I need to tell you something that might surprise you: retirement isn't the end of your earning years. In fact, it might be the best time to start building new income streams.

 I know what you're thinking. "But I'm not tech-savvy." "I don't know anything about online business." "Isn't this all for young people who grew up with computers?"

 I really hope you did download my FREE report Digital Home Income Ideas that Actually Work

If not here’s the link – it contains 16 great ideas to get you started!

 I hear this all the time, and I'm here to tell you it's rubbish.

Let me explain why you—yes, you—are in a better position than most people to succeed with digital income projects.

The Retirement Advantage (That Nobody Talks About)

Here's what the "digital nomad influencers" won't tell you: being older is an unfair advantage in the 

online income world. 

Here's why:

 You Have Time—Real Time

A 25-year-old juggling a full-time job, young children, and a mortgage has maybe 5 hours a week to build something new. You? You can dedicate consistent, focused hours without the chaos. That consistency is worth its weight in gold.

 You've Lived Through Real Problems

Every successful digital product solves a problem. And guess what? You've actually lived through decades of problems and solutions. That experience is valuable. Someone searching for "how to downsize after retirement" or "meal planning for two" wants advice from someone who's been there—not a 22-year-old lifestyle blogger.

 You're Not Chasing Trends

Younger entrepreneurs jump from NFTs to crypto to AI to whatever's hot next week. You're more likely to stick with something sensible and see it through. That patience and persistence? That's what actually builds income.

 You Understand Quality Over Flash

The digital marketplace is drowning in slick-looking rubbish. What sells isn't always the flashiest product—it's the one that genuinely helps. You instinctively understand this. You don't need to be the coolest; you just need to be useful.

"But I'm Not Technical..."

Stop right there.

If you can:

• Send an email

• Browse the internet

• Take a photo on your phone

• Follow step-by-step instructions

...then you have all the technical skills you need.

 I'm serious. The tools available today are dramatically simpler than they were even five years ago. Platforms like Canva, ChatGPT, and Etsy are designed for regular people, not computer programmers.

And here's the secret: nobody is really "technical." 

 We're all just following instructions and clicking buttons in the right order. The only difference is some people have clicked those particular buttons before.

 The Real Question Isn't "Can I Do This?"

The real question is: "Which of these projects fits my life?"

And that's the beauty of what I'm sharing with you. You don't need to do everything. You don't even need to do most things. You just need to find 2-3 income projects (again check back in my free guide- Digital Home Income Ideas that Actually Work). that:

 Match your interests (or at least don't bore you to tears)

• Fit into your available time

• Require tools you're comfortable learning

• Generate enough to make a real difference

Let me give you some real examples:

Margaret, 68, from Bristol started selling her old books and unused kitchen gadgets on eBay. Within three months, she'd made £800. She then started visiting charity shops once a week to find underpriced items. She now makes £400-£600 monthly, and she genuinely enjoys the "treasure hunt" aspect.

Susan, 65, from Manchester spends 20 minutes most mornings entering competitions on Instagram while having her coffee. Last year she won: a £500 John Lewis voucher, a smart TV, a weekend hotel stay, and various smaller prizes. Total value? Around £2,000. Cost? Zero.

 These aren't exceptional people. They're not "naturals" or secretly tech geniuses. They just tried something new and stuck with it long enough to see results.

 What You Actually Need

Let's be brutally honest about what's required:

Time: 5-10 hours a week to start. Once things are running, many of these income streams become largely passive.

Money: Most of these projects cost nothing to start. A few (like print-on-demand or AI art tools) might need £10-£30 monthly once you're ready to scale up.

Patience: You won't make £1,000 in your first week. But £50-£200 in your first month? Absolutely possible. And that grows from there.

Willingness to Learn: Not tech skills—just openness to trying something unfamiliar and not giving up after one failed attempt.

The "Portfolio Approach" to Retirement Income

Here's my recommendation: don't put all your eggs in one basket.

 Instead, think of building a small portfolio of income streams:

• One "quick win" project (like selling items you already own or smartphone apps) to generate immediate cash and build confidence

• One "creative project" (like digital printables or print-on-demand) that's more fun and can generate passive income

• One "long-term builder" (like eBooks or Substack) that takes longer but compounds over time

 This approach means you're never dependent on one platform, one product, or one market. If Etsy changes its algorithm or one product stops selling, you've got other income flowing.

 My Challenge to You

I want you to commit to just one thing: pick one project from this guide and give it 30 days.

Not half-hearted attempts. Not "I'll try when I have time." I mean a genuine 30-day commitment where you:

1. Follow the instructions properly

2. Use the AI prompts and tools suggested

3. Create at least one product or complete the setup

4. Actually list/sell/upload something

5. Track what happens

 At the end of 30 days, you'll have one of three outcomes:

1. You've made some money (even £20-£100 counts as a win)

2. You've learned it's not for you (also valuable—now you can try something else)

3. You've discovered you actually enjoy this (and want to scale up)

 All three outcomes are useful. What's not useful is staying exactly where you are, wondering "what if?"

 The Truth About Retirement in 2025

Retirement isn't what it was for previous generations. Pensions don't stretch as far. The cost of living keeps rising. And frankly, many of us aren't ready to just "wind down" at 65 or 70.

You've got skills, experience, time, and (probably) a reasonable internet connection. That's all you need to start building something that brings in an extra £200, £500, or even £1,000+ per month.

Not to replace your pension. Not to make you rich. Just to give you breathing room, a sense of purpose, and the satisfaction of proving you're still very much in the game.

So, let me ask you: what's one project you're willing to try for 30 days?

I’m Tony Phelps, a retired publisher learning how to boost my pension 

by building a digital publishing business from home

 Cheers

Tony

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 Email: tony@tarlmarketing.co.uk

 Website: Tarl Marketing.com