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 🌺🙂

[@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 🌺🙂

[@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 🍻🙂🌺

[@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!

[@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.

[@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 🇨🇦🙂🌺

[@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 😂😂😂

[@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 🙂

[@waffles1ca]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 🌺

[@user-ns9pw2cd3x]

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 🙂🌺

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 🙂

[@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 🙂🍻

[@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!👶🏻

[@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 🍻🙂

[@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 🍷🙂🍻🌺

[@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 👏

[@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 🇵🇹🍷🇨🇦🌺

[@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

[@stanconrad2609]

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

[@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 🙂

[@williamsion3000]

Good Health is everything!!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

We agree 🙂

[@soniamoss734]

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

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you enjoyed it Sonia 🌺🙂

[@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 🇨🇦🍷🇺🇸🙂

[@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!

[@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 🍷🙂

[@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 🇺🇸 🙂🇨🇦🍷

[@kcirdorb9591]

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

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for listening

[@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.

[@robertross8565]

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

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

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

[@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 🙂👍

[@johnvsymons]

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 🍻🙂🍷

[@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 🙂🍷🍻

[@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 🍷🙂🇺🇸🇨🇦

[@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.

[@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 🙂😂

[@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!

[@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.

[@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 🍻🙂

[@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 🙂🍷🌺

[@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 🙂🍷

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 🌺

[@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

[@user-sz1qf4ft3z]

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

[@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! 🌺🙂

[@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.

[@floridastitcher1]

I got married right after you immigrated, on March 7, 1992. Glad to see how you were able to get jobs quickly. It seems harder now with having to apply online.

[@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 🙂

[@mroz8765]

Thanks for sharing your story, it was very uplifting. So happy that it has worked out so well for you. I always look for to your videos. 🍻

[@dellnichols4625]

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

[@wardogsgm51]

Thank you for sharing your story.

[@annethall]

Getting out of debt is the first key to success. Never use a credit card that you cannot pay off at due date unless it is a true emergency. That is how we roll. If a working couple can get by with one car, that will save a ton of $. We were lucky as one of us worked walking distance from home and the other was a 4 mile drive. We finally got rid of our beloved 26 year old car and our "new" car is 14 years old. Paid the house off many years ago too. We are millionaires now and now the problem is spending. We could go first class on a long fight but it doesn't seem right so we don't. We need therapy lol.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Great story Anne a lot of our viewers mention to us if we don’t spend it our kids will 😂😂😂 flying Business on our last trip because we won our upgrade bid was awesome have a great weekend Cheers 🌺🙂🍷

[@christopherbarker976]

Hi Tina & Norm good to see you both again great story and you’ve done so well . Regards. Christopher Barker

[@barbbouma4838]

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

[@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 🌺🙂

[@TheAngela2C]

Your story resonates with me. We immigrated from UKraine 22 years ago with much less money than you and very basic English. So, we had to work very low payment jobs to survive and study a lot to confirm our qualifications. Bought 1 st house in 2 years, sold it and bought one in much better neibourhood in 10 years. Confirmed our diplomas as engeneer and physician, love our jobs and not in a rush for retirement. Not because of money. Canada really became our home, we love being here and not going to leave it for more warmer climate. There are things much more important than that.🙂

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Sounds like you had to work a lot harder than us with the language barrier, we definitely need Engineers and Physicians congratulations 🥳 to you both on your journey in Canada 🇨🇦 As you say Canada is our home 🏡 too 🙂

[@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 🌺🙂🍷

[@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 🍻🙂

[@kimpaolatto1983]

Very impressive! Thanks for sharing!

[@williamsion3000]

Well done

[@OldGirlPhotography]

What's most interesting to me is how you went from a "live beyond your means" to a "live within your means" philosophy, even bettering that with paying yourselves. I've never been a saver, more often than I care to admit indulging in impulse purchases, BUT I did have the good sense to sign up for any and all programs that would force me to save, like the company pension or opportunities provided by my financial advisor. I never noticed that money when it went out of the account/paycheque, but was very glad it was there when I retired. That said, what I never do is deny myself a reasonable cost experience, even the occasional upgrade, because I am now retired. Too many of my friends are afraid to spend a penny now that there is no regular job income. I would say I now live "on the edge of my means", lol. And I love it.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Great comment seems so many retirees just can’t go from saving to spending , but if they don’t their kids will do and go first class all the way 🙂👍

[@gregmurphygolf]

Great Story! Very inspiring!

[@thaitestautomation8425]

Love your story! inspring! 🥰

[@williamsion3000]

Thank you for sharing!!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

You are so welcome! 🙂

[@letschatfamilyfinances]

Inspirational. Thank you!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

[@annanufrio4468]

great and inspiring video

[@DeanRamser]

Excellent videos! Thank you both!!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@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 🙂

[@davidmaclachlan]

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

[@iniabellepaz445]

Great video…wish I seen it 10 yrs back but still love all the information and hope to pass it on! Stay well

[@HeavenlyMe1111]

We really love you guys, keep,posting and we will keep watching and supporting you ❤

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you so much we appreciate your support Cheers 🙂🌺

[@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 🌺🙂

[@catharineho8264]

Great video, perhaps you can make one talking about the frugal habits you have that enabled you to save money while raising children. Many people say they don't have enough money to be able to save yet they spend quite freely.

[@barfed64]

You just told the story of our immigration life in the USA!

[@davidpratt5456]

Thank you for sharing parts of your life.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Your very welcome David Cheers 🍻🙂

[@K-ls2kd]

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

[@anthonybutler3157]

Great story and so well told.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you enjoyed it! 🍻Cheers 🙂

[@bw5277]

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

[@roxie0648]

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

[@donnahartnell5573]

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

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks Donna 🍷🌺🙂

[@queenniqco7548]

I love your story.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you so much 🌺🙂

[@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 🙂🍻

[@trauddien2250]

Very inspiring and real life personal experiences 🎉thanks for sharing!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

You are so welcome! have a great weekend Cheers 🙂🍷

[@sjwitts1]

What a lovely story guys ! Bon weekend !

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

Very inspirational backgrounds we have! You made some good decisions that definitely affected your later years!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks so much! 🙂