Sold my house in London bought a property for less than half the price in torrevieja 🤙 enjoy your new life ❤ 5 years in Spain now, been the best 5 years of my life too ! ❤
Very enjoyable video Steve. Great to hear your transformation and your road to freedom. I agree that it is possible to live on much less than we think we can. Working less also costs less! I discovered that when a job I was in came to an end and I had to start looking for work on my own. I now spend winters in Canaries or mainland Spain. I love the simplicity of waking up to sunshine every day, three square meals and no drama. That probably explains why I enjoy your channel. All the best to you.
Hi steve I've subbed going back and didn't watch all the vlogs to be honest , but always have an interest in spain as I hope to at least have a holiday home out there one day or live full time , never married no kids , own house work hard , traveled to Thailand meself on occasions, you've done all the right moves to get you way you are and fair play , I needed to see this vlog 😅 tonight I was going to buy a tv for 2000 euros, do I need it no the TV I have now works just fine 😂 looking forward to seeing your new place all the best Derek in meath 👍
Absolutely outstanding video Steve. I also retired early, and went through the same process of "what are my outgoings versus what's coming in". Like you, with a bit of tweaking, I realised I could make it work. I really liked your comment that "Peace of mind brings contentment". I totally agree.
Indeed you’re right Steve, we are all addicted to buying crap we don’t need. You have broken free and simplified your life, well done and keep up the good work!
It was good listening to him reinforcing the point. I have so much stuff and only 9 months to get rid. 3 cars, 2 motorbikes, 9 bicycles and l can't even get to the bikes because the garage is full of crap! 😂
Brilliant video mate, you've made a wise choice, lots of people get stuck chasing money and lose out on their best years, only thing that matters is HEALTH. Enjoy that ☀️🍻
Great journey and story, thanks for sharing fella. Something to bear in mind; even high interest cash accounts will lose purchasing power rapidly, a better plan would be to research investiment strategies, such as inexpensive mature investiment platforms and funds from Vanguard. I've just consolidated several pensions and by using funds which have returned on average 10% to 16% over the last 15 years, allowing my hard earned money to grow. In cash, no matter what interest they pay, you'll always lose and it can be a rapid depreciation. For example, cash will depreciate in purchasing power by around 50% over 15 years. Keep up the great work and relax.
Further to your advice . An investments performance in previous years means not a lot looking a head . The previous 10% plus returns you mention were all to do with a zero interest rate environment that went on for over 15 years and that drove up all assets . That period has passed and although no one can predict the future it’s looking those assets / stock prices are due to drop ….. you are right that historically cash under performs other assets over time but it looks like in the short term cash 💵 is going to increase its value and all other markets will fall. So listen and remember rambling Irishman what I am saying …… cash is king 🤴 for the next while , take the 5% interest savings rates for doing no work or taking no risk . Cash savings rates are now beating inflation so keep your cash in the bank and relax and times change again it will be obvious and no great secret 🤫 and then consider investment in assets other than cash 💵
@@Johndoe10007 feel free to back test over 150 years of stock market data against bonds or worse still cash in the bank, you will find cash loses purchasing power at 50% over 15 years and stocks ALWAYS out perform assuming a c.10 years investiment period. You'll also be aware of tax implications of savings too and that the real CPI and assets increase annually at around 10%. So if people want to remain in the matrix and wage slaves, then save hard earned money in a depreciating asset such as cash, if you want to preserve wealth for yourself and family then stocks and higher volatile assets are the only way. Cash is trash.
This is an inspirational video, Steve. I'm on the verge of making big positive changes following the death of my father. Both parents gone now. Am 59, no kids, single. Need to leave a lot of negative people behind. Your story is giving me hope that a better life is genuinely possible. 🙏 Thank you. 😊
Hiya Steve, Im not one to comment on you tube but this latest video was your best to date. I arrived in Spain in feb 2019 off the back of a divorce and realising the house in Bristol full of clutter and memories wasn’t for me. So I too did the ultimate life laundry selling the house it’s contents even the car. Weeks later I was on the motorbike and having arrived in Santander on a ferry rode south to Guardamar and a new life. I had a flat here that became my home and months later with covid everywhere found myself trapped here in Spain. Not trapped of course a much more relaxed lifestyle and like you had seen the futility of owning stuff versus my freedom and peace of mind. I hope someone else hears your wise words and as you said ‘go for it’ Good luck with your life here in Spain and perhaps push the budget on the coffees for the chats and people watching.
Thanks Nick, the video has had a great response, it's hit a cord with a lot of people like yourself. And well done on making such a big change to your future...aren't we lucky we realised! 😊👍
Hiya Steve, One odd thing I’ve found is for many that leap into the totally different is meet with admiration but often seen as mad or foolish as the idea of relinquishing the material aspect of modern life is beyond them. Having watched all of your Spanish adventures to date I feel more brave and less mad and certainly happier, good luck like minded soul😊
Very incite full,been wanting to do this as I’m 56 now ,no debt except 4 g on mortgage ,own my own van paid cash.Btw I live in Tyrone a painter/decorator by trade. Seriously considering saving hard from now to 60 and selling up!
The video I wanted to hear, Yes fear is my problem 😮, change takes courage 😢, I have both but not in Abundance, I have around 1380 a month of Pension, English and Irish, Property paid for in Altos de Limonar. Still need Bathroom 🚽 updating, Not content in present circumstances , I will buy you a coffee soon as out in Mid July, like to meet up and see how you are getting along, When you getting Keys for Villamartin If you are Happy and Healthy you are Wealthy 😊, it sounds like you are Wealthy 😅 Thanks for great insights in to your Financial situation, must get a bottle 🍾 of courage 😊
I have been following your channel and I find your honesty and down to earth approach is very insightful. I might bump into you when I am over the end of June visiting family 🎉
My favourite video to date ;) I wish you luck in your new adventure and your new home. Will continue to watch your journey in Spain, make more videos and the algorithm will be on your side and you will get more subs. See u in the next one :)🎉
Brilliant video Steve and very thought provoking. I have so much stuff that it’s stressing me so having decided to sell my house I hope to get rid of most of it( including 2000 books I inherited!!)life is way too short as you say and I know only too well 💔You are looking well and am so happy for you x
Great video whit good advice like you say be brave and go for it definitely following suit. I’m saving every penny I can to retire early and enjoy life while I can down in Greece. There is no perfect place everywhere has its problems but wonts you except this you worry less about silly things that hold us all back.
Thank you so much Karen!! I didn't think you'd be watching 😊 I'm so lucky, in saying that....all this heat and blue sky, it's tough 🤣😂. Nice hearing from you x
Excellent video. Truly inspiring, Steve! First retired in my early 30s and took off sailing. Best decision ever! Now, getting ready to retire again, and might end up in Spain. Life is too short - YOLO!
Watched this yesterday .. you are an inspiration Steve .. Beautifully humble and I sincerely hope your new life will always make you happy .. thank you for the wise words 😊 .. Rosie , Newtownabbey
Great video Steve 👍 we are just waiting for our NLV to come through. Sold our house cashed in some pensions and moving out at 55. We’ve put a reservation deposit down on a little bungalow. Money will be very tight but hoping we can make it work. Your little flat in Villamartin is perfect for you and your doggies 🐶🐶. Well done fella you’re an inspiration 👍 ps I’ve bought you a coffee while I’ve still got money in our little pot 😂😂 xx
Hi Steve just came across your video by chance, I have been struggling to change my life for quite some time now. To retire and be happy and content in Spain. I first came to Spain in 1981 and never got rid of the feeling of being in the sun, cost of living cheaper than UK Also I love the people and the culture/food. How did you get over the issue of Brexit? when that happened I felt that was the last straw as I have never voted or trusted any of them. I do feel trapped here in UK things are getting worse with everything and I cant stand the weather or the people very depressing. Nice to chat / thanks Susan.😎
Hi Susan, brexit is a nightmare for people. I was fortunate because I have an Irish passport, which is EU, so it doesn't affect me. If you have a look at some of my earlier visit you can follow my story
Great advice apart from getting rid of debt. Don’t worry about paying off finance,credit cards,bank loans.keep to money,your going to need it when you start over.the banks are the last people you need to make right before you leave the country.
It really was like magic 🪄 the years I spent falling to stop smoking , the stress of giving up smoking was a white knuckle experience and then I read this book that tells me in the 1st chapter that as I read this book 📕 I will be so excited about the prospect of giving up smoking I will hurry to finish reading the book and that’s exactly what happened… amazing 🤩 I could not believe it but it was true
Watching from county Laois. Just came across your channel by chance. Starting to play catch up now on your videos😂... i enjoyed this one a lot. Would love to hear from you regarding the expense of owning/running your apartment going forward.. 👍
You've come a long way. Loved watching and listening to your story Steve keep up the good work. We're free Friday if you're about in Villamartin to help you with moving and getting things sorted with the car, medical and pardon 👍
Steve fantastic video thank you for the inspiration we done exactly what your doing back in 2002 and sold everything and moved to Javea on the Costa Blanca . Unfortunately a few years later due to financial pressures we returned to the rat race. We will be back in Spain in two weeks in our motorhome. Well done to you live your life 👍
Enjoyed that one Steve. I've trimmed down all the monthly expenses. And it's amazing how things /stuff holds you back. So give it a few years. I'll have to take the plunge. And would you believe it. Both of us dieing with colds . 🥴. I think we caught it on the plane home. I'll have to get rid of that part of the journey. 🤣
I have such admiration for what you've done. What an accomplishment! Thanks very much for breaking this down so clearly and giving your step by step process. It's giving me ideas and inspiration. I had just assumed you needed some kind of Beverley Hills income to do what you’re doing.
Very inspirational Steve. I enjoy your vlogs. I'm also thinking from the UK to Spain. I have dual UK/EU citizenship, which helps. Mortgage free, just cashed in a small pension and receive another defined benefit pension monthly. Single with no ties. So, in a fairly good position. However, I was wondering about health care in Spain. Is it private or national health? How does it work? What are the costs? Keep up the great vlogs Steve.
I'm doing similar. I don't understand financial mechanisms so advice to go to a financial advisor goes in one ear & out the other. I'd be giving my cash to a stranger to invest in things that l don't understand. That to me = stress. I don't care if my £ devalues, l've enough till pensions kick in. No offence intended, but we are all different.
@@TheRamblingIrishman l replied after reading another comment advising you to invest. Everybody keeps telling me to get a financial advisor when my mind doesn't work like that. I've enough and like yourself, it's in one place. 👍
@@TheRamblingIrishman That's exactly what we have done - it's so freeing! And there are no FAKE promises of lots of interest coming our way. We're in our 60s and have lived long enough to know that we want SIMPLICITY. One account each. It's an absolute joy.
When l was about to start chemotherapy, the oncology hospital told me very firmly to stay far away from not only smokers, but even people smoking e cigs. They explained that as a Cancer Hospital they spend millions of pounds every year on cancer research, and 100% e cigs and their vapes are a serios damage to your health...they said, the Gov wont tell you this, but we will ! So there you go, l hope this helps you save some more money each month....and your health to boot ! Also, on RU-vid, l watch a lot of The Ramsey Show / Dave Ramsey videos re how to save money and exactly how to line up the 'debt ducks' and which order to pay them off...seems like youre debt free now, but nevertheless his videos are soo interesting !
Hi Steve love your videos just a wee question when you took your dog to Spain from Ireland watt was the protacall and what was the cost if you don’t mind me asking I am a Irish passport holder looking to buy sum thing Valmartin toraveca cheers Alan & Christine
Hi, I'm glad you like my videos. There is a small ferry charge for pets, I can't remember how much I paid but it wasn't much. Dogs do need to have a pet passport, which is issued by your vet. It tells customs what vacations they have had but it's all you need to do to take them anywhere. I hope this helps 😊
Sorry I forgot to ask fellow Irishman When you sat down and done a budget to retire early how far ahead have you allowed for ? I’m only asking as like I said in my previous comment I intended doing the same as you . I’m definitely budgeting for what I need monthly to pay all the bills plus have a little left over but looking ahead I have a 30 year plan which may sound over the top. Now I know no one can foresee the future etc but for me not going broke in my old age is just as important as been brave to retire early. So my question is do you have a pension for later on in life or is it saveing etc no need to get to personal on your financial side.? At what age did you retire if I may ask all the questions are genuinely going to be helpful I’m in my early 50s . What about health care insurance! Meany thanks in advance
hi i recently started following your channel which I enjoy. Is it still possible to buy apartment near beach in Spain for under 100k. Thanks Pat from Louth
Yes, absolutely. For me, I found that the apartments you can buy in that price range close to the sea tended to be quite old and in a lot of areas hard to park. But certainly there are places under 100,000
