Debt Free Talk and Drive to Anchorage 

I’m not sure if you will see this since this is four years old but i just found your channel a few months ago and I’ve watched every video you post then i found these old ones. It’s funny to see how far you have come and how confident you are now with the choices you have made. I’m living through you two, I’m 62 years old and I wish i would have had the guts to do what you have done. Oh and even back then to now you can see the love and respect you have for each other, you were meant to be. Thanks for sharing your life.

My husband and I are doing this in a year. He’ll be retiring from the Army at 45 both our kids are adults currently 22 and 18 so we’re excited for this next stage for us.

The American dream.....own a house and work until you’re 65. Retire and.....begin to live finally? I think that dream is changing for a lot of people now. Why not live every day all the time instead of waiting 50 years!

Just signed on our Alaska property. House up for sale now. Debt free will feel heavenly and my patch of heaven in AK will be the icing on the cake.

Anchorage is so beautiful, and really large. I thought it was more like a small city. The Christmas lights and snow makes it look like a fairytale. You two young soul's are just really so sensible. What you have achieved I Salute you both. By the way you both now look in your early 20s. Thank you so much for sharing this information. Typical me, watching this now when it should have been a few years ago doh. Kindest thoughts from Australia xx

So inspiring for many for sure. I stayed in Guatemala 3.5 yrs ago when I came for vacation. I'm retired/disabled and was not able to live a self sustained life in USA. I found I could rent a nice apt, eat local produce and still have the ability to socialize and take a variety of classes and workshops to expand my healing and spiritual growth. I did get some nasty parasites 3 yrs ago. Locals gave me a plant that I brewed and presto... Its a matter of letting go of preconceived notions about what one actually requires to life purposefully and mindfully. Blessings of abundance and wisdom

I loved living in Alaska. Now that I can't see well enough to drive, I stay in the lower 48. I love how you both get the spirit of the place and honor it. Blessings to all you touch.

When I was growing up my mom would load us into the car and drive around Anchorage looking at houses, especially the Christmas lights. Also a great way to learn a town and how to get around in it.

I applaud your decisions and your drive to thrive on your own terms. I've worked at my own business for nearly 30 years; countless weeks working 100 hours. Now at this stage in my life I just work to have health care, which is more a month than my mortgage. Having cancer has reminded me that life is so short and you should live the way you want to live. So if you don't mind, I will live vicariously through you two.

It truly is like you say. Less is more. In 2014 I sold almost all of my stuff and moved to South America. This was the best move I have ever made.

Ariel: “Two months later we were driving across Canada to come to Alaska!” Me, using 1/2 hour to get my children to put their shoes on. That’s just their shoes. Not counting the rest of their clothes: 😠😩😒😢

I've been watching y'all for almost 2 years, but this is the first I have watched this video. I absolutely love your story, and your points about time being valuable. Stop talking about it and just do it, is a fantastic phrase.

I just adore this young couple...your videos make me so happy! Ariel is a doll and Eric is a cutie as well😌.

I have been watching your gardening videos for a long time, one of your recent videos you meantioned that when you lived in Oregon ..., I live in portland OR, I went through all your videos to your earliest video. Found this video, interesting to hear the reason why you moved to Alaska. You both made such a good team work, really like your videos on gardening canning... best wishes to you.

Getting rid of that mortgage is key. We're doing the same. We got rid of the bills we could and saved one of our incomes for a year then bought 14 acres of forest in Michigan for 2k an acre in 18'. Spent a few months buying materials to build our cabin, shed, outhouse and well house. Went to part time at work in April and started building, we can now live here fairly comfortable. Your first year garden blows ours away!

Y’all are some very smart and hard working young people, wise beyond your years 👍

It's a bonus that you are great vloggers and are able to (I assume) monetize this channel. With 400K+ subs I'd imagine it's a very nice subsidy. Good for you - I think it's great. Love your channel

Wow. I have even more respect for the both of you now! I thought you were both born and raised in the country and I come to find out you’re figuring it all out on your own! Subscribed!

We love this concept. We have now entered our fifties. Our hang up is medical insurance. What do you do for that? That's the missing piece of our puzzle. Paying for health insurance.

Wow... glad I found this video... my husband and I are about 3/5 years older than you two and also from the Bay Area... we didn’t want to pay the ridiculous prices so we moved to Washington and now only one of us needs to work... we still daydream of going further though, getting some land and being off grid/homesteaders.

I been ther to... and like to Anchorage!!... so simple!

I think your eco footprint more than allows for a frappe every now and then! 😂

I have a cousin who lives in Anchorage. She grew up in Florida. I get what you guys are doing.

Congratulations! Can you do a video on your monthly/annual expenses (budget) like truck insurance, fuel, food, clothes, repairs etc? Thanks

I feel the life you are living is the ideal life. Bravo for working hard, being financial responsible and taking the risk to live the way you do. We were once fairly close neighbors . . . I live in Monterey. LOVE your videos

LOVE THIS!! EVERY SEC OF IT! YOU GUYS ROCK! Great vid editing and soundtracks as well! Creates a mood... makes me envious....

On the plains of hesitation bleach the bones of countless millions who, at the dawn of decision, sat down to wait, and waiting died” ― George W. Cecil You guys are fantastic love your channel

You are an inspiration and I wish I had known someone like you when I was young. Following the traditional norms is good to a point --- but --- sometimes you wonder what could have been. Have said to my hubby of 45 yrs - let's move to Alaska -- and he has always said ok ,but not now, later. Still stuck here in the bay area and now it's 400 times worse. God Bless you and keep your dream alive and well.

10:40 She gave 0 reaction to the BMW joke .....lmfao

Small world(just subscribed,) a million years ago, I too came from Bay Area(Cupertino,) before Alaskan Adventures, other stuff, a finally France. WHAT A CHALLENGE for people not used to real winters, taking on Alaska, coming from California. Can't wait to follow more of your adventure in the uncoming months...cheers...rr Normandy, Fra.

My husband and I have a house in the Bay Area that we are planning to sell. We both want to be debt free without conventional jobs too. I think what you two are doing is fantastic and I’ve been enjoying your channel. Keep livin’ the dream!

I was wondering when you would mention the frappé. Love your channel by the way. Y'all are doing what at 40 I'm still striving toward. Edit: I also greatly appreciate your down-to-earth way of presenting yourselves. Doesn't seem like you wear facades, which is something that is very rare.

I felt the same way..working 60+ hours a week in an office, at a computer..I just saw my boss being 60 years old and making lots of money being an engineer but doing nothing to enjoy all his hard work.. bought a home in the blue ridge mountains for cash.. moved from Florida. Within a few months of time. Now I work remotely but also enjoy life.. I also love my job with my engineering firm but I also wanted to experience the world and explore . Life is short. Explore your world.

There,I often wondered why would you leave for a cold area....now that I watched this video it all makes sense. Hope it all works out over the long haul!

Your smart I’m 57 and been retired for 7 years trust me your doing the right thing stress level zero for most parts

I did the same thing but I didn't get the nerve until 55 but I love it. I'm literally selling everything that is not necessary and moving to the country period.

We had a farm in Texas. We moved 4 years ago to Fairbanks, Ak we love it. We have chicken and hope to have goats next year.

I'm a new subscriber and at first I was like what the hell or why would anyone want to live like you do (being a small house) and all, and then I watched more videos and I found myself applauding you both. When I was younger I rocked and rolled in work on our farm, but was into cows, horses, goats (that I used their milk) to make old fashion lye soap. So again I applaud all you do + living in Alaska. So keep making videos for me to watch

I guess you were lucky/smart with getting a decent education and good jobs right from the start. It put you ahead of the curve. The freedom to make (spontaneous) decisions comes from the ability to build equity. It would seem you were already more frugal in your habits than most people in their 20’s. That’s how you were able to make the move so quickly. I’m on a similar journey for similar reasons. I have the land but it’s 3 more years before I move (no cabin yet). Being single makes it both easier and harder. But I’m focused on my “move by date” of April 2023

That intro is adorable!!!!!

You guys are so awesome and so cute together! And this is another of my FAV vids 💕

Thank you for sharing your story. I am new to your channel and love it. You both are living the dream for most of the world. I have to laugh at those who hit the dislike button because they must be jealous of you for following your dreams. Be safe and be careful my friends.

Thanks for giving us some insight. I love Alaska. Wanted to do the same thing back 15 years ago when hubby retired from the air force. he didn't think he could get a job..was fearful of us starving..lol but i grew up in North Dakota and now live in Minnesota. We are used to the weather. Anchorage is pretty nice place. By the airport there is a nice park with Moose. lol Take the turnagain arm drive from Anchorage to Seward some time in the summer or fall. Beautiful drive. thanks for the vlogs. slowly catching up.

your job is your channel and content now. that's a cool job...to share your life..

You kids work incredibly hard!! It’s awesome to watch your channel

Love the music you use. Reminds me of Thom Yorke

I love Anchorage. I cannot wait to go back Peter

What do you do for an income in Alaska whilst homesteading , how do you support your lifestyle economically with the supply’s , tools , gear , and machine’s needed, (quads , boats , gas etc. etc. etc.) I get you sold the House but that won’t last indefinitely. I’ve watched many of your videos unfortunately not in any normal order but I’m catching up. You guys are Rock Stars in my Book. 💋👍👍😎

you are making me miss my home town of sterling. love the vids. and mabie one day i will get back up there and live the same good ife. keep the vids coming you two. thank you.

Love your story on how you guy's got out to Alaska and the life's you decided to live. But i bet you feel like now your living the best year's of your life's. My wife and I are thinking of getting the heck out of the Bay amd head up north to Washington. Who knows might make the move you guy's did haha

Not sure why it just showed up, but am watching the Debt Free talk part two. Love watching your episodes. I really want this type of life, but being I’m 57 right now, I’m a little worried about starting it so late in my life. If we all weren’t guilty of our pleasures, we’d all be perfect, so I don’t care what you indulge in that stays with your morals and values, you two are truly blessed and right for each other. If people would look more for what makes them happy, than what money can buy to make them happy, we’d be a much better world, in my opinion. Enough of my ranting. On a side note, I hope you didn’t take my asking you about the netting for you chicken coop, in the chicken run negatively, I was just wondering if that had been an option you’d thought about. I was also thinking that maybe a person could find the netting in a government auction for cheap, lol. Keep on with your great vids, love em. Take care you blessed couple, keep staying real!!

I am 28 and feel the same way as you all do about time going fast. I have a wife and 3 children and didn’t see them much. I decided to start my own lawn care and landscaping business and I’m very glad I did. I make my schedule and make more money at the same time. And I get to see my family more. People definitely shouldn’t let fear keep them from taking a step in a different direction. It can be the best decision of your life if you approach it right and work hard, as these two do. Thanks for the videos and God bless. Congratulations on the new life.

So this was what I was drawn to :-) You guys being aware of what you want, what genuinely makes you happy, really hits different. It shows in every single video that you enjoy what you do. Also I love the fact that you guys are appreciative of living while actually knowing what makes it possible. Nice to know the back stories. Thanks for sharing your thought process!

Love your guy's videos! Hope to move to Alaska soon myself. And screw Oregon. Taxation is theft.

I love y’all’s choice of music

Wow. You guys are an inspiration!

Good for you. I love what you're doing. I love that so many people are going back to living simple lives.

Still my favorite episode of SLA

I stumbled upon y’all’s channel recently and have been binge watching your videos. I love all of y’all’s content and especially the message y’all share in this video! My husband and I are hoping to achieve this same goal of time and financial freedom. Also trying to figure it out and make it happen with 4 young children :) thanks for sharing!

Enjoying your content and watching out of order. Mainly wanted to watch this video to understand your motivation behind moving to Alaska and really appreciate your direct talk but it feels inauthentic to not talk about the RU-vid channel! That is a full time job in itself and definitely a considerable source of income if done right. Also imagine that your true experience living this life, doing the things you are doing (like moose hunting) is a lot more complicated when you have to document it and edit it to a certain standard. Does that not change the actual experience of doing these things...does it defeat the purpose?

We drove to Anchorage from central BC (in three days) in summer of 2005 to visit friends who now live on Big Lake near Willow. Alaska has got to be the most beautiful place I've ever seen, and Anchorage is a great not so big city that seems to pop up after driving through what looks like a moose refuge for days and days. We look forward to getting back up there in the next year or two with the camper.

I’ve been watching your videos for a week or so and realize that type of move requires a special relationship and commitment. It’s also filled with hard work continuously. Being from Napa and now in Texas I have thought many of times moving to Alaska but only made it to the realtor stage. You have shown me so much. Thank you and will follow your adventure.

I smile and laugh a bit when folks up here complain about "The bad traffic" in Anchorage...lol....they have never had to commute on 101 from South SF to San Jose or do the 880, 580 or 680 drive on a Friday ;) hahahhaha I was born in San Francisco and grew up in Novato myself. The commute from Marin into the city alone was ridiculous hahhaha...Nice to hear a bit of the back story! I am enjoying these videos greatly!

I know this video is 2 yrs old but I’m watching it again. If you are comfortable discussing it how do you keep money coming in to buy supplies, gas, etc

FYI. Your music is loud and when you speak is very low

I suppose having kiddos is outta question at this point ... right?! That thing alone completely changes your life in every possible way.

You guys are naturals at this! I would’ve thought you both grew up in the bush! I admire your lifestyle and we are working towards a simple life also! Praying for continued blessings for you both ♥️♥️

I know you sort of addressed the health cost issue. What are you doing about the Affordable Health Care Act fine for not having health insurance? As of now the fine has been dropped by the last Congress. Did you get a bill from government for not having health insurance. I have been a physician since 1972 and found it very fulfilling. Also had many adventures as child and adult. Follow your dreams and enjoy what you do.

So my wife and I are in our 50's, and we just moved last November 2018 to the Yukon from Ontario to do the exact same thing. You are wise beyond your years, doing thins while you are young and healthy. Great channel and content! Keep up the hard but great work.

Love it all, but what do you do for money and health insurance?

Did you look at other states in the lower 48 to go to, like Wyoming, Montana, Utah, etc? What put Alaska for you on top of the others for your choice of places to move to? With the exception of being landlocked, Wyoming seems to be the closest thing to Alaska as you can get with all of the wilderness and wide open spaces and low population density.

You are not really retired. I am retired. You still work. The difference is - you work for yourselves and set the hours and the goals. And since all the rewards are also yours, you work hard and long for something, with breaks to have fun. I can not think of a better way to do it! I hope others see what you have done and consider it for themselves.

No amount of stuff is better than the feeling of debt free.

what happens when you get older, pensions etc. do you feel any financial insecurity? living off interest from a nest egg? genuinely asking, nosily. that's what makes me worry about this lifestyle for myself

Well done guys! love to see those little trips around. Greetings from Argentina. Fede (and the mini Q&A was great!!!) :)

I know this video is a year old but you guys are an inspiration. Also I need to find me my Eric

The best thing about Anchorage is that it's only 30 minutes away from Alaska

What an awesome back story, I enjoyed this. I'm really impressed with y'all, so young yet so versed. I think Alaska was a great fit. Enjoy and keep on keeping on.

I don’t think I’ve seen part one yet but this was a great video. I have much admiration for people who choose to live their own life. Have you felt pressure in the past, by family or friends, to “conform to the norm”? Were you able to become debt free so fast by selling the house in Oregon and downsizing? Had you been to Alaska before deciding to move there? Sorry so many questions!

The difference is you don't go through McDonald's drive through or Starbucks every single morning or lunch or both like alot of people do. Nothing wrong with a treat when you have to go to town. Do you have a q&a video or do you plan on making one? Like if you plan on staying in Alaska long term? Or plan on having kids? Or having more farm animals?

Even tho I lived on the edge of town, on just a normal size lot with a modest 3 bdrm, 2 bath house.... I still had a large garden out back, veggies as well as herbs and several varieties of fruit trees. I canned/ dehydrated/ froze, etc... I made everything from scratch. I had chickens, bee hives, a couple horses, lots of dogs and cats.....and raised 4 kids who were comfortable digging in the dirt out back or off traveling the globe, sometimes by themselves at age 16+....all worked and paid their way through college, getting their master degrees......they are all very “earth conscious” and after watching them flourish in city life... they are all now in their 30’s and are moving towards selling their homes, etc. to do similar to what you two have done. This is where all those childhood skills I taught them will come in handy! 😂 (Makes a mother proud) 😊❤️ In my younger adult days... it was not normal to do all this......and “some” people thought I was “odd”.... I always had a full pantry even stocking up on things like toilet paper, flour, sugar, etc..... (but come COVID time, and with the shortage of food... guess who had plenty and was able to help feed the homeless from my pantry) 😂 NOW... several of those people want me to teach them how to preserve food. 😂😂

I have so much respect for you two...living your dreams! You're work ethic is amazing and I love all of your videos! They clearly show you two are a team that love and respect nature in all it's glory! BTW...love the new boat !!!

Loving your channel! I'm from Tracy CA, I've also lived in Soldotna AK (near Kenai) and I've been residing in Brisbane Australia for the last 12yrs, life takes you crazy places and in the blink of an eye too! Thank you so much for sharing your journey. Stay wild :P

I have to say I have watched other channels with couples living in Alaska, and I love your the best. You both are authentic, really work hard and live off the land unlike others that proclaim they do but not so much. I would not eat some of the stuff you slaughter and cook LOL but heck I guess we are all spoiled when we can go to a large store to purchase our meats etc. Thank you ..for being you

Are your real names Arial and Eric?? if so, amazing XD

You guys are such a sweet couple and it says a lot about your commitment to each other as homesteading is a 24/7 lifestyle to sustain even a daily, minimal life. I'm sure a lot more difficult and exhausting than the videos even show, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally and stressfulon a marriage. Best wishes for a continued successful and happy journey together!

Quality programming ☀️

Wow you guysyoung. heheh. Anyway follow your dreams.. but never to retire. Maybe be an entrepreneur...use the skills to support yourself..and set a business. May do a farm.and rental.property... homestead while starting a family. Cabin or Places like hostels to rent and a hill to do snownboarding sports and winters activities. That is your winter business. Get a land with hilly spaces.. Make it tourism as your main business whilst maintaining homestead farming..and all. You will be great in the next few years. The way you both buildings chicken coop is good enough compare to the ones I watch on the Tele about Alaska.. they are building the cabin more like a chicken coop. I think Alaska will be thriving with young couples like you guys.. wish you both the best of everything. BMW still a very good machine..the four wheels one.. so why not..the machine is design to take the brunt of the weather..like in Germany. Same as Volvo's vehicles.they are.made.to take the harsh weather

Ok..I just love that you bought your coffee at McDonalds instead of Starbucks. You saved about $10 but doing it that way. Speak volumes about how practical you you both are.

Alaska has been on my Bucket List for so long.. This just make me want to go that much more.. Thank you for the tour of Anchorage..

Monthly bills. Phone me too. Debut free is such a great feeling.. you two seem so content and happy. Great talk... You put your selfs in a great position to have a long wonderful life. Have a great night you two..!!

You rock. I envy you in a good way.

Well welcome to Alaska even though this was two years ago lol but hopefully you love it here

I'm glad you guys get to live that life and live off grid. But as far as consumerism, I'm constantly amazed at how many things you have I never could afford. Generators snow vehicles, regular vehicles, trailers, tools, chain saws. I see how much it takes and costs to live off grid. And of course now you have income from RU-vid. Overall I'd say you guys are spending quite a bit on things. Good for you.

Awesome!...I think it's hard for the Human Psyche to understand, it's not about the material things and keeping up with "The Jones'"....It's what makes you happy! It doesn't mean having lots of "stuff"....It's enjoying Life....Never been happier to rid myself of Houses, Rental Units, Taxes, People and stuff I never used!....Took me until 48yo....You guys 'ROCK'!.....Oh....I'm still on vacation since April 2010....I get up when I want!

So I need to ask if you are both not working how are you affording to live?

Excellent backstory! We're very much doing things for similar reasons and even got there in a similar fashion. I just don't think we could do the cold.😱 Great video.👍🙏

Awesome video. The wife and I are both currently in grad school, but have talked about homesteading whenever we get our loans paid off. Would love to hear about how you guys saved/budgeted money in order to live out there without financial worry (kind of). Thanks!!

You guys are so smart to do what you've done... specially at such a young age. And you shouldn't feel guilty about still doing some of the things you enjoy from your old life. I just really enjoy watching your videos and I envy you both. Thanks for sharing your life...

I always wondered how old you are. Caught that. You're doing a wonderful thing. I love following your channel. I hang out with you about every day. Love the Alaska outdoors, love you guys, love that you teach me something every video. Take care