Welcome to Retired & Rooted in Egypt!
I’m Matrell, a retired Navy veteran, entrepreneur, and American living in Egypt. This channel is for anyone who wants to create a retirement filled with freedom, purpose, adventure, and joy.
Here you’ll find honest conversations about retirement, my original Renee Carter story series, life in Egypt, retirement abroad, cost of living, travel, and practical inspiration for designing the next chapter of life.
Whether you’re retired, planning for retirement, or simply dreaming of a different future, you’re welcome here.
Retirement isn’t the end of your story—it’s the beginning of a brand-new one.
Join the R&R Crew - youtube.com/channel/UCjtGG18t6MogjE2IO-jaaHA/join
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🏡 Easy Egypt Properties: easyegyptproperties.com
📝 Blog: retiredandrooted.org
🛍️ Shop: retiredandrooted.com
Retired and Rooted in Egypt
🌿 **MONDAY MOTIVATION | PROGRESS YOU DON'T ALWAYS SEE** 💚
Good Monday morning, Crew! ☀️
Sometimes the most productive thing we can do is step away from our regular routine and take care of business!
This week, I'm doing exactly that. I'm taking a little break from producing new YouTube videos so I can focus on some personal responsibilities, business obligations, and a few projects that have been sitting on my to-do list a little too long. 😂
I've got taxes to finish, paperwork to handle, some learning to do, and even an outfit to make for an upcoming celebration!
**Just because you don't see the progress doesn't mean it isn't happening.**
One of the things I appreciate about this chapter of my life is having more control over how I spend my time. And sometimes that means knowing when to shift gears, handle what's important, and come back refreshed.
Don't worry, Crew! I've got Shorts and clips scheduled to keep us connected, and I'll be back with fresh videos in November. 💚
**Here's your Monday reminder: You don't have to do everything at once to keep moving forward.**
👇🏾 **What important task are YOU clearing from your list this week?**
Let's hold each other accountable and celebrate getting things DONE!
Wishing you a productive, peaceful, and purposeful week! 💚
#MondayMotivation #RetiredAndRooted #ProgressNotPerfection #LifeAfter60 #RetirementLifestyle
1 day ago | [YT] | 6
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Retired and Rooted in Egypt
💚 Happy Friday, R&R Crew! Let’s Talk About Peace of Mind!
Another week in the books, and I’m grateful to be here, healthy, learning, growing, and enjoying this life I’m building in Egypt. 🇪🇬❤️
First, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who watched, commented, shared, and supported this week’s videos. Whether you’ve been here from the beginning or just joined our little community, I appreciate you!
Yesterday, we talked about using savings interest as a source of retirement income. It’s an interesting possibility, but it also got me thinking about something bigger.
Financial security isn’t just about how much money we have saved. It’s about how confident we feel about our financial future.
For me, retirement is about having choices, maintaining my independence, and enjoying the life I’ve worked so hard to create. And while money plays an important role, peace of mind is just as valuable.
As we head into the weekend, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
💬 Beyond having enough money saved, what helps YOU feel financially secure in retirement?
Is it dependable monthly income? Being debt-free? Affordable healthcare? Having multiple income streams? Or simply knowing you can live comfortably within your means?
There are no wrong answers. We’re all building retirement on our own terms.
Wishing you a peaceful, beautiful weekend wherever you are in the world! 🌍💚
And remember, retirement isn’t just about making your money last. It’s about making your life count.
Real retirement. Real life abroad.
#RetiredAndRooted #RetirementInEgypt #RetirementPlanning #LifeAbroad
4 days ago | [YT] | 10
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Retired and Rooted in Egypt
💰 CAN YOUR SAVINGS BECOME A SOURCE OF RETIREMENT INCOME?
Hey R&R Crew! 🌍
We talk a lot about pensions, Social Security, and the cost of retiring abroad. But there’s another potential income source I want to explore: the interest earned on your savings.
Here in Egypt, I’ve been exploring how interest-bearing savings accounts can supplement retirement income.
But I’m curious about those of you living in other countries!
🌍 EXPATS: Are you using interest earned on your savings to help fund your life abroad?
🔘 Yes, it’s a major source of income.
🔘 Yes, but only as supplemental income.
🔘 No, I earn interest but reinvest it.
🔘 No, I don’t use savings interest for income.
Whether you’re living in Egypt, Thailand, Mexico, Portugal, or somewhere else, I’d love to hear your experience!
👇 Tell us what country you’re living in and whether savings interest is a realistic income source there.
No need to share your personal financial details. I’m interested in learning how different countries compare!
#RetiredAndRooted #RetirementAbroad #ExpatLife
6 days ago | [YT] | 6
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Retired and Rooted in Egypt
Renee made it official—her Egypt scouting trip is booked! 🇪🇬💚
Episode 4 was about more than choosing a destination. Renee had to look honestly at her finances, compare her options, decide what she needed to experience firsthand, and finally commit to exploring Egypt for herself.
A scouting trip does not mean you have decided to relocate. It means you are ready to replace assumptions with real information.
If you were planning a 30-day scouting trip, what would be the most important thing you would need to learn before making your decision?
If you haven’t watched Renee’s latest chapter yet, Episode 4 is now available on the channel!
1 week ago | [YT] | 8
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Retired and Rooted in Egypt
🌿 **R&R Crew, Let's Talk About Renee!**
Sometimes taking the next step takes a little longer than you planned. 💚
Renee’s Retirement, Episode 4 will premiere this Sunday, October 18! She’s moving beyond imagining life abroad and taking a real step toward exploring her options.
If you were planning a scouting trip, what would you be most excited to experience—and what would you need to check out before considering a move?
Have a beautiful weekend. I look forward to sharing Renee’s next chapter with you! 🌿
1 week ago | [YT] | 11
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Retired and Rooted in Egypt
💚 Hey, y’all!
I’m spending a little time catching up with my R&R Crew today!
Our members-only check-ins are where we talk about everyday life, what’s happening behind the scenes, and all the little things that don’t always make it into my regular videos.
Want to be part of the conversation? Join the R&R Crew and come hang out with us!
Real retirement. Real life abroad. Real conversations. 💚
1 week ago | [YT] | 10
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Retired and Rooted in Egypt
🇪🇬 **Could You REALLY See Yourself Living in Egypt?**
Happy Wednesday, R&R Crew! 💚
There's a big difference between vacationing somewhere and actually living there!
Before making a major move abroad, I believe a scouting trip is one of the smartest investments you can make. It's your opportunity to explore everyday life, ask questions, and discover whether a place truly fits your lifestyle.
**If you were planning a scouting trip to Egypt, what would you MOST want to learn before relocating?**
🏡 Housing options and neighborhoods
💰 Real monthly living expenses
🏥 Healthcare and everyday essentials
🤝 Community, culture, and fitting in
I'm curious to see your answers! And if there's something else you'd need to know, tell me in the comments.
**Real retirement. Real life abroad.** 🇪🇬
#RetiredAndRooted #RetireInEgypt #ScoutingTrip #RetirementAbroad #LifeInEgypt
1 week ago | [YT] | 12
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Retired and Rooted in Egypt
🌿 MONDAY MOTIVATION | DREAMING IS GOOD. TAKING ACTION IS BETTER!
Good Monday morning, Crew! 💚
How long have you been talking about retirement? Thinking about where you want to live, what you want to do, how much money you’ll need, and what life might look like when you finally have more control over your time?
Now let me ask you something…
What have you actually DONE to move yourself closer to that life? 👀
Listen, I love a good dream! But at some point, we have to move from “One day I’m going to…” to “Here’s what I’m doing about it TODAY.”
When I started thinking seriously about retiring abroad, I didn’t have every answer. And believe me, living in Egypt has taught me plenty of lessons I couldn’t have learned from watching YouTube videos! 😂
But I started taking steps. I researched, visited, asked questions, made decisions, and adjusted along the way.
And that’s what I want to encourage you to do this week.
Take ONE practical step toward the retirement you envision.
💚 Review your retirement savings.
💚 Write down what your ideal lifestyle would actually cost.
💚 Research a place you’ve been dreaming about living.
💚 Start planning that scouting trip.
💚 Or simply have an honest conversation about what you want your next chapter to look like.
It doesn’t have to be a giant leap. It just needs to be intentional.
At 60, I’m still learning, planning, building, and making adjustments. Retirement isn’t the end of having goals. It’s an opportunity to pursue them on your own terms.
Don’t spend so much time dreaming about your next chapter that you forget you can start writing it right now.
👇🏾 CREW, WHAT IS ONE PRACTICAL STEP YOU CAN TAKE THIS WEEK TO MOVE CLOSER TO YOUR RETIREMENT GOALS?
Let’s put some action behind those dreams!
#MondayMotivation #RetiredAndRooted #RetirementPlanning #RetireInEgypt #GenXRetirement
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 15
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Retired and Rooted in Egypt
Happy Friday, R&R Crew! 🌿❤️
Retirement should be about living well, not just living cheaply!
We’ve been talking about retirement budgets and the cost of living in Egypt this week. And there’s something I really want us to think about.
Just because you can live on less doesn’t mean you should have to give up everything that brings you joy.
For me, retirement is about having the freedom to enjoy my days, take care of my health, spend time with people I love, explore new places, and occasionally treat myself without feeling guilty.
Of course, we all have financial limits. But a sustainable retirement budget should reflect the life we want to live, not just the bills we need to pay.
Here’s my Friday question for you:
💬 What’s ONE expense you would NEVER be willing to sacrifice just to lower your retirement budget?
Is it travel? A comfortable home? Dining out? Healthcare? Your hobbies? Helping family?
I’m curious to see what matters most to our Crew!
Remember, the goal isn’t simply to retire cheaper. It’s to retire better, whatever that looks like for YOU.
Wishing everyone a peaceful, joyful weekend from sunny Hurghada, Egypt! 🇪🇬❤️
#RetiredAndRooted #RetirementPlanning #RetireInEgypt
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 11
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Retired and Rooted in Egypt
When people ask me, “Can I afford to retire in Egypt?” I’ve learned that the answer is about a whole lot more than cheap rent and groceries.
There’s housing. Healthcare. Utilities. Banking. Residency. Emergency expenses. And then there’s the lifestyle you actually want to live.
Tomorrow, I’m sitting down to talk about the real numbers behind retiring in Egypt—and the difference between simply being able to survive here and being able to live comfortably.
But before I share my thoughts, I want to hear from YOU.
What concerns you most about affording retirement in Egypt?
POLL:
* 💰 Monthly living expenses
* 🏠 Housing and utilities
* 🏥 Healthcare and emergencies
* 🏦 Banking, visas and moving money
#RetireInEgypt #RetirementPlanning #RetirementAbroad #LifeInEgypt #RetiredAndRooted
2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 10
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