Glad to see you too, hugs!!

[@VeiledDancer]

I’m so happy for you on picking out your retirement date! It’s an exciting time even though it can be a little scary during a big life change. You are going to love it! 😊

[@halstonandharleys]

I hope so too! Thank you for watching, hugs to you!!

[@lisaoconnell1365]

Love your channel, Wendy. I retired from the corporate world at 52 and it was the best thing I ever did. I replaced my income by creating online stores. I wake up every day excited about life. Congrats on setting your freedom date!

[@halstonandharleys]

Thank you so much and how wonderful to hear!! You wake up every day excited about life - never have more beautiful words been written!! Hugs!

[@SoloSecondHalf]

Great video. 59 and no end work date in sight 🤣Trying to figure it all out still. One of the first Gen X turning 60 in 2025. Crazy! I have my dreams of a tiny house down south, having a little garden and a couple chickens. We'll see. Started my KZbin channel thanks to the inspiration of people like you. We'll see where the journey goes. 1000% right about keeping the childhood joy. Stay engaged no matter your age. Thanks Wendy!

[@halstonandharleys]

Thank you for sharing and I understand - some days I feel like I have half a clue and others not so much! Focus on that little house and garden with chickens in the back yard and you shall have it. Glad to hear you have a channel - it is nice to see more and more Gen X and the like getting into this as I think it builds a good online community where we can learn from one another. Yes to childhood joy and magic, hugs!!

[@michelleg4715]

I agree with you. Life is too short. You should go and do whatever is calling you.

[@halstonandharleys]

Yes, thank you for sharing Michelle! Life is too short and we weren't meant to spend it working the entire time. Hugs!!

[@stscc2009]

I hear ya on the money in savings. My investments far out perform my high yield saving accounts. Congrats on the upcoming retirement. I understand completely where your coming from. Your words could be mine. I’ve been preparing myself both mentally and physically for changes I want to make in my future. I also want to downsize from my large home and land. I just need an apartment or townhome that’s pet friendly for my 3 dogs. I want to move somewhere that is completely new. I need a change. I’ve been here for coming up on 20 years. I don’t have one friend here. So I’ve been feeling stuck. You inspire me. Your doing it and making things happen for yourself. Way to go. I can’t wait to see what’s next for you.

[@halstonandharleys]

Thank you so much for sharing your story here! I understand the stuck feeling and just wanting something new - life is an adventure and how can we experience adventure if we never venture further out than our front door? I am looking forward to hearing all about your new adventure too, hugs!!

[@taurahelms3068]

Thanks!

[@halstonandharleys]

Thank you so much, you are so kind!!!!

[@Cassieroll]

Happy Thanksgiving, Wendy!!

[@halstonandharleys]

Thank you!! Hope you have a nice holiday and Thanksgiving as well!

[@Coconutoilcrazy]

Its the little things that excite me as well. Most recently, aloe pups! My niece gave me an aloe plant 2 yrs ago, it seemed dormant( it did live but not thriving) then Bam! It grew and produced 4 pups. Made my heart happy! It is funny how you talk about life- you nailed it, so many dont see it. Money is a necessary tool, it can build or destroy. Sadly, I have witnessed the devastation of money destroying. Being 62, I could begin to collect SS, at the expense of being penalized if I earn more than the Gov allows. I am fortunate where I enjoy my job and have an excellent employer and have no desire to stop working but I do want to collect what I have paid in,,,,,so, life goes on :) I work 30 - 34 hrs a week, giving me time to do what I want, while collecting decent pay for my time. An idea if your looking for subject matter for your channel- teaching what you know about investing, where to begin etc. Thank you for the input on life and this journey we are all on. Your insight is valuable!

[@halstonandharleys]

Yes, all of this - thank you so much for sharing! I may do that at some point next year or so, do some part time work that I actually enjoy that doesn't involve staring at a computer 40 hours a week, haha! Thank you for the suggestion on teaching, I don't think I am knowledgeable enough yet to teach others, I have shared a bit and did a video on my portfolio too. There is so much to learn though. Hugs!!

[@ajd6627]

Wishing you the best in 2025. You are in a wonderful position financially to go for your dreams. You seemed to have researched everything including the pitfalls you might encounter. I get what you're saying about appreciating the simpler things. Go for it!

[@halstonandharleys]

Thank you so much and I am not 100% sure I am spot on with everything, but who is for the most part? That is what makes life an adventure. I wish you all the best too in 2025 - hugs!!

[@asdasdasdas1008]

Some things you just have to try out to know if it’s your thing. I love how you talk energy into us all, because living in regret is painful. I have been there as well…I am looking forward to see how your dividend investment will work out.

[@halstonandharleys]

Yes, agreed and thank you so much for your kind words, wow! I have spent years here and there living in regret and for no benefit whatsoever and a lot of time wasted. A lot of people do, it is human nature and part of us and how we tick. Energy is where it's at and youthful exuberance helps a lot too! Hugs!

[@stevenmiller1031]

Thank you for sharing.

[@halstonandharleys]

Thank you for watching!

[@kelleytatman6977]

Listening to what you've got to say is interesting! I'm nearly 60 and nowhere near retirement--I need the income. But just a week ago dipped my toe into the stock market; that was after spending time learning about it which like you say is necessary. I'm conservative about risking my $$ but pushed on and bought stock. You're rate of return you quoted is very good! I spent my Turkey Day resting up at home and doing some cooking and sewing...similar to you I like my own company. I tuned briefly into Macy's parade that day and saw it was raining, but that didn't stop them huh? As far as music, it's Christmas-music season, so I think on New Years I'll listen to something new, Glenn Miller Orchestra christmas music for background. I found out he went to highschool in Fort Morgan, CO. He must have been a unique character, because back then that was a small town in the west, not his style. I know as I live in CO. Take care

[@halstonandharleys]

Hello Kelley and thank you for sharing!! So glad you decided to try some investing too. Glad to hear you had a nice Thanksgiving - same here, just spent it relaxing, did a YT video. I love Glenn Miller Orchestra, have an album or two from them. They are great! Never knew he went to school in Colorado! Hugs!

[@HeatherNokes]

I think go for it Wendy. Are you thinking about withdrawing savings and putting it in the stock market, maybe I am too cautious but the savings are a safety net in a much bigger way than car repairs. The stock market is much more volatile and who knows what might happen. Once your savings have been there for the first year they will probably offer you a loyalty rate, which would be around 4.6% right now. Or maybe you will only move a portion. Would be interested here what you decide.

[@halstonandharleys]

Thank you for sharing! I will not move all of it, but I don't need as much in savings as I currently have. I have savings that get 4.25% right now, it keeps dropping when the Fed drops rates, which is normal. Hugs!!

[@BEACHDUDE71]

Next winter I will unalive myself, if it doesn't get better 😢

[@halstonandharleys]

I am so sorry you feel that way and please get help if you can.

[@BEACHDUDE71]

@@halstonandharleys I'm trying

[@bwillsboys]

Hang in there it’ll get better

[@BEACHDUDE71]

@@bwillsboys I hope so

[@stephaniet9264]

Be careful when people give you unsolicited advice. They are bringing their fears and past problems to the table. It may be very well intentioned, but you must follow your inner guidance.

[@halstonandharleys]

100% agree!!! I always say this, it is your dreams, not theirs. Hugs!

[@Texasgirlinacrazyworld]

Well, to be honest, I just turned 47 & currently have no career or savings to speak of....🤦‍♀ Done various things over the years, but nothing I am really passionate about. Really enjoyed doing crisis work in the mountains, but I got sick and had to leave. Now, I need to start over, I want to learn how to be smarter with money...real estate investments or stocks...How do you suggest I start learning how do those dividend investments, Wendy?.....right now, I just have a high-yield savings account & a little Acorns account....

[@halstonandharleys]

Hello and thank you for sharing your thoughts with everyone! I didn't get into investing until about 2 1/2 years ago and have learned a lot, but still so much more to learn! I do subscribe to a few YT channels and also belong to a discord group for one of them and really enjoy it as so many members share what/how they are doing with investing. The channel can be found by searching for: unconventional wealth ideas. His name is Todd and does things a bit different but is very successful at it. Good luck and let me know if you have further questions. Hugs!!

[@Texasgirlinacrazyworld]

@@halstonandharleysThanks Wendy, I will check him out!!

[@CydPiper]

Hey Wendy good to see ya Happy TG 🦃Glad to hear things are going great for you. At 66yo, I'm not quite sure where I belong or where I need to be. Still trying to work due to have a GD car payment but pretty much ready to throw in the towel. Life can get pretty lonely as friends of mine have lives of their own; so, I try to make things work for myself either way like journaling or crochet. Would love to find the book: Utopia by Thomas More. Fictional in the Cinderella movie Ever After with Drew Barrymore but the ideology sounds interesting. sending lots of Love always our sweet free spirit friend 💕🌹🤗

[@halstonandharleys]

Happy Thanksgiving dear lady!! Car payments are a thorn in our sides! I was fortunate to be able to pay mine off a few years ago. Journaling is on my list to get into here shortly and I will have to look for that book too. Love and hugs right back at you!!

[@taurahelms3068]

I had books I allowed to sit on the wayside for a year. I was going to use Thanksgiving as the weekend to start editing them. All of them are lost now. I don't know what occurred with my laptop, but they are all gone. To be fair, I'm not trying to be Danielle Steel.

[@halstonandharleys]

Oh no! I am sorry you lost them, that is just awful. I hope you can find it in you to start again. Writing comes easy to me, but the hard part is actually doing it. Hugs to you!