Our Journey From Zero to Financial Freedom

38 Years Old in debt and little net worth, we started over and built our retirement, never went back into debt and built a new financially stable life.
How we made a success emigrating to Canada from the UK in our late thirties with very little money but had a solid work ethic to make a success of emigrating. In a short period of time, getting better jobs and buying a home. With two small children we were able to have a great standard of living, give our children university education and look forward to a comfortable retirement. This is how we did.
We started retirement savings late, in just 18 years we managed to turn $16,000 into a sizeable investment to provide for all our retirement needs.
Sharing our story in this video, our immigrant story we are trying to encourage evryone to start saving no matter how late it is. This is how we financed retirement without earning big salaries.
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[@laurie2218]

An excellent video. You demonstrate how setting life goals and perseverance pays off and now you’re doing it again with your KZbin channel. Very inspiring.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks so much Laurie glad you enjoyed it have a wonderful weekend Cheers 🌺🙂

[@John-fh3yp]

What an inspiring story you have shared! My wife and I also immigrated to the US 35 years ago from China with little money. We worked, saved, paid the taxes and raised two productive children. Things were tough at the beginning, and we had to live frugally, but my wife insisted on not applying for any public assistance. She was more afraid to become comfortable and dependent on receiving the welfare, thus losing self respect. We invested our savings on accumulating shares of McDonald’s, Pfizer, and Coca-Cola and were able to retire early at age 56. I still remember I had $120 to spend on eating out one time, and decided to buy 3 shares of Coca-Cola instead. Now we are in retirement, but often hesitate to spend. We are glad that you are setting a good example for us.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

What a great story John very inspiring you definitely bought in three great stocks ! it’s one of the hardest things to do to shift from saving to spending have a great weekend Cheers 🌺🙂

[@lindadorman2869]

Your story is an inspiration! I wish I learned to save/invest when I was young. But I spent every dollar I earned until I was 60. Then I panicked when I realized I had nothing to retire on, so I started my own business, paid off all my debt, lived on 35% of my income and put 65% into high yield savings. Now age 63, I'm debt-free with enough savings, Social Security and pension income to live comfortably. The most important change for me has been to be content with what I have, and not wanting the big house, new car or other things.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks Linda also sounds you have done a great saving job in only 3 years congratulations 🥳 that’s awesome being content does help a lot have a great weekend Cheers 🌺🙂🇺🇸🇨🇦

[@wb6354]

How did you decide on what type of business to start? Did you go franchise?

[@carolnavan4137]

21 May 1988 I arrived from Ireland. $9000 CAD after selling everything in Ireland. Many great opportunities ( mostly to work really hard 😂), save, save save. Raised a bunch of kids, retired early at 60. Own my home free and clear, on land overlooking the ocean. Opportunities that never would have happened had I stayed in Ireland. Love this country. Best move ever.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for sharing Carol Happy Mother’s Day 🌺🙂

[@nzrabbit77]

My wife is 49 and I'm 45, I really want us to be able to retire early and travel. Our kids are 6 and 9 now. Working on saving and paying down our mortgage really fast in New Zealand

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Sounds like a great plan keep at it 🙂🍻

[@hermacoutts8587]

Thanks for sharing your story, Tina and Norm. My parents with 5 children under 7 immigrated to Vancouver Island in 1957 from the Netherlands. My dad had $50 in his pocket and my parents managed to give us a great life. Soon after arriving they bought their first house and kept upgrading. My mom worked hard as well, keeping to a small household budget. We are so fortunate to be in Canada and we’re all grateful that our parents saw a better future in Canada.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

That’s wonderful Herma guess we have a lot in common with your parents and agree very grateful to be living in Canada 🇨🇦🙂🌺

[@desertfish6239]

Your story is inspiring! We bought our home in 1997 at a rate of 8%. When rates dropped we refinanced. When they dropped again we refinanced and cut our loan term to 15 years. The payment really did not go up much. We kept putting extra onto the principle each month and paid off in 10 years. We retired early last year. What a great feeling.

[@rustykatt3870]

Congrats desertfish! 👍

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Great story thanks for sharing 🙂

[@Gurkha9]

I came to Canada as an immigrant from England in the 70’s as a pre teen. Having started investing in my rrsp in my 20’s, it enabled me to retire before 60. However after 50 years here it’s time to move on to warmer destinations in SE Asia.

[@roberttaylor5764]

I came to Canada 45 years ago with $5,000 with no job and retired in 2003 with a company pension and paid cash for everything and never ever borrowed money for anything!

[@bluetocop]

mom told me it does not matter how much you make but how much you save

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

What great advice from your mom especially on Mother’s Day weekend 🌺🙂

[@danielle7292]

That was a really interesting story. Thanks for sharing Tina and Norm 😊

[@Jacquie_Kirk_111]

Thanks so much for sharing your story. I was brought up in severe poverty and never got any inheritance. I lived frugally, put myself through university, saved more, and retired at 55. We are so lucky to have our health! Jacquie in Canada 🇨🇦

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Sound like you did a great job Jacquie we think retiring early does help health wise Cheers 🙂🌺

[@jethro1963]

I don't think many people know how to live frugally or realize how much they spend. You can have vices but you shouldn't have all the vices. It was ironic that I only made what I consider good money the last few years before I retired at 58 and couldn't stand working anymore. I don't think I ever made over 35k for most of my life. What do we spend money on that we don't need to: smoking, drinking, recreational drugs, fast food, gambling, all expensive clothes, coffee addiction, smartphones, cable TV. Yes, I have never had a cellphone or thought I needed one, somehow we were able to survive in the days before cellphones. If you eliminate just one of those "vices" you could save thousands a year to invest in your future.

[@jethro1963]

Now some people might say living frugally is boring but my interests don't cost money. All seniors should know that there are many things that you can get for free, legally. Things like open source software. There is high end free software for almost any application you would need. I'll stop here because for some reason my posts disappear when I get too specific

[@jethro1963]

@@ThisIsOurRetirement Depending on where you live you can replace cable TV with an old fashioned TV antenna. Aside from the main networks there are now added subnet channels. You don't need a special "digital" antenna" that's bogus, any old time antenna will do. Canada and the US and many other countries have online free ad supported television services where you can watch tons of live channels and tons and tons of movies.

[@Jay-xb6nc]

Wow! You two lovely people are now my new heroes. Happy I found your channel. Way to go!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Yay! Thank you! welcome to our channel 🌺🙂

[@PaulHarbuz]

This is very much my story ! We left the UK in 2001 after living on a bank overdraught and credit card debts. We paid off all debts and moved as a family of 6 to Western Australia. I retired in 2022 at 59 ! This is the lucky country You guys are great , me and the wife have been watching you from your early days , carry on the good work 🥰👍

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Wow seems lots of us were in big debt in the UK 🇬🇧 then paid it off to start a new life awesome Cheers 🙂🌺

[@marysvoboda6181]

So inspiring. Thanks for being willing to share the details of your story.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

You are so welcome! Cheers Mary 🌺🙂

[@donettesis6155]

I really admire you. My husband worked for 20 years with no retirement, and now at 63 and 65 we are both still working full time making up for lost retirement funds. This is not the way we wanted our retirement years to go.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Sorry to hear that 🌺

[@freedomlife3623]

Enrolled in ESL program at Brock University in late 90’s, learned English & Programming. Loved Canada & never looked back. I paid my tax & voted every election. Thanks for the opportunities Canada has provided to immigrants like me. What a great country that we can call home & be proud of. Reached my financial independent last year, will retire next year. Thanks for Norm & Tina for sharing your experience and insights.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

That’s awesome 👏

[@debmulder7236]

I appreciate hearing your story and I can appreciate your journey. You spoke English (which was a huge bonus) and you actually came with something more than empty suitcases. I think about my dad’s journey (and the journey so many new Canadians)- the need to learn to speak, read and write English and start with nothing except for the clothes on his back and an empty suitcase full of dreams. I realize that my dad was amazing.

[@waffles1ca]

Always live within your means and pay your self first. Cheers

[@Duke_of_Prunes]

When I saw the title of the video AND Norm's Led Zeppelin T-shirt, I was really hoping to hear Norm sing "The Immigrant Song" 😫

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

That’s too funny 😂😂😂

[@ryanm7171]

Great story, Tina and Norm. My mother also came to this country as an immigrant with just $100 and her suitcase. She was also able to work hard like you, save her money, and buy a home. Canada can be a great opportunity for hard-working immigrants to enjoy and prosper. Thanks for coming to Canada back then, and like I am with my mom, this Mother's Day, I'm sure your kids appreciate you for coming to Canada.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Lovely comment Ryan enjoy your Mother’s Day , she saw a great opportunity like we did Cheers 🍻🙂🌺

[@Jocantral]

Wonderful to hear your personal story. Thank you for sharing it. It reminded me of our own struggles - 2 mortgages, lay offs for hubby in construction, lines of credit etc. Sometimes I believe the Boomers are ridiculed for having had it too easy. Things are more difficult now, but it was no cake walk for us either. Very happy that you are enjoying what you worked hard for. Jo

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Totally agree Jo we Boomers didn’t have it easy we had huge morgage interest rates, and learned a lot of financial lessons the hard way !! Life definitely wasn’t a bed of roses 🌹. Have a wonderful weekend Cheers 🍷🙂🌺

[@davisholman8149]

Yep - they don’t realize when I was 24 & my husband was 29 we were expecting our first child. We bought our first little home - had to pay 13% interest! Hard to believe - just to feel good about bringing our baby home to a place we actually owned!👶🏻

[@CarenMagill]

Ha! I worked at sellers! Great story. Thx for sharing

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for watching! a small World 🙂

[@hemacdonald400]

Your saving and retirement story is so much like our own. Having a plan and executing it is the key to success. We sold our condo almost a year ago and are now renting. You inspired us to consider renting, which we have done and couldn’t be happier. You have built a solid life here in Canada and your story is inspirational because you supported your family while sticking to your plan.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you so much and we are so happy that we inspired you to your plan of selling and renting in your retirement giving you happiness Cheers 🍷🙂🍻🌺

[@lovinggoldens4183]

That’s the key no debt and save as much as you can.. before retiring. Live within your means. Thks for sharing .. 🇨🇦

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

That's right and sometimes hard to do 🤔

[@lovinggoldens4183]

@@ThisIsOurRetirement yes life can throw curve balls

[@tamaramadelin4831]

I totally agree and I learned my lesson about credit cards early...After graduating college I lived it up in Europe for 3 months, but paid that debt off and never did that again!! We have no debt except home mortgage, are retired at 49 and have a VERY affordable mortgage in Portugal! We live, travel and enjoy life, but the key is...Below our means! Great info and insight Norm and Tina!!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for watching have a great weekend Cheers 🇵🇹🍷🇨🇦🌺

[@johnnyboyvan]

Thanks for sharing the enlightening narrative. You are clearly proud 👏 Canadians. I love these types of stories.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you enjoyed it! have a great weekend Johnny Cheers 🍻🙂

[@pintsizestories196]

I like your point of taking any job to begin with. Both my sons were telemarketers after graduating from university. Not exactly glamorous jobs! Now they both have good jobs and have houses although still paying mortgages but they aren't 40 yrs. old yet. One son bought a house that a raccoon had done a number on - chewed through the roof and made a terrible mess. He turned it into a very nice house and sold it 5 years later for a good profit. He did the work on the house himself while he was working at a full-time job. You made so many good decisions along the way and now you are reaping the benefits.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for sharing 🙂

[@stanconrad2609]

A true example of making a plan and working the plan. Thank you for sharing.

[@karolw.5208]

A very inspiring story, hope young people are listening. We arrived in Canada ten years before you and at first had other priorities but also, being from Eastern Europe, knew nothing about investing for the future. We picked up on this later - thanks, The Wealthy Barber - and today can laugh at our fears and ignorance from forty years ago.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for sharing! have a great weekend Cheers 🙂🍷🍻

[@billyrock8305]

Thanks for sharing. The best advice I can offer is “act your wage”. Avoid all forms of debt. Our family immigrated here on a boat. Half of us died at sea. Living in daily starvation was a normal daily existence. Canada is pure heaven. It’s shocking hearing the stupid things Canadians complain about today. 🇨🇦

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for sharing Billy Canada 🇨🇦 is a wonderful place to live Cheers 🍻🙂

[@freedomlife3623]

So sorry about your loss and starvation 😂experience escaping to Canada. I do agree with you Canada is heaven for immigrants. We can make very good living if you put in the good work.

[@rbanker76]

So very sad about your family. You have such a wonderful attitude and we fully agree with you about priorities to be worrying about!

[@JuneAdams-li9sy]

Congratulations on making a plan, working your plan and, even more, on jointly adhering to the plan despite all events that could have thrown you off course. 😀

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks June we just wanted to share to others that you can achieve results with a plan have a wonderful weekend Cheers 🍷🙂

[@joeo1168]

Thank you for sharing a very personal story. This is what the KZbin platform should champion. Great public service.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Our pleasure! thank you 🙂👍

[@soniamoss734]

Great video! No nonsense "Heads down, bums up" philosophy works most times.💪

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you enjoyed it Sonia 🌺🙂

[@kcirdorb9591]

Thank you for sharing your story. Young people need to hear this.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for listening

[@tombkk1322]

Great story, Tina and Norm. I’m 65 and struggling to start spending in my retirement. It seems difficult to stop chasing that imaginary number that keeps moving. I admire your traveling and enjoying retirement.

[@list-and-sell]

We are Canadians living in the US since 1990. We moved here from Germany and brought our German credit card with us - we experienced exactly what you did Norm and Tina. We were able to buy a house with the money we saved while living in Europe but to get a mortgage we had to basically provide enough personal/business information so that the bank could put together a credit check. It was dicey - we weren't sure that providing our bank statements (in German) and our german landlord's contact information would work. It's like we hadn't existed before arriving in the states. We've come through some tough times but have recently retired and are enjoying traveling and our lives of leisure. Thanks for sharing your back story with us.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for sharing your story too have a great weekend Cheers 🍷🙂🇺🇸🇨🇦

[@DerrySky]

A great achievement. Thanks for sharing your story, you are such a lovely couple, Congratulations on your success!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you so much!🙂

[@paulhunter6652]

Hi Norm and Tina! Great story and we are both living the Canadian dream. We also had a copy of the wealthy Barber and put money towards retirement and paying down our mortgage. We paid off our house in 16 years. We were fortunate to have some great camping vacations and trips south. Similar outcomes. We are spending the money in our go go years while we still have health. We just booked Iceland Air for a trip to Finland in the fall. Life is good. Cheers! Paul and Helen. PS. Great shirt Norm. Recently saw Jason Bonham The Led Zeppelin experience for the third time, Plant and Page in the nineties. Took a bus tour in the late seventies from kitchener and saw Led Zeppelin at Pontiac Stadium in Detroit.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Amazing Paul how many of us saved 💰through reading the Wealthy Barber 💈 wow Finland sounds good we have flown with Iceland Air before have a great weekend Cheers 🙂🍻🍷🌺

[@alandusautoy8204]

Great to hear your story. We emigrated from the UK to Ottawa in 2010. There appears to be more opportunity here. Have fun!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you! Will do! have a great weekend Alan 🍻🙂

[@OlegScherbina]

there were more opportunities in 80th and 90th when house cost $130K not $1.3M like now.

[@goldwest53]

We are 67 and 71, getting ready to retire to hit the road. It’s never too late. ❤

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

We wish you all the best 🙂

[@seanfrank4158]

A great lesson for many of us to learn no matter what age you are. Live BELOW your MEANS. It can be a struggle...especially when you're constantly bombarded by ads and offers every day. If you can stay the course and avoid bad debt then you can make it work for sure.

[@jvstcu76]

It's so uplifting to see that your experience in England with overspending on your credit cards(as most people unfortunately do) and not paying them off actually was a great lesson for you. (I did the same thing in my younger years 😂). Your perseverance in staying financially responsible after arriving in Canada is certainly a testament to your characters. Most people just don't seem to realize that "delayed gratification" will assure you of a much brighter future. I do think that because both of you were "on the same page" working together to attain your goals you were successful. That is the key that made your early retirement possible. Thanks for sharing your story as it is so inspirational to me. Looking forward to watching what adventures you will be enjoying this summer. Take care and have a great weekend. 😊

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks John we really appreciate your support have a great weekend Cheers 🍻🙂🍷

[@swatigee]

Great video! We moved from Canada to the US in the 90s and built our family life here. Our Canadian (SE Ontario) friends’ homes have all gone up in price since the 90s from 200k all the way to 1 million and beyond. It’s insane - too bad we missed that boat by moving to the US. On the other hand, home prices are very cheap here. There is no way that we can use the proceeds from our home - which we own - to fund our retirement. It just wouldn’t be enough. All of our friends and relatives in Ontario tend to think that real estate investments are a sure thing in that they will always be lucrative. It is not the case where we live, but then again, a young family can easily buy a house here. It was informative to hear your immigrant story.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

You can’t look back you made a decision and it has worked for you , it’s an advantage that you can buy a reasonable priced house which you can’t here in Canada 🇨🇦. Have a great weekend Cheers 🇨🇦🍷🇺🇸🙂

[@sulemanpiracha8123]

Very inspiring story! We moved to the USA in 1994 from Germany,I had an excellent job in Germany and got an excellent job with six figure salary in the US , but could not retire in 18 years. The reason was 'living beyond our means'. 😠 Finally retired in end of 2023!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for sharing 🙂

[@buttonskat]

It is much harder if you are single and have kids. I paid my mortgage off but have a 130000 home equity that I owe. I also ahve have been off work since 2022 Jan due to Covid. I am a nurse and now I am missing out on the new contract wage. I has set me back. The only way to pay off the home equity is to sell my home . It is very stressful. I also have my two grown kids and two grandchildren with me and I am the one who pays for everything. I will be 65 in November and I stress thinking if I can afford to stay in my house.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

It must be very difficult for you hope things work out for you 🌺

[@scott1441]

Great story, thanks guys. Auto saving is the way to go - when my son graduated and starting working, I opened a ROTH IRA in his name with the auto saving feature.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for sharing auto saving you don’t miss it Scott Cheers 🍻🙂

[@deborahdownie8039]

Thanks for sharing your personal story Tina and Norm. My husband and I retired early as well. Paying off your credit cards every month is so important, as well as saving off the top of your pay cheque. We definitely made some mistakes along the way. Like you, we tried to learn from them and make smarter decisions moving forward.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

That is awesome! Cheers Deborah 🙂🍷

[@jovicrazed]

18 years is impressive. Did you know that The Bay has resurected Zellers and some of their stores now have Zellers sections? Love The Wealthy Barber! I'm a completely debt free home owner in my early 50s and expect to retire early just don't know when.

[@MarleneGreen]

Thanks Norm & Tina for sharing the details of your financial journey and reminding folks that with stable monthly income, consistent savings, no debt & a retirement investment plan, everything is possible no matter how late you start. Cheers!

[@ellebelle8515]

Great lesson about how planning, hard work, and sacrifice- as well as avoiding credit card debt- can create the life you planned for. Thank you for sharing.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Your very welcome Elle Cheers 🙂🍷🌺

[@paulbunyon6324]

Good story and you did well. I was also taught to "pay yourself first" and avoid debt as much as possible. You were also quite lucky, as I have been with timing on the various markets. Housing in Canada is still stuck in a massive bubble that was driven by insanely low interest rates and cheap money that corporations like Blackrock and Vanguard have used to further inflate the housing market. I paid off my house early as well and continued to invest. It has become quite obvious to me now that the economy as a whole is totally skewed from reality and our currency is at a high risk of collapsing. I made the bold move of cashing in my investments and getting out of the banking system as much as a I can practically. I have parked my cash into physical gold and silver (real money) and continue to live comfortably in retirement.

[@JasVal-bm5th]

Your story is an inspiration. Love ur guys

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you.

[@Earlofmar1]

As a tradesman, I took little to no risk in moving to Australia when I was 23 (I had no kids). So I have to applaud you for a) wearing your Led Zeppelin tee shirt, and b) being so ballsy to take on the challenge. Life has obviously worked out well (for both of us), so stay mobile and healthy.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

So glad it’s worked for both of us 🙂

[@MrGearoid65]

Fantastic story Tina and Norm. Congratulations on pulling yourselves up by the bootstraps and making such a success of your move to Canada. 🎉🎉Continued good health to you both. Keep the videos coming. They're thoroughly entertaining and inspiring! 😊😊

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you so glad you enjoyed it have a great weekend Cheers 🍻🙂

[@arseniang9464]

What an inspiring story! Thank you for sharing. Keep well and stay healthy.

[@robertross8565]

Unbelievable story. We are so happy to have you in Canada.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you Robert we are glad to be here 🍻🙂🇨🇦

[@joebobby905]

Thanks for sharing your story, you guys are living the Canadian dream. Happy retirement 😊

[@williamsion3000]

Good Health is everything!!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

We agree 🙂

[@andyburton8346]

A Great Story and well done you both look very happy looking forward to more Videos all the best from back home 🇬🇧

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@pattiebravata7462]

Love Norm's tee shirts. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. You are an adorable couple.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you so much! 🙂

[@brians7419]

What an awesome story! Thanks so much for sharing. I am so impressed that you had a plan and worked the plan. As a retiree, I agree with you to spend in retirement. As you said, if you don’t, your kids will when your gone.

[@wiguy3673]

Thanks for sharing your fabulous story. You're spot on by saying pay yourself first by tucking savings away before you see it. Credit card debt is a terrible trap that is so hard to dig out of. It is legalized "loan sharking" for the big banks. Best to beat them at their own game by paying off credit card bill monthly and never carry a balance . Cheers.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Totally agree we learned our lesson the hard way with Credit Card 💳 debt , always pay it off in full Cheers 🙂😂

[@SThakur]

Tina & Norm, your kindness truly shines through in sharing your inspiring story. It's incredible how your journey can motivate and calm the nerves of so many. What an amazing and smart duo you both are!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you so much! have a wonderful evening 🙂

[@jgheart3018]

Wow, it felt like this video ended so abruptly...glad you stated that the two of you worked together on creating your retirement plans and sharing how the money was being spent and how that spending/saving was going to work for your future.

[@DeanRamser]

Excellent videos! Thank you both!!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dawnmarazzi8283]

You both are an inspiration! I have referred my friends to your channel many times and enjoy your common sense approach!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Awesome, thank you! 🌺🙂

[@gracedagostino5231]

Excellent immigration story! I had to laugh when you said your first day in Canada you never experienced cold like that. My family left Toronto for Los Angeles in 1958, when I was only 4. The people across the street from me left London England for Toronto in 1985, and lasted for 15 years, as they couldn't take the cold anymore. They have lived in Southern California ever since. What is funny though is they don't identify with Canada and fly the UK and American flags together. Where I fly the American and Canadian flags, because my ancestors have been in Toronto since 1895, coming from Italy. I still love the Toronto Maple Leafs, where they could care less about Hockey, and follow the English Premier league.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Great story Grace thanks for sharing 🇺🇸 🙂🇨🇦🍷

[@DanaLuvsNature]

I like that you guys are so humble. You respond so kindly to poor people like us enjoying your channel so I am elated to know you are financially free, you both deserve it. We are retired, own a modest home, but considered low income though we don't struggle. Due to unforceen circumstances, we are okay but we expected so much more. Just glad we are healthy and alive. God Bless You both ❤

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

We wish you both well 🌺

[@dellnichols4625]

You had a goal and created ways to fulfill your goal. Such an important part of the outcome. Great video!

[@nilagetter1705]

Thank you for sharing! We are also big savers. My husband retired at 55 and I semi retired at 63. Set your plan and the follow it!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

That is awesome! just remember to spend some of that money 💰 enjoying experiences with each other 🙂

[@dianaj3139]

While I have always loved the bands like Led Zeplin I must say I also really like Tina's shirt! She is adorable in it! It actually reminds me of a shirt I had in my 20's and she is rockin it!! As always enjoy your story of working toward and enjoying retirement. I retired early because I had several health scares at a young age... After retirement I felt so much LESS stress and happier to be doing things I wanted to do around the home that I had put off because of being too busy! I traveled many different countries and across the USA and Canada ... No regrets quitting early!! :) I always loved Hiking in Nature and still get to do that as I live close to the mountains. past 10 years many trips to Hawaii, Europe, and Mexico with hiking being a part of that!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks so much Diana Tina actually bought the top in Portugal 🇵🇹 she loves the colour too 🍷🌺🙂

[@mozerm]

Wonderful story. I know the Canada Trust and Bank of Montreal you’re taking about as I live in Kanata too. Thanks for sharing this!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Hi neighbour 😂😂

[@K-ls2kd]

Thank you for sharing! I hope it gives inspiration to young people starting out!

[@pattylyman7907]

Our story mirrors yours except for the immigration. First card. Sears. Paid in full monthly. Used cars. Got jobs in the city so great retirement benefits for the future. Kept these jobs even under stressful times with the goal in sight. All raises and bonuses into IRA. Bought a house for 40k as a rental. Did all the hard, dirty work to remodel ourselves Sold for a great profit. Put in IRA. Retired at 58. Congrats to us!!! And to you!

[@barbbouma4838]

Love your transparency. So much wisdom in your videos and love your calm and fun demeanor ❤❤❤

[@brucebelcher4995]

This is your best video. It's great. I'm glad that things went well for you, and I wish the best to your kids. My Dad's male ancestor (Jeremiah Belcher) immigrated from England to America in the winter of 1634 - 1635. My family had lived in Guilsboro, Northamptonshire for several generations before that.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you so much Bruce!

[@daviddean6032]

This is very inspirational Norm and Tina. ❤ By the way, I just watched your video again when you visited Nova Scotia !

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Awesome! Thank you! have a great weekend David 🍻🙂

[@lauriekay6214]

Thanks for sharing your personal inspirational story. Good for both of you! Now you are realizing the rewards of your well thought out plan.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Yes! Thank you Laurie!

[@brigittecrawley1872]

Great to hear how you got to retire early. Not all of us have been that lucky but we enjoy your travels and are happy you could proper in a new country.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks so much! have a great weekend Cheers 🙂🍻

[@roxie0648]

Another great video!! Your personal testimony to financial freedom…TY for sharing with the audience.

[@dlg5485]

I went thru the same learning process concerning credit cards. I so regret the poor money decisions I made in those days, which set me back years on my journey toward retirement. Eventually, I got it together and got debt free. Now, I am in my mid 50s and investing about 45% of my income on top of an additional 5 or 6 percent from my employer. I am now on track to retire at age 62, which would have been unthinkable 20 years ago. Great story!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for sharing and watching our story Cheers 🍻🙂

[@danield9182]

Wonderful and inspiring story. Thank you so much for sharing.♥️♥️

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

You are so welcome! 🙂

[@northstar19571]

I just found your channel and have watched 3 videos back-to-back. Thank you! You are renting now rather than living in a paid off home? Please do a video on what renting looks like as a retiree. We are retiring in 2024 and have many years to go on our mortgage but it is only 2.5% interest, so I'm not too eager to sell, pay off the loan and use the equity to rent. But, maybe I just need to know more about how that works.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Welcome to our channel we have done videos on this and have another covering it coming out in a couple of weeks . For us it worked great Cheers 🍷🙂🍻

[@fornow5325]

Hi Tina and Norm! Thanks again for the wonderful video. I think that a lot of people were making the same mistake with the credit cards debt at those days because it was new and there was no education on credit card usage. our home country operated on cash, and our parents thought that debt was something terrible. When we immigrated to US, we still were afraid to use more than it was in the wallet, but our daughter, a pharmaceutical student at that time, thought that she could freely spend a 5000 credit line on her newly obtained credit card. We had to explain her that she should treat the credit card as a wallet where she put money she earned.

[@lovethomassowell]

Thank you, Norm & Tina! My favorite video so far!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Our pleasure! glad you enjoyed it Cheers 🍷🙂🌺

[@TracyKMainwaring]

it's so hard now to pay rent and save for a down payment. Even saving 10%, the cost of homes is going up more than people can save while they wait. We bought our first home in '98 and we wouldn't be able to now, even with our decent income

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

We do agree it’s a lot harder now , if it was us over again we would consider moving to a way cheaper province to be able to make it work Tracy Cheers 🌺🙂

[@SurpriseMeJT]

Imagine paying for university for 2 children today. The cost of education has also risen exponentially. I'm going to make my kids take out loans and to pay for it themselves. If I can afford it, I'll pay off their loan if they didn't drop out of college nor study something which didn't create employment opportunities.

[@davidmaclachlan]

Thanks for sharing your journey. Continued happiness to you both.

[@PeggyWithAPassport]

WOW ! My son and I love you both …..but love you MORE since this video ! What an inspiration. Stay safe. Teen , HAPPY MOTHER’S Day. ❤❤❤

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks so much Peggy and Happy Mother’s Day to you too 🌺🙂❤️

[@donnahartnell5573]

Thank you for sharing your story! I really enjoy you channel.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks Donna 🍷🌺🙂

[@clivelangham435]

Congratulations. It's a very inspiring story.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you Clive Cheers 🙂🍻

[@sarashann]

A fantastic message you've brought to folks today. Avoid credit card debt! Live within one's means!

[@RetiredLovingIt]

Paying yourself first is a great principle

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

We totally agree have a great weekend guys Cheers 🇺🇸☕️🇨🇦🙂

[@paulachristie7807]

We did the same and got to retire young also.

[@caroleanne8529]

This was a very inspiring video, something young married couples could learn from. One of the many excellent points is that when you got to Canada with your $16K, you were willing to take any job to get started. So many of today's young people will only accept a job that they think they want to do and as a result, live in their parent's basement. You had a plan, you did everything you could to stick to that plan and you have done well. Thanks for a great video. Enjoy your life - you earned it!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks so much Caroleanne have a wonderful weekend Cheers 🍷🙂

[@saversavvy2670]

I always encouraged my kids to get summer jobs doing whatever was available close by so I could drive them there. Also when they got old enough to drive themselves. It helps so much with references for their full-time jobs latter. Also don't care if they live with us until they have down payment ready for a house. My two oldest are looking for a house now. They are 21 and 24. They help with groceries and around the house. They pay all their car, insurances, and Healthcare. They have not been a burden and now they can own and not fall into the rent trap. I am going to miss them being here so much but I am so proud of them saving 125,000.00 for the down payment!🌞

[@annapower9799]

Thank you for sharing this story! Been there. Done that! Feels good to survive on the other side of debt!!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

It really is Anna thanks for watching Cheers 🍷🙂🌺

[@ThinkingQueenNiqco]

I love your story.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you so much 🌺🙂

[@NickAlbu]

Love your videos guys, I'm two years away and you are helping me come to terms with my fears. Suggestion - when you make a video with obvious sections like this one, can you create chapters so we can skip ahead if we want to?

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for watching

[@susanacton5007]

Our stories are so similar - we were smiling and nodding along with you. Arrived July 1981 from the UK, with a 2 year old and $14,000 - $3300 of which went to pay for an ugly green Chevette! Retired at 58 & 60 and have travelled all over Canada and some of the US in our RV the past 10 years. Off to the Yukon later this year. Well done guys - love your channel. You are so genuine

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you Susan sounds like a lot in common we appreciate your support and glad you enjoy our channel . Happy Mother’s Day Cheers 🙂🌺🍷

[@paulachristie7807]

Not an immigrant story, I live in California, a few years ago my Husband and I drove to Alaska. Our time driving across the Yukon was the most memorable. The Yukon is a beautiful, beautiful place, I hope you love it as much as we did. Drive the Cassiar (not sure I’m spelling that right) Highway if you get a chance. An RV is the perfect way to go.

[@susanacton5007]

@@paulachristie7807 Thanks Paula - we are really excited about this one. My husband drove truck for 44 years - even drove the Alaska ice roads in his misspent youth, but never Yukon.

[@bw5277]

Thank you for sharing your story. I'm sure many of us have made our share of financial blunders. Enjoy your travels!

[@44lgarden]

Another great story and love the advice provided. I retired on my 60th birthday last summer. I was able to do so by paying off my mortgage over 21 years even being a single income household as my wife took care of the kids and the home. After paying off the mortgage we were able to save plenty afterwards.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

That is awesome! well done 🌺🙂

[@kevinobrien5450]

Great video. I moved to the US from the UK in 1994. So just celebrating 30 years here. I already had a job lined up as it was a requirement of the H1B visa. I was single at the time but dating. Two years later got married and my new wife then moved from the UK to the US with me. I probably had about $6k in savings when I made the move in 1994. Was able to get a loan for a car, and a couple of weeks after getting the money and buying the car, got a letter from the bank stating they had declined my loan. Since I already had the money, I just ignored the letter! Now in my late fifties and hoping to retire by 61. House will be paid off in 2 years. The only debt I'll have left at that point is student loans for my offspring, but we will downsize and use the proceeds to pay off the student loans. On paper we are multi-millionaires but it doesn't feel like it to be honest. Not complaining though!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for sharing your story Kevin have a wonderful weekend Cheers 🇺🇸🍷🇨🇦🍻

[@kathyb6689]

This is a great video. Very similar story. Credit card issues in my twenties lead to a bankruptcy. Because I couldn't get credit, learned to budget and live within my means. Read the WB book and was saving the 10%. Eventually bought a townhouse and met my husband who had a townhouse. We're renting both now. Selling those will allow us to retire early. Good advice to have a plan and stick to it. Love your videos.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for sharing! we appreciate your support and glad you enjoy our videos Cheers Kathy 🌺🙂🍷