Minimalist Retirement & Full Time Travel: A Life Without Stuff

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  • Опубліковано 22 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 103

  • @tessajones9393
    @tessajones9393 9 місяців тому +14

    I told my parents about Swedish Death cleaning about 5 years ago, and they were so offended 😂. Recently I helped my mum clear out her 89-year-old brother's house as his partner passed away and he needed to go into full-time care (dementia) my poor 78-year-old mother finally realised everything I had said in the past. She could not understand all of the stuff he had kept. It was a lot! Like a borderline hoarder but things hidden in the house, he kept every card and letter (thousands) of we counted over 5000 DVDs, for example. In the end, we culled down to only about enough stuff to fit a studio apartment, and I took a handful of family heirlooms. But I said no to everything else. I am now almost 40 and just trying to figure out how hubby and I navigate young kids and goals, haha.

  • @DaveM-FFB
    @DaveM-FFB 9 місяців тому +28

    We have a lot of friends who are in their late 70s and 80s. None of them are able to travel anymore. My observation is that the "Go-Go years" fade away fast after you turn 65. Whether the limitation is money, medical issues, work, caring for a loved one, or having too much stuff (acting as a boat anchor), we need to reprioritize to break free and see the world while we can. The assisted living facility will come sooner than you think.

    • @davidsmiottawa
      @davidsmiottawa 9 місяців тому +3

      Interesting 65 - I’m hoping for 75 for gogo

    • @DaveM-FFB
      @DaveM-FFB 9 місяців тому +3

      @@davidsmiottawa I'm 66. I figure I've got 6 or 7 Go-Go years if I'm lucky.

  • @JLTravels
    @JLTravels 9 місяців тому +9

    You are so right! Stress level reduction with a minimalist mindset - at 65 yrs, sold home furnished & moved onto vanlife fulltime 5 yrs ago. Experiences over stuff for sure!

  • @bobhale8325
    @bobhale8325 9 місяців тому +15

    I love the idea of "Swedish Death Cleaning" At 81 it makes a lot of sense to me. My 77 year old wife and I may not take up your lifestyle, but you are rapidly becoming people we are listening to.

  • @edward88881
    @edward88881 9 місяців тому +18

    A friend narrowed her clothing down to necessities. Now her policy is: for every new item of clothing she buys, she has to discard or donate an equivalent from something she owns.

    • @tessajones9393
      @tessajones9393 9 місяців тому +2

      That's what we do with anything that comes into the house. It's a journey!

    • @JudyMacW
      @JudyMacW 9 місяців тому +1

      I’ve been following that policy for decades and it’s great. It forces me to assess whether i really need or want certain clothing items. Minimizes clutter too.

  • @amazinggraces3850
    @amazinggraces3850 9 місяців тому +8

    Iv recently found your videos and i am stuck. Watching all of them. Im so reacy to pack and go. Happy Travels to you both. Your a great couple.

  • @kristiG5259
    @kristiG5259 9 місяців тому +4

    Trying to clean stuff out! About to start scanning years of photographs, then will mail the originals to family. I just sold a cement bird bath that we haven't put water in for YEARS! Hubby wasn't happy. He said "I liked that". I wonder if he'd even notice it was gone if I hadn't told him ;-)

  • @DaveM-FFB
    @DaveM-FFB 9 місяців тому +10

    Fascinating to prioritize "experiences over things"'. It was liberating when we let go of a storage unit. Btw, I'm envious that you don't ever have to purchase consumables like toilet paper, paper towels, and napkins.

  • @jacquesjourney
    @jacquesjourney 9 місяців тому +2

    I am in the process of downsizing & decluttering to move abroad. I want to get rid of at least 90% of the things I own.

  • @autobotdiva9268
    @autobotdiva9268 9 місяців тому +7

    got rid of 80% toys, down to 1 rubbermaid tote now

  • @davidhedden9929
    @davidhedden9929 9 місяців тому +5

    Very interesting and thought provoking video. It left me wondering how do you manage an address to pay taxes, hold a drivers license, passport, etc.

  • @lmpreston1
    @lmpreston1 9 місяців тому +3

    I did this once when we moved to Hawaii. Now, I realize I like some creature comforts, but we do have a plan. However, I love board gaming and putting all my games in a suitcase is daunting.

    • @GroundedLifeRetirementTravel
      @GroundedLifeRetirementTravel  9 місяців тому

      Those are hard to pack!

    • @saversavvy2670
      @saversavvy2670 8 місяців тому +1

      Take the boards and only the pieces and dice that you need to play each game. For example if you like monopoly and checkers just use one of the checkers for your game pieces. Also don't take the money. You can keep track of your money on a piece of paper. So many ways you could par down games. Another thing is you could just take a couple until your tired of playing them and then trade with friends or donate and buy a few different ones at a thrift store.

  • @brendaleelynch2339
    @brendaleelynch2339 9 місяців тому +6

    Yes, it is all just stuff. I have lost everything, all of it, more than once through life events some beyond my control, some by poor choices and I have rebuilt from each loss. Now, I am gearing up to travel more before and after retirement Pictures can be digitally kept on a cloud. Some of my books are painful to let go as some are harder to replace. Again, it is just stuff. Your channel is particularly helpful for me to plan for retirement in the next 5 years. I am too close to securing a state retirement to simply walk away now. Again, your videos are paramount for planning travelling full-time or nearly so. Thank you and may peace and grace be with you both.

  • @melindavictorson7973
    @melindavictorson7973 9 місяців тому +11

    I have been peeled to your videos wondering if this is something that would be feasible for my husband and myself. Can you do a video on your potential plans when you can no longer physically do the travel life? Or maybe you just get tired of it. Would you rent or buy etc? If you have done this video please just direct me to it. Thank you for being so transparent. By the way my husband was born 12/18 and I was born 12/20 so I feel you with the birthdays/Christmas. Target is unfortunately way more than a 63 dollar haul lol.

  • @PowerfulMoneyHabits
    @PowerfulMoneyHabits 9 місяців тому +4

    I luv this thinking but my hubby is married to his stuff😢

  • @jana6505
    @jana6505 4 місяці тому

    My Christmas things are going to be hard to part with. Been collecting over 30 years

  • @Adriennedavila
    @Adriennedavila 9 місяців тому +4

    I love your videos! A typical Target run for me is about $250. I have a question: do you ever have that “there’s no place like home” feeling? We just finished a 4 night cruise and had a blast, but as we were driving up to our house we experienced that emotion and I am worried that I would miss that if we become full time travelers. Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you so much for all of your content. It is very informative and inspiring!

    • @GroundedLifeRetirementTravel
      @GroundedLifeRetirementTravel  9 місяців тому +2

      We get that feeling when we return back to familiar cities. So it's similar, but different all at once.

  • @memphistnliving
    @memphistnliving 9 місяців тому +5

    Needs vs wants - Clear demarcation helps with minimalist lifestyle. You guys are a great inspiration

  • @flutingaround
    @flutingaround 9 місяців тому +7

    How do you two handle hobbies as nomads in retirement? I have many hobbies with its corresponding hobby gear. For example my backpacking, camping, music gear. I'm retired and a full time nomad that wants to be creative and learn new skills as I age. For this reason, I currently have a storage unit just for my hobby gear.

  • @drothberg3
    @drothberg3 9 місяців тому +2

    I find this very appealing. The problem is that I’m a musician, and I need at least one guitar. It’s hard for me to imagine having only one guitar. I’m thinking about stashing guitars with various friends and relatives.

  • @garden4mysoul397
    @garden4mysoul397 9 місяців тому +5

    I love you guys!!! Your logic is ringing bells for me!!! I'm planning my exodus and have to try living in a hotel for a while and let someone else maintain all the stuff!! I cant recall you guys visiting Latin America but I hope to bump into you someday in these international streets!! Best wishes!!!

  • @billandsuzyhammel4117
    @billandsuzyhammel4117 9 місяців тому +2

    Do you have a video about health / travel insurance? Thanks!

  • @weekender5850
    @weekender5850 9 місяців тому +3

    You guys are cool. Keep up the good work.

  • @SeasTheWorld
    @SeasTheWorld 5 місяців тому

    Addicted to your videos! Full time retirement travel is my dream. Didn't think DH was...but he seems to be getting onboard.
    As we contemplate this--curious, how much luggage do each of you have as you travel about? I have done a month in Europe on a small carry on & backpack, but long term? No sure.

  • @elizaC3024
    @elizaC3024 9 місяців тому +4

    Great video guys. I got the IHG card from your link, and we are now padding our points balance with our utilities and our necessary items. Our hope is to spend a few months in the winter away. We are reducing our stuff on ebay to put away for our future trips. We downsized to our cabin 7 years ago, so we have an affordable home to age in place, and it's easy to close up and go. Our summers here are fabulous, so no need to be away from the Homestead for those months. In late 60s travel is awesome but we want to have the security too.

  • @maryannchandler2019
    @maryannchandler2019 9 місяців тому +1

    Thank you for these videos really helping prep for early retirement. We’ve sizeddown a bunch but now I feel ready to let go of more. We do have two small dogs that will be our travel companions oat of the time. We do board them for train trips for now. When they grow older they will come too

  • @lpmama1196
    @lpmama1196 9 місяців тому +2

    What advice do you have for musicians? I own several instruments and don't know how to travel without at least one guitar. I guess I'll always have a storage unit. Everything else can go but I worked too hard to get rid of my music gear.

  • @davekapfer1900
    @davekapfer1900 8 місяців тому

    Do you have a video about how you handle a home base, where you file taxes, mail and general things like that?

  • @cathylingo9521
    @cathylingo9521 9 місяців тому +1

    Have you ever made a video showing what is in your carry on and backpacks? If not could you make one? I would love to see how you survive on so little.

  • @drothberg3
    @drothberg3 9 місяців тому +1

    I’m about to be divorced. I find this appealing, but I’m in the process of the opposite - furnishing an apartment, as I don’t want to increase the amount of change, so I’m keeping my job and location for another year or two. Also, I find it a bit intimidating to do this kind of thing solo.

  • @therehastobesomethingmoore
    @therehastobesomethingmoore 9 місяців тому +1

    Ok guys, sometimes you must go from cold to hot to cold climates….u pack jackets, etc and drag warm clothes with you if the next stop is Bangkok ? Or do you just buy new clothes a lot ?
    Thx

  • @TheDivaDivine
    @TheDivaDivine 9 місяців тому +2

    What do you do with things like a wedding album or any other things you have that are priceless

    • @Mikesadventures-m2q
      @Mikesadventures-m2q 9 місяців тому

      I got the smallest storage unit for just the basics.

    • @kfosterj
      @kfosterj 9 місяців тому

      Have a bin of sentimental items that you leave with friends or family.

  • @strawberries1411
    @strawberries1411 9 місяців тому +1

    Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experiences.. I guess it is work in progress, seems difficult to me to break the habit of wanting to buy things while travelling😅. I have started with low buy no buy in training myself for next year early retirement. We won't be fulltime travellers, more like frequent travellers.

  • @yuloneal3563
    @yuloneal3563 9 місяців тому +3

    We really enjoy your videos and the content. These are all things that we are working towards. We were just curious whether or not you guys had a mortgage, or did you own your home free and clear?

  • @livingworkingoutsidebox
    @livingworkingoutsidebox 9 місяців тому +1

    Thanks for showing how one can actually do this and flip that mindset.
    Which would you to say would be your choice of traveling? 🤔
    If you didn't have a time schedule or could plan for it...
    Planes
    Trains
    Repositioning Cruises
    We don't talk about Target spending in our house...😢😮😊 💰😉 You're absolutely right those my wife or I go in for 1 thing and an hour later and $50- $100 poorer...😢😅

  • @mikegainer8288
    @mikegainer8288 9 місяців тому

    Makes me want to do this also.

  • @davidsmiottawa
    @davidsmiottawa 9 місяців тому +1

    Most people take more stuff to an all inclusive for a week!

  • @richardhowe3951
    @richardhowe3951 9 місяців тому +1

    Another great video. I am like that now small suitcase and a back pack. Moving away from a computer to a tablet because most of what I do is in the cloud anyway. If I need a computer there are lots of internet cafes around. I am looking at dollar cost averaging for IHG points . Wish I had known about them before. So glad I found your channel. Thanks again!

  • @margaretr.4427
    @margaretr.4427 9 місяців тому

    Your videos are so inspiring and well done! It’s so impressive how you managed to accomplish getting rid of the majority of your stuff so you can travel full time. I’m making baby steps but it’s so daunting as I look around at all the items one accumulates with a home. I am going to keep at it though and hopefully will be done before I’m too old to go anywhere lol!

  • @J9KingTrav
    @J9KingTrav 9 місяців тому +1

    Would love to see what's in your suitcase and backpack. What do you carry?

  • @Rachel-ou6pk
    @Rachel-ou6pk 9 місяців тому

    lol, yes Allie, $63 at Target made me laugh too :-)

  • @aaront936
    @aaront936 9 місяців тому +2

    What is your plan for when the go go years slow down?

  • @shyamdevadas6099
    @shyamdevadas6099 9 місяців тому

    Thanks for another interesting video! I only discovered you two last week and I've already watched a bunch. My situation has similarities and differences to yours. I'm single, 59, love my work, and I have had everything paid off for a couple of years. Like you, I chose to work in a field that didn't pay the most money I could have earned. Unlike you, I have lived in one of the more pricier parts of the country. I learned years ago that I liked spending time abroad. I have NEVER taken an overseas vacation. All of my travel has been for work. But, I have spent extended amounts of time in Europe and Asia and I knew long ago that I wanted to spend a lot of my retirement time there. Unlike you two, I think I want to have a home base in the U.S.. I own a condo in the city that I plan to sell and turn into 1-2 smaller condos that make better rental properties. I also own this small, mixed-use property in a rural town about 3 hours away. It's cheap and paid for. (I bought it for $30K and the property taxes are $189 a year.) I plan to work for another 11 years because I love what I do. At this point, I have no debt and everything I save will go into retirement and savings. At the same time, I look at what you two do and it is brilliant. Between my Social Security (which I begin to qualify for in 2.5 years) and a bit of passive income on the side, I think I'll be able to pull off the same basic scenario you guys do. It really helps to have folks like you who generously share your experience and knowledge. Much appreciated!

  • @sonhuynh8222
    @sonhuynh8222 7 місяців тому

    Contemplating a move overseas in the next few years but don’t know how to collapse my life into 2 suitcases. How does one go from 2800 sq ft to suitcases ??? Anxiety 😟

  • @scorpiolady1
    @scorpiolady1 9 місяців тому +1

    I always wonder about what happens when one gets older or possibly sick, and you need to stop traveling? Then no home base?? 😫

    • @tessajones9393
      @tessajones9393 9 місяців тому

      I think most responsible people own property and have it rented out. Or have the cash to be able to stay somewhere long term. I see a lot of people who sell up to buy caravan and travel, but that's silly, haha.

  • @maryellenbowman2738
    @maryellenbowman2738 9 місяців тому +1

    Got the Madam Blueberry reference! Stuff Mart Stuff Mart😅

  • @gacmasterful
    @gacmasterful 9 місяців тому +6

    We are indoctrinated to pursue the American dream from the time we are born. Buy a house, buy new cars, buy, buy, buy... and when you run out of space to put your stuff, you rent a storage unit. It is difficult to turn off that impulse to buy stuff, and actually get rid of stuff instead. We are going to give it our best effort this year to prepare for full time travel in 2025.

    • @ROBERT-bq1bw
      @ROBERT-bq1bw 9 місяців тому +2

      I could retire with all the crap
      In my garage...which I now
      Regret buying.

  • @theresewheeler1498
    @theresewheeler1498 9 місяців тому

    I love ❤️ the idea of getting of stuff

  • @giselakohagen5722
    @giselakohagen5722 7 місяців тому

    How can I find out how to get these points . At 82 i can do this now. Travel on all these points. Go to Bali again

  • @vet4truth
    @vet4truth 9 місяців тому +1

    Which type of camera do you guys use when doing your recordings, the video looks great! Thanks.

  • @jenniferhute2017
    @jenniferhute2017 9 місяців тому

    What about gifts for your kids if they are not minimalists?

  • @FoodiesVacations
    @FoodiesVacations 9 місяців тому +1

    Can you park your car at the Atlanta train station… because we are planning to drive there from louisville? We are headed to National Harbor in MD😊

    • @GroundedLifeRetirementTravel
      @GroundedLifeRetirementTravel  9 місяців тому +1

      There is very little parking there. It is not advised.

    • @FoodiesVacations
      @FoodiesVacations 9 місяців тому +1

      @@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel I wonder if you can get to the train from the airport… may park there…

    • @GroundedLifeRetirementTravel
      @GroundedLifeRetirementTravel  9 місяців тому +1

      @@FoodiesVacations you could get close on the Marta but you'd have to Uber the last bit. The train station is horribly located.

    • @FoodiesVacations
      @FoodiesVacations 9 місяців тому

      @@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Chicago is actually a closer drive… but I’m not sure if it will be a better parking situation

  • @ManhattanRats
    @ManhattanRats 9 місяців тому

    Shoutout to the friend I sent this video to a while ago. Robert in NYC.

  • @George-tz1cv
    @George-tz1cv 3 місяці тому

    What’s your plan for when you get older and really can’t travel that well?

  • @kimcanty1885
    @kimcanty1885 9 місяців тому

    Thank you for the video. I applaud your decision. This type of living is to drastic for me and my husband. As new retirees, we will travel more. Is this going to be how you live forever or a year by year decision?

  • @kevinevers7031
    @kevinevers7031 6 місяців тому

    What do you keep in your 2 suitcases and 2 backpacks?

  • @dianefarrell2343
    @dianefarrell2343 9 місяців тому

    What about safety? And what about your Family do you find it difficult to visit?

  • @msaylorBTC100M
    @msaylorBTC100M 9 місяців тому +1

    does purchasing IHG Ambassador entitles one for free breakfast?

  • @StillPooh62
    @StillPooh62 9 місяців тому

    I am curious how you envision your lives when you get too old to sustain the nomad lifestyle. Will you just go until you can't anymore, and then move into a furnished assisted living? In the United States, or somewhere else?

  • @mississippiapple1078
    @mississippiapple1078 9 місяців тому +1

    The visa thing is freaking me out: what if I'm on day 29 and my flight out is canceled. Do I get penalized or something? Plus I feel like l always have to move out of counties

    • @gregjor
      @gregjor 9 місяців тому +4

      No, immigration understands events out of your control. You have to research visas and follow the rules but it’s not a big deal.

  • @travelbungalow6267
    @travelbungalow6267 9 місяців тому +1

    If I do Target for less than $150 it’s a good Target run. 🥴

  • @debsaletta9024
    @debsaletta9024 9 місяців тому +1

    How have your federal taxes changed over time? For example, you no longer have tax deductible interest payments on a mortgage or other potential tax credits or deductions? Do you end up paying more federal taxes now that you do not own a home?

    • @gregjor
      @gregjor 9 місяців тому +4

      Look into the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, FEIE. Big tax savings as long as you stay out of the US 335 days a year.

  • @fredwebster1091
    @fredwebster1091 9 місяців тому +1

    how do you handle your finances pay bills collect income types of accounts you have?

    • @DaveM-FFB
      @DaveM-FFB 9 місяців тому +2

      This would be a great video topic!

    • @fredwebster1091
      @fredwebster1091 9 місяців тому +1

      @@DaveM-FFByou could probably split that into a couple of video topics...i can't wait to see them

    • @GroundedLifeRetirementTravel
      @GroundedLifeRetirementTravel  9 місяців тому +4

      Yes, it's pretty easy, we are thinking of doing a video on it soon!

    • @DaveM-FFB
      @DaveM-FFB 9 місяців тому

      We made two changes prior to this year's international travel. #1. We now have a global hotspot with inexpensive data. We're not using sim cards on our phones. Just texting and calls over WiFi. #2. We now have a VPN which makes it easier and safer to do online banking and video streaming. I'd love to know what other things might be helpful.