We Bought A Bookstore And Live On $209K A Year
Paola and Luke, a couple earning $209K annually, bought their local bookstore after Paola's successful YouTube career caused severe anxiety and health issues. They prioritized mental health and lifestyle alignment over maximum income growth.
Summary
Paola Merrill (29) and Luke Garing (37) live in Winthrop, Washington with their 22-month-old son Caspian, earning a combined $209,000 in 2025. Luke works as a field technician for land surveying making $63,000, while Paola earned the majority through YouTube, Patreon, book royalties, and Etsy sales. Living in an expensive rural area at the foot of the North Cascades, they purchased their home from Paola's parents at below-market value and rely heavily on family support for childcare and lifestyle maintenance. Despite their higher income, they spend significantly on food due to their busy schedules, choosing to buy meals rather than cook to invest time in their son and business. Paola worked at their local independent bookstore for over five years before purchasing it when her YouTube career, despite being at its peak, caused severe anxiety and panic attacks that led to health issues and hospitalizations. She transitioned from full-time content creation to bookstore ownership, adding crystals as a new revenue stream while maintaining YouTube as a side hobby. The bookstore's profitability varies dramatically month-to-month based on tourism and weather, but they view this career change as choosing sustainability and mental health over pure growth. Both partners emphasize that family support has been crucial to achieving their dream lifestyle, and they've found the transition has significantly improved Paola's happiness and health.
Key Insights
- Paola's YouTube career was at its peak and could have continued successfully for years, but caused severe anxiety and panic attacks that led to health issues requiring hospitalization
- The couple deliberately bases their spending on Luke's minimum expected income rather than Paola's higher but unpredictable YouTube earnings
- Paola worked at the local bookstore on and off for over five years before the opportunity to purchase it arose during her career transition
- Despite earning more money, the couple chooses to buy food rather than cook at home because it allows them to invest more time in their son and the bookstore
- The bookstore's profitability changes drastically month to month depending on tourism and weather patterns, but they've been able to prepare for these fluctuations
Topics
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