I thought that by the time I reached 64 years (this happens mid-February 2024), I would have the means to lead a steady existence.
I have had several successful careers in my time including 7 years of military service in the Royal Air Force Police and Operations Manager for a progressive Security company.
However, some 10 years ago I turned a side hustle into a business, creating websites for people, I never went beyond being a solopreneur but had a nice steady income which added nicely to the £250.00/month pension from the Royal Air Force.
And then came COVID, when I expected more people to migrate to being online with their business and whilst that may be true my existing base of customers at that time (mostly UK clients – I live in Spain now) started to dwindle.
People felt the impact of COVID and for my UK customers, Brexit flattened many businesses.
I still have a handful of clients but they equate to less than £1000/year and my overheads, not counting my time, are around £500/year and then I have an accountant and taxes to pay.
I have family in UK and a son living off the grid in Sweden, none of whom I have seen in 3 or 4 years, apart from my sister when I returned briefly for a funeral last year.
My passport is due to expire next month and I am unable to fund that and/or flights to visit my family, which hurts.
I am currently seeking new opportunities within my niche but, when you are in your 60s most people see you as “time served”.
In a couple of years I should be able to claim my UK pension and at least have something coming in (my RAF pension will pay the tax on it), but at this point, I am stuck relying on friends to keep a roof over my head and feed me….not a place I enjoy in any way but as it stands once I get to my UK public pension I will at least be able to pay my way again.
I hate putting my hand out for help, something totally alien to me, but here I am and appreciate any assistance you can offer.
The figure I hope for is £15000.00 in total, this will give me enough to live off for the next 2 years until I get my pension and of course, allow me at least to renew my passport and take a trip to see my family at least once in the next 2 years.
https://paypal.me/dominusowenmarkham