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 🌺🙂

[@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 🌺🙂

[@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?

[@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 🌺🙂

[@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 🇨🇦🙂🌺

[@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!

[@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 🙂🍻

[@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!

[@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 🙂

[@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 🙂

[@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 👏

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 🍷🙂🍻🌺

[@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 🇵🇹🍷🇨🇦🌺

[@soniamoss734]

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

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you enjoyed it Sonia 🌺🙂

[@stanconrad2609]

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

[@kcirdorb9591]

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

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for listening

[@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 🙂👍

[@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 🇨🇦🍷🇺🇸🙂

[@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 🙂🍷🍻

[@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 😊

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 🍻🙂

[@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 🍷🙂🇺🇸🇨🇦

[@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 🙂🍷🌺

[@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 🌺

[@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 🙂🍷

[@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 🍻🙂

[@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.

[@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 🙂

[@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.

[@DeanRamser]

Excellent videos! Thank you both!!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@CarenMagill]

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

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for watching! a small World 🙂

[@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.

[@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! 🌺🙂

[@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!

[@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 🌺

[@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 🙂

[@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 🍻🙂

[@barbbouma4838]

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

[@donnahartnell5573]

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

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks Donna 🍷🌺🙂

[@K-ls2kd]

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

[@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.

[@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. 🍻

[@ThinkingQueenNiqco]

I love your story.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you so much 🌺🙂

[@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 🍷🙂🌺

[@HeavenlyMe11]

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 🙂🌺

[@danield9182]

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

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

You are so welcome! 🙂

[@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 🌺🙂🍷

[@dellnichols4625]

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

[@JasVal-bm5th]

Your story is an inspiration. Love ur guys

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you.

[@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 🙂🍻

[@PeggyInPalmSprings]

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 🌺🙂❤️

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

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

[@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! 🙂

[@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 🍻🙂

[@bw5277]

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

[@pmmurf101]

Very interesting story, about coming to Canada! I am about your age, Tina, and did all my shopping for my two children when I was working (daughter now 42; son now 46) at Zeller’s! Either on Sparks Street or Bayshore shopping Centre in Ottawa, close by to where I worked. Congratulations on a very successful career and early retirement! You’ve more than earned it! Love your t-shirts, Norm!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

That is awesome! what a small world glad you liked it and Norms T-shirts Cheers 🍷🙂🌺

[@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 🍷🙂🍻

[@clivelangham435]

Congratulations. It's a very inspiring story.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you Clive Cheers 🙂🍻

[@iany2448]

In the earlier 1990's both UK and Canadian housing markets were in sharp contrast to today's Canadian market. My neighbor at time struggled with his 4-bedroom house mortgage payment but could not sell because of negative equity. Still remember the day of ERM crisis during which interest rate went up 3 times in a single day.

[@freedomlife3623]

That’s why I laughs when people complain about 6% mortgage & 3% inflation now. People has such a short memory, it was only 30 some years ago we had mortgage rate of 12%-18%. Still remember my first RRSP saving was 8%.

[@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.

[@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 😂😂

[@jocotti]

Very nice video. Thank you. I love you two. I wish my wife was still here to watch you channel.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you so much Jo we wish she was here too 🌺

[@whirltraveller1350]

Wonderful story and most enjoyable listening to. When we first found you, we told you how much we had in common, but this cements that sentiment. With some exceptions, naturally, there is much that is mirrored - from the "Wealthy Barber" which we gave to our three children too, to paying off our mortgage in eleven years. Wow! You are a very admirable couple. Best wishes as you continue your travel and retirement as Jeanette and I do as well. Roger

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you enjoyed it and we wish you and Jeanette lots of happy travels Cheers 🍻🙂🍷

[@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.

[@sjwitts1]

What a lovely story guys ! Bon weekend !

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

[@vaughnster928]

Love the T-shirt! ❤

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you 🍻🙂

[@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

[@shirleywendland9479]

I enjoyed your story of coming to Canada and how you decided to retire early. We have done similar financial things as you mention in your video and it does put you in a position to be able to travel and possibly retire early. Thanks for sharing. Take care Norm and Tina!

[@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.

[@bluetocop]

climbing the stairway in canada

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

We have loved every step 🙂🍷🇨🇦

[@christopherbarker976]

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

[@barfed64]

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

[@newtron1]

Well done. ❤ Ottawa is a beautiful area.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Yes it is but very cold in Winter 🥶

[@murraytown4]

You two are awesome and so relatable. You have never come off as extravagant…far from it. I bought my Ford at Lincoln Heights. I’ll have to check out the Giant Tiger here in Ottawa.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

That’s the Head office it’s a great store Murray 🐯 👍

[@madhuvijai6089]

best episode so far

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

So glad you enjoyed it Have a great weekend 🙂🍻

[@anthonybutler3157]

Great story and so well told.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you enjoyed it! 🍻Cheers 🙂

[@keepcreationprocess]

I am jealous of all the T-shirts Norms has, they are cool --- I have a Starbucks coffee T- shirt that looks very good on me. Green and white colours.

[@rossmacintosh5652]

Great story Tina & Norm! Do you ever reflect upon how your life would have been different had you stayed in the UK? (Idea for another video?). Like for you, The Wealthy Barber💈book was very helpful to us to also reach financial security & early retirement.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Not really as this was a big move and adventure for us and we always think looking forward always better than back . The Wealthy Barber 💈 really helped our plan Cheers 🍻🙂

[@williamjsmith9877]

It sounds like you are reading from my play book, very similar situation, after a few years in SA we returned to the Uk , decided to emigrate once again in 76 to the USA, and worked our a5s off and ended up retiring here in Florida. Just returned yesterday from a trip back to the UK, good beer and gammon steaks but we think we will stay in Florida

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Looks like we all made a great decision William Cheers 🇺🇸🍷🍻🇨🇦🙂

[@kimpaolatto1983]

Very impressive! Thanks for sharing!

[@iniabellepaz445]

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

[@gregmurphygolf]

Great Story! Very inspiring!

[@countrycitybeach]

i would like to hear more specifics since that is the basis of you channel. How much did you make at your jobs? what was your employment history ? stayed in car sales? what were you salaries? you paid for college for 2 children ? how much did your house sell for , how much do you have in retirement in cash? in money market ? what is your monthly budget now? where did you move when you sold your house? what did you pay for a smaller home when you downsized? are you paying rent now or own? how are you affording to travel? it is not clear how much you were able to put away?you paid your house off and what did it sell for? Also, what about singles? you both have a retirement income from Canada. I will only have a single SS in come. Still working at 70. If you know of any sites that adress this lifestyle please advise. I don't see myself traveling around to foreign countries in an RV alone.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for watching 💕

[@barbaraebner5889]

This is great advice. The economy now I don’t think would support this idea at least in the US anyway. Retired now but I wish we had done earlier then 65. The health piece just isn’t there for some of us. You work and work. Children, college, Weddings. No regrets just couldn’t happen for us. Enjoy each day even if you aren’t a world traveler. ❤

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for sharing Barbara we are glad we retired early but agree we should all enjoy each day as a present a gift that we woke up to enjoy that first cup of coffee ☕️

[@trauddien2250]

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

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

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

[@markbajek2541]

I never knew GiantTiger was owned by NWC. There's some interesting YT stuff out there about the Northern stores in the far flung reaches of Canada (grand openings mostly). The logistics of retailing in the hinterlands , flown in stock , maybe shipped in by boat or trucked in via Ice roads. Their store locations map is downright fascinating. Not sure if you can get a Zeppelin T shirt that far north.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

We think NWC owns and operates 5 stores out West but the rest are still privately owned by Giant Tiger . Thanks for watching enjoy your weekend Cheers 🍻☕️🙂

[@normagaloski214]

You’re best episode!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you so much Norma Cheers 🌺🙂

[@Magnolia7932]

Well done!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you 🙂

[@evadeanu1]

You guys did very well!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you 🙂

[@sjwitts1]

Thanks!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks so much Stephen have a great weekend 🍻🙂

[@williamsion3000]

Well done