The Biggest Lesson from this Nightmare

[@rc9272]

Confession - it was just two years ago at 48 y/o that I went from negative net worth to positive net worth. Like you said, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[@JaySwanson]

Love it. Congratulations 🎉

[@miroslavbazitov183]

At what cost is the question 🤗 congrats on the milestone

[@jackie8357]

🎉🎉congratulations!

[@np8173]

I feel you. I'm a middle aged woman in the US who has never had financial support from anyone and have been assertive in finding my own way. Had things actually worked, I'd be in a much more comfortable financial situation. However, they have not and I'm exhausted from having to live paycheck to paycheck - and it's not for my lack of trying. It's from the lack of support, especially as a single woman.

[@EMSpdx]

Being a single woman in the USA, with or without children, is incredibly tough. Only through living with my married friends for a couple of years was I able to save up money after the collaspe of my own freelancing business, a death of a loved one and lack of jobs. It was awful. But I survived, and you are surviving. Solidarity.

[@jyc313]

I first came across your channel when I was planning a Paris trip 3 years back. I come back to it from time to time, and it’s been good seeing an authentic depiction of your life’s adventures - both its ups and downs. That being said, I’m in my mid 30s and only very recently have started to get a grip on my finances. Ive gone through my share of hard times. My mentality has been - “Hey this won’t be forever, and when I’m at my highs and look back at my lows, I can be more confident knowing I pulled myself out of it.” Right now my life is good. But should I hit a low again, I know that I will be able to face it better - battle hardened by the lows of my past. Cheers, and happy holidays.

[@MichaelDeRossi16]

Fair play to you for being honest. Its refreshing.

[@JaySwanson]

Sometimes I think it may be all I really have to give 🥂

[@DriverDude100]

Thanks!

[@JaySwanson]

Thank YOU! 🥰🥂

[@eldergal]

This topic really speaks to me. Have been in a place of need for most of my life. My channel is growing, but it's still a struggle. Always appreciate your deep thoughts!

[@elizabethbaxter54]

i follow you and wish you adventure and happiness in your future!

[@thedavidguy01]

I’ve always saved money towards an emergency fund. Even when I was in grad school and dirt poor (voluntarily) I was saving $1 or $2 dollars a week. A laughable amount, but always something. And having an emergency fund saved me a lot of problems several times in my life, like the time my furnace needed to be replaced immediately in winter. I don’t know where that urgency comes from, but it’s always been there. I know some people can never get out of their desperate situation, but most of us can find a way to put something aside. Good luck in getting through this tough time.

[@JaySwanson]

Thanks David! Just had to develop that urgency over decades I suppose 😅

[@thepracticingartist]

Grateful for you sharing these thoughts. Helpful to many of us.

[@PAWS0810-]

at 70 we are currently in a very good place, grew up poor and without, started several marriages and divorces and then this one for 40 years. long journey good jobs, savings, 401 stuff and some little piece my dad left me, have been able to help the kids (my children) over the years and donated some stuff to the grandson! takes work.

[@jackie8357]

Very admirable that you have set yourself up, I enjoy seeing your adventures and your internal journey, thank you for sharing. Cooper is an adorable elf

[@carolbrenner3121]

Nothing is good or bad…it just is ❤

[@sararichardson737]

A perspective that kind of takes the pressure off

[@57auxmoines]

Amazing comment “hard times not a moral failing “ ❤

[@JaySwanson]

🙏

[@FaraiMoniKA]

That's a good mindset - building up a fund both for emergencies and for opportunities.

[@JaySwanson]

Yes please 🫠

[@codacraft]

As a self employed person I have gotten into the habit of banking 30% of my income.

[@JaySwanson]

You are wise 🙏

[@amyspeers8012]

My parents filed for bankruptcy when I was 14. They were able to comeback and do well. I love your honesty…but not sure if Cooper loves his elf outfit. It did put a smile on my face!

[@JaySwanson]

He's always a trooper

[@jacqueline4749]

I was Just thinking about this topic yesterday. I was watching an interview of castmates from a show. I realised that Every Single Actor had a celebrity parent/famous last name. Then I started to look at my OWN successful friends who have a huge Italian family or Network...or Married into it etc.... Personally I don't have ANY family. My sister never writes, no cousins, etc...single. My point is I have to Not be so hard on myself. My parents worked in a factory... which was fine...But there's a hell of a lot of people who were given the help / opened doors. I've always been scrappy with making my own contacts. But it's Exhausting being broke. It's hard work keeping your head above water. Finally ....Thank You Jay for this video. I totally relate...❤

[@JaySwanson]

It is hard. I know it sounds trite, but keep after it. We have only ourselves, but we're also the ultimate beneficiaries of our effort 🥂 Even if it never looks like what we hoped for, it's better than taking what we were given at face value.

[@paniaspratt9328]

Thank you Jay for your honesty. I love your channel, your content and your refreshing honesty. Keep doing what you’re doing, you’ve come so far. From, New Zealand. 🇳🇿

[@JaySwanson]

Thank you! Will do!

[@erinmh]

Omigosh another Jay video this week? Loving this! Also, let's get you to100K subs😉

[@MT-im7hx]

Thank you for sharing Jay. I have a feeling that things will continue to get better in all areas of your life.😊

[@JaySwanson]

Thank you! Me too

[@lirazdemasure936]

Jay I have been following you for a few years, always happy to watch your videos. I am sorry that you are having a hard time and I hope these too shall pass very soon. Thank you for being open and sensitive, you’re definitely not the only one struggling these days 🦋

[@DriverDude100]

Keep up the great work!

[@andrewwilson548]

I appreciate you and your videos, Jay! They encourage me. I resonated with your comment about why we face suffering or tough times. I think sometimes the truth is we bring them on ourselves (If someone drives recklessly and then wonders why they have to pay the ticket or fix their car- they probably need to look in the mirror.) But at the same time it is often true that the suffering and struggles we experience we just can't explain. (Why does someone get sick and someone else doesn't? Why does someone get in an accident and someone else is spared? Why does our CPA suddenly charge us double? We often just can't explain it.) I know it sometimes isn't any easier to say "I don't know why" this is happening- but personally I think it is freeing to say that at the same time. Freeing to know that life is like that in this world we live in. Freeing to know that we aren't the only ones experiencing the things we are experiencing. Freeing to know that God not only gives good things on good days, but that He gives us strength, wisdom, peace, and perseverance in the midst of our worst days and the worst things that we can't explain too. I hope you have a great day today, Jay.

[@Claudi771]

Love your channel & hope to be able to patron support eventually!🙏🏻

[@ericyvonyv6188]

Jay deserve to have 100K subscribers.

[@Maria-b2k8y]

Thanks for sharing Jay.

[@kaleidoscopeallie]

It's for sure my experience that personal growth does tend to feel cyclical but it's more like an ascending spiral. We make another pass and another pass but we've become a whole new us each time and can experience it all from different angles and with new tools. I think, like you're saying. .... . as unfun as it can feel it's also a chance to see how far we've come. As usual, incredibly relatable. Hang in there and may good things be closer than you think.

[@JaySwanson]

A good reminder that even though it's "upward," it remains a spiral 🥂

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Regular Vlogging Jay is so back! I love these quick snippets of life passing by. P.S. Cooper more like Cooperatively Festive

[@MT-im7hx]

Cooper looks sooooo cute!

[@JaySwanson]

He's adorable as always

[@tedkite4684]

Jay…you have come long way from when you started…I remember a time when you were very stressed over where you were…now you have a dual citizenship…and run a good KZbin channel….keep on …doing you

[@JaySwanson]

Thank you! 🥂🎉

[@SurpriseMeJT]

I've been in France 8 years now. If you want to make a lot money, you don't do it in France. You're taxed to hell and working the corporate game means you have to be a total prostitute and work more than 40 hours a week. It's much easier to do in the US.

[@RH1812]

I’m in the need verses want camp. Having plenty to store is useful. PS I’ve never understood why the US taxes its people irrespective of where they live in the world. As a Brit, I’d be really pissed off

[@SeriouslyJaded]

Dude, you’re always articulate. And Cooper, as always, steals the show. :D

[@jaydogg2003]

I love how Cooper seems genuinely excited to put that thing on... what a dog!

[@AussieHeyJude]

Good people make mistakes…. Bad people keep making the same mistakes and expect a different outcome. ❤

[@TheUkulelegal]

Have me on your show. Im in Paris next week.

[@deckenneth]

OMG Cooper is ADORABLE!

[@judyt.5702]

You have patrons who support you. Does that help you, Jay❤

[@rob7819]

And he also lives rent free, which is very lucky for a grown man.Living rent free should allow him save money?? Best of luck Jay

[@BigStevo_6]

Oh Cooper, you ham! Even in my 50's I find myself scratching my head as to why my nest egg is not larger. But then again I look back to this year spending $$$ on a 3 week trip to London/Paris, planning our return for Xmas '25 and then I remember why. At least we save up for the trip then book flights/vrbo's instead of putting all on a credit card at the beginning and incurring debt. It feels more special that way, at least for us. Only in the last 15 years has saving money been attainable. Work, earn, spend is a vicious cycle.

[@PAWS0810-]

ps i married my mail man who went very far in 32 years in the corporate postal service. we are living nicely on his very good pension and insurance. i am thankful and grateful.

[@jeffreyshort4531]

3 videos in 3 days? How are we so blessed ? :D

[@JaySwanson]

🥂🎉

[@annas1185]

I feel like I’m disproportionally excited to seeing my name in the Patreon list for the first than warranted 😂

[@lola.44.77]

The sound thing from the other video was no biggie, Jay :)

[@JaySwanson]

🥂

[@andil6784]

Sometimes your vlogs feel like I’m reading my own script. Ministers kid: same……Left the church institution: same…..Questioning my faith: same…… childhood with no emotional family support: same. We should talk. Your vlogs, especially the one about you and the church, have been very insightful for me. You know the saying, “the cobblers kids have no shoes”.

[@JaySwanson]

Happy I can share in the experience of shoelessness at least 🥂

[@bjhelder]

Cooooooperrrrrrr!

[@oakpope]

I remember when you lived from hot-dog to the next. So glad you're better now.

[@JaySwanson]

The demi baguette days were rough to be sure

[@geoffh2560]

Another video?? Are we back into vlog-a-day land?

[@JaySwanson]

👀

[@crustykells27]

Thanks. Tak. Been there. Still there. Ok light is good. Motivation. Art. Influence. Inspiration. All the easy hard cliche but essential crap to the journey forth. Hope eternal. Cheers.

[@joelprice1]

It’s all perspective. Some will say you have 100k followers, you have it easy. What many people don’t realize it takes years to build and just because you have this amount of followers doesn’t me it’s still easy and doesn’t take continuous work. People like to see what they perceive as success and then make an excuse why they aren’t doing as well. It’s a trap that limits our potential.

[@cwednesday]

I think that Cooper would rather play with his outfit than wear it, judging by the look on hi face. 😂 Hang in there. I'm in a similar place. You're definitely not alone.

[@sentientcj]

1. Read Rich Dad Poor Dad, the original one. 2. Always spend (and invest) less than you earn, at the very least until you have a six month emergency fund. 3. Stay positive and remember to make the money work for you, not the other way around. You do so by following the above two. I love what you do, reach out if you want to talk money ❤

[@carolbrenner3121]

Many of us just burn money 😂

[@fv1291]

Bring the beard back! 😊

[@JaySwanson]

🎅🧙‍♂️

[@carolinekaplan542]

why do influencers or you tubers feel that it's a real job? I don't understand it. You only have yourself to take care of no kids. I think you can visit the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam and attached museum to get some perspective on the real anxiety and struggles in life. Ive worked since 17, did college full time then borrowed for law school then worked last 38 years still doing it , raised twins born at a pound and a half, survived divorce when they were three. 99 percent of the world works to simply survive. many people work in manual hard jobs. Creative work is done after day job typically.

[@JaySwanson]

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@hisugarplum2084]

So no one is allowed to have problems but you and Anne Frank? Invalidating other people's experiences only shows a lack of empathy.

[@carolinekaplan542]

@ not invalidating. But very few people make wealth off of creative endeavors. I have represented a few who have. There are many more hard working people who do the work of paying bills then enjoy their creative side . It’s called a hobby. Instead of anxiety and self pity people find their self esteem in helping others and a job well done. My generation used to actually have and raise children. Anne frank didn’t have problems , get family and millions of others were slaughtered. This generation navel gazing hasn’t helped them. I love jays videos about Paris. But there are opportunities to do all sorts of things in Europe . My nieces nephews and my daughter sing for their supper and do volunteer work. The one who inherited some wealth from losing her father in high school works the hardest.

[@hisugarplum2084]

​@@carolinekaplan542 1) yes, you absolutely are invalidating other people's lived experiences 2) not everyone wants children and that is a good thing 3) PLENTY of people make money being creatives 4) it is not for YOU to say how people live their lives. Period.

[@carolinekaplan542]

@@hisugarplum2084 I agree that people who can't take care of themselves shouldn't be having children . People who worked to raise their kids aren't interested in subsidizing other kids. Some people make enough in creative endeavors. Others realize they need a day job. I don't know if IM invalidating another experience or triggering them while they want to bemoan their fate while they hide in their safe space, it just might be more realistic to appreciate what we have in life and actually enjoy it, I believe its called riding the rollercoaster.

[@koikeskiya]

Ok, it’s not against you but i never take any advises about life from people that makes little dogs wear „petit manteau”.

[@rob7819]

Ha ha.Brilliant

[@buelax]

Wow it is amazing to notice the backgrounds. Paris is starting to look like NYC in the seventies. Sketchy people and graffiti Everywhere on nice buildings. I have noticed it the last few times I was the but in these videos going over old and new is alarming. Go talk to white coal miners or anyone in Appalachia about your “white” benefits. PLZ

[@hisugarplum2084]

It's interesting to see how some people always look for the negative. Comparing Paris to NYC in the 70's is quite the stretch. Graffiti in Paris is pretty common....also where are these so called "sketchy people" in the video?

[@bigbitebones]

When I feel a little down, I think of others who don’t have it as easy as me say people in Ukraine fighting a war or even people closer to me like in Cuba where food is scarce and light is turned off for days. Then I think 🤔 Im one lucky guy.