The Problem: Your Retirement Plan’s F*cked
You did what they told you. You worked hard, saved what you could, maybe even paid off the house. But it wasn’t enough.
The system you’ve depended on your whole life hasn’t worked since 1978.
Real wages have been stagnant while costs have gone out of sight. Inflation’s a bad joke. Healthcare eats your lunch. God help you if you need assisted living or in-home help when you get older. “Safe” withdrawal rates don’t feel very safe anymore. And all this complicated by a federal government that’s gone fiscally insane while no one in either party is going to do anything to fix it.
So yeah, you’re f*cked.
Let’s do the math. A million bucks pulling 4% gives you about $3,300 a month before taxes. So even that isn’t enough to live on.
And if you’re like most people and have a whole lot less than that stashed away, you’re not looking at retirement, you’re hoping for survival.
So what’s a grey-haired boy to do?
You could hope for a miracle.
Or you could build something.
The Solution: Since You Don’t Have a Nest Egg, You Need Cash Flow
You’re not going to save your way out of this. Not at this stage.
If you had an extra 20 years, maybe you could stockpile enough in a retirement account to live off the interest. But you don’t. And even if you could, the rules keep changing, the dollar keeps shrinking, and the market isn’t exactly a sure bet.
What you can do is build something that pays you every month—something that throws off income whether or not you clock in.
That’s the game now. Cash flow. Not some mythical pile of savings you’re afraid to touch.
And the good news? You can build that income right from home.
I’m not talking about get-rich-quick nonsense. I’m talking about real work, with a real upside, that fits the way life looks after 60. Work that’s flexible. That uses what you already know. That doesn’t require a massive upfront investment or a 40-hour grind. Work that lets you sleep in your own bed, on your own terms.
When I started down this path, I was way behind the curve. I was tired. Burned out. Carrying too much debt and a big chunk of regret. Seriously short of the second comma.
But I wasn’t ready to crawl under a rock or live in a refrigerator box. And I knew sitting still was the worst financial decision I could make. So I got moving. And when I did, things started to shift.
If you’re ready to do the same, I put together a free guide that lays it all out: the systems, the strategy, and the steps that helped me build income from scratch in my third act.
👉 Click here to get the UnFck Your Retirement guide
This isn’t theory. It’s a blueprint. If you’re serious about fixing the comma that’s missing from your portfolio, start there.
Now, let’s look at seven ways you can build that cash flow—starting today.
I’m going to walk you through seven options. Some online, some offline. Some with big upside, some better suited for simplicity. They all work—but they don’t all work for everyone.
I’ll tell you which ones I prefer and why. But your job isn’t to find the “perfect” one. Your job is to pick one and get moving.
Because sitting still is the most expensive choice you can make.
1. Affiliate Marketing
You promote someone else’s product, and when someone buys through your link, you get paid. No inventory. No tech headaches. Just a link and a plan.
Why it fits: Low cost, flexible hours, and once it’s built, it can keep working for you. It’s a good fit if you like writing, teaching, or helping people solve problems.
Reality check: It takes time to get traction. Most people quit before they get paid. And you’ve got to be willing to learn a few online skills like traffic and content. But it works.
2. Network Marketing (MLM)
Say what you want about MLM, but done right, it’s a simple business and perfect for guys like us. You sell a product you believe in, bring others in, and build recurring income from a team.
Why it fits: Low startup cost. Built-in training. And you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. If you’re good with people and don’t mind starting conversations, this could work.
Reality check: The stigma is real, and not everyone’s cut out for recruiting. Some companies are trash. You’ve got to pick a good one and treat it like a real business, not a lottery ticket.
3. Online Coaching or Consulting
If you’ve got experience—business, trades, parenting, leadership—you can get paid to share it. One-on-one or in small groups over Zoom.
Why it fits: You’re not starting from zero. No inventory, no warehouse. Just you and your experience.
Reality check: You’ve got to find clients. That means marketing yourself. Income is usually tied to your time unless you systematize it. Still, it can be a good place to start.
4. Freelancing (Writing, Admin, Tech Help)
Turn the skills you used in your career into freelance gigs. Virtual assistance, writing, editing, even customer service work.
Why it fits: Flexible, low startup, and tons of platforms exist to find work. Good if you want quick wins and part-time hours.
Reality check: Pay is all over the map. You’ll compete with folks working for peanuts overseas. And you still need to sell yourself a bit.
5. E-Commerce (Dropshipping, Etsy, eBay)
Sell physical stuff online. Either your own handmade goods or dropship from suppliers.
Why it fits: If you like tinkering, crafting, or deal-hunting, this scratches that itch and can make money too.
Reality check: Dropshipping sounds easier than it is. Margins are slim and customer service can be a hassle. If you’re doing handmade stuff, scaling is tough.
6. Content Creation (YouTube, Blog, Podcast)
This one’s more long-term. Build an audience around your knowledge or stories. Monetize with ads, affiliate links, or sponsorships.
Why it fits: If you enjoy sharing what you’ve learned in life, this is a powerful platform. And once it’s rolling, it can generate passive income.
Reality check: This is not fast money. It might take a year before you see a dime. But if you stick with it, the leverage is big.
7. Local Service Business (Tutoring, Pet Sitting, Handyman Work)
Sometimes the best business is close to home. If you’re handy, like kids, or enjoy animals—there’s probably a service you can offer locally.
Why it fits: Simple to start. Low cost. You already know the community.
Reality check: Time-for-money model. You still need to hustle to find clients. But it’s real income, quickly.
Why I Favor Affiliate and Network Marketing
The reason I stick to affiliate and network marketing is simple: they scale without eating all your time.
You’re not stuck trading hours for dollars. You don’t need to stock shelves or hire staff. You just need a laptop, a few basic skills, and the right system.
And that’s what I’ve built. A plug-and-play system that gives guys like us a way to build $1K to $5K a month from home without losing our sanity. And with a bit of time, the upside can go a lot higher than that.
Final Word: Don’t Wait Another Year
I’ve been broke. I’ve lost houses, filed bankruptcy, even lived off food storage when the money ran dry. I know what it’s like to feel stuck, to feel ashamed, to feel too late.
But you’re not too late. You just need a plan.
This is the part of your life where you either double down on excuses—or you decide you’re not going out like this.
No one’s coming to save you. But you’ve still got time to save yourself.
If you want help getting started, I put together a free guide: “UnF*ck Your Retirement.” It’ll walk you through how I went from broke and bitter to building cash flow from home.
Let’s build something solid for your third act. I’ll help you every step of the way.
