My parents died two years ago, that's not what this blog is about but I bring them up to prove a point.
I was told to find a good job, be loyal to my company and they would be loyal to me. They would take care of me, that's what my dad said. It was true for them.
My father's pension and his social security were more than he made when he was working full time. He retired at 55 with a full pension, still able to enjoy his life. He continued to work, here and there, to help other people out, but he also got to do the things he loved.
I am 61 years old and this has not been true for me. In my adult life I've worked for three companies. Giving them years of service for very little in return. Raises, even cost of living, are no longer the norm. And forget a pension, no one offers that anymore.
I'm not placing blame. I should have been better prepared, I should have put money away. I did not. I was a single mother and extra money was something other people had. My 401K is tiny. It will not support me in retirement.
It's time to do something about this. So, the real reason for this blog. I am not particularly tech savvy (thus the free blog platform) I don't have extra money to invest, I'm not an influencer, I'm not well connected, I don't have a slew of successful friends to help me out so I'm starting from scratch.
I am 61 years old and have set a goal to be financially self sufficient by August of 2026. I've picked that date for personal reasons, my "why" as all the influencers say, but it's pretty important to me.
I will be trying new things to create passive income. I need additional income if I am ever going to retire.
I am not new to trying to figure out a way to make money.
- I've written and published a novel, a novella and an instruction guide for moving.
- I've made crafts and opened an Etsy shop
- I've tried digital marketing
- I still shop for instacart
- I've driven for Uber
- I've done people's laundry
- I've even been guilty of being sucked into a few MLM's ( I do live in Utah so it's almost mandatory)
