In this short podcast episode, Susan shares a simple but important message

Making money online is a profession, not a gimmick

For many people over 50, the idea of building income online still feels uncomfortable

Years of hype, exaggeration, and empty promises have created understandable scepticism

But as Susan explains, the problem isn’t the model it’s the way it’s often presented

Before moving online we were self‑employed professionals living with the familiar feast‑or‑famine reality and no pension safety net

What they were looking for wasn’t a shortcut, but something legitimate, ethical, and sustainable

In the episode, Susan talks about why so many capable people feel stuck online not because they lack effort, but because they’re overwhelmed by conflicting advice and too many options

Confusion, not laziness, is usually the real barrier

The solution is clarity and structure. Just like any other profession, building income online works best when you learn real skills, follow a clear framework, and stay consistent long enough for progress to compound

Susan also shares why education, community, and support matter especially for people who’ve tried before or are starting later in life and why approaching this professionally can create more freedom, flexibility, and peace of mind around the future

🎧 Listen to the full audio episode above and take a few minutes to reflect on whether the next chapter of your life deserves a more intentional approach

No hype. No pressure. Just perspective so you can decide for yourself

Thanks for listening

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We’re back from a wonderful 4-day city break in Lisbon Portugal – a few days of walking, talking, exploring, eating well, and simply enjoying a change of scenery

And it reminded us (again) why we designed our business the way we did

While we intentionally stepped away from day-to-day work, our business didn’t stop…

People joined our business and commissions continued to come in…Not because we were “working harder,” but because the foundations were already in place

In fact, all we really did was share a little of what we were enjoying in Lisbon on social media each day and that’s exactly how our business is designed to run

And yes we did get to see the famous #28 Tram that runs around the centre of Lisbon as well as many other fun things

That’s what freedom looks like to us

Not doing nothing — but having choice.

And choice doesn’t happen by accident

It’s built on decisions, habits, and principles repeated over time

Which brings us to something we wanted to share with you today

We recently watched a video by Dean Graziosi called “Your 10 Personal Principles for a Successful 2026”

➡️ Watch the video here

After you’ve watched it here’s a recap of these principles…

Principles that apply whether you’re building an online business, planning retirement, or simply wanting more from this next chapter of life

(Dean Graziosi–inspired)

1. Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life
No blaming. No excuses. Every choice you make shapes what comes next.

2. Protect Your Mind and Focus
What you allow into your attention determines your results. Guard it wisely.

3. Surround Yourself with the Right People
Your environment matters. Choose people who encourage growth and possibility.

4. Set a Vision – Then Act Daily
Big goals only work when they’re translated into small, consistent actions.

5. Take Bold, Uncomfortable Action
Growth lives just outside your comfort zone. Waiting costs more than trying.

6. Be Solution-Focused, Not Problem-Focused
Ask better questions: How do I move forward from here?

7. Persist Until You Succeed
Progress beats perfection. Every step counts if you refuse to quit.

8. Say No to What Doesn’t Serve Your Growth
Your time and energy are valuable — protect them.

9. Build Discipline in the Small Things
Daily habits around health, focus, and consistency compound over time.

10. Think Big — Daily
Success isn’t one decision. It’s a mindset you choose every day

Reading through these, we were struck by how closely they align with what we’ve experienced over the last 15+ years

Freedom – whether that’s travel, flexibility, better health, or financial security is rarely about one big leap

It’s about living by principles that support the life you want, day after day

And this is exactly what we encourage you to do too…

Build something that supports your life – not one that traps you in it!

Because mindset and principles are the foundation of every successful lifestyle business and every fulfilling next chapter

To help you set those all important goals and prepare you each day for a better life check out the app we use daily here

In our next newsletter we have some exciting news for you to help you build your freedom faster!

There was a simple line we saw recently on a poster outside HolaBank here in Spain and it stopped us in our tracks and made us smile

Two people were standing on a beach and it said…

“If you have someone with you, everything is possible”

We’re lucky 🍀we have each other and worked with each other most of our married life

The more we’ve thought about it, the more we’ve realised just how true that is especially at this stage of life

So many people we speak with are over 50, experienced, capable, and full of stories…

And yet what they’re often missing isn’t motivation, intelligence, or effort

It’s someone to walk alongside them

We see this pattern often

People who’ve already taken action, shared their story, and inspired others but feel unsure about the next step

Not because they lack ability

But because they’re asking a very human question

“How do I turn what I’m doing into something that truly helps people and actually works?”

And that’s where guidance, structure, and having someone with you changes everything

This time of year, when goal setting is front of mind, the first step isn’t pressure or perfection it’s clarity

And one simple reminder from a recent training really stayed with us

Have fun this year

We love 🩷 that

Because growth doesn’t have to feel heavy especially when you’re not doing it alone

And this is exactly why we do what we do…

This Friday, we’re off to Lisbon in Portugal for a short city break a few days to see a musical (our daughter got Susan tickets to Cats for her 70th birthday)

We’re meeting our digital nomad friends who live in Portugal and will do some fun things like a city tour on a motorcycle and sidecar and take a tram ride

Travel and experiences are always on our mind

Not as an “escape”, but as a reminder of the freedom we’ve intentionally built

Our business continues to run while we’re away, with very little required beyond staying lightly connected and sharing what we’re up to

That flexibility didn’t happen by accident it was a choice

And it’s exactly the kind of lifestyle business we encourage you to create too

Because we only get one life…

And it deserves to be lived – not postponed

As always we want to give you something to help you get your year off to a good start

So here’s something that we believe is so important

🎯 How To Shape Not Just Goals But Direction for 2026

We recently went through a powerful training that asks some simple but crucial questions…

The kind that help you shape not just goals, but direction for 2026

We’d like to share it with you here because clarity comes first

And we often need a little help with that…

To reflect, decide and move forward with intention especially if you’re building (or considering building) an online business as part of your retirement lifestyle

You can watch it here

Join us for our next newsletter where we’ll share Your 10 Personal Principles For A Successful 20206

And talk about our trip to Lisbon

Until then…

As we step into the very first newsletter of 2026, we want to begin with something that feels grounding, honest, and important

Time passes quickly

We’re reminded of that more and more with each year and perhaps you are too

That’s why a book that’s been on our minds again is The Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware, based on a blog post she wrote years ago that went on to reach more than 8 million readers

In her work caring for people at the end of their lives, five themes came up again and again

I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me

I wish I hadn’t worked so hard

I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings

I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends

I wish I had let myself be happier

They’re simple words

As we begin 2026 – a fresh chapter…

It feels like a powerful reminder that none of us want to look back with regret, wondering why we didn’t make different choices when we still had time

For us, this is why we’ve always talked about both health and financial stability

Because without health, freedom loses its meaning

And without financial security, choice quietly disappears

Over the past 15+ years (we’re now beginning our 16th year online), we’ve seen how the right support, skills, and mindset can completely change what later life looks like

Not overnight

But steadily, intentionally, and with purpose

This is also why we’re so careful about what we recommend

We’re also now sharing these newsletters as short audio episodes and blog summaries, so you can engage in whatever way suits you best

⭐ Recommended Resources

(Only what we know, use, and trust ourselves)

💻 Home Business Academy (HBA)

HBA is where we learned and continue to refine the skills of online business and affiliate marketing

Why we recommend it

Because financial wellness matters

This is the education that helped us create residual income, flexibility, and choices – especially important as we move through our later-life chapters

Explore Home Business Academy here

🧠 Amare Global – The Mental Wellness Company

Amare focuses on mental wellness, gut health, and emotional resilience – areas often overlooked, but absolutely foundational

The pandemic opened up a ‘pandora’s box‘ and much of the world woke up to taking better care of their mental and physical wellness

Why we recommend it

Because staying well physically and mentally is just as important as staying financially secure

And for those who choose, it also offers a way to earn alongside using products we genuinely love

Explore Amare here

We genuinely feel they go hand in hand because what is wealth without health!

If you want to change your life change your mind!

Before you leave pick up a copy of our book The Hybrid Retirement Blueprint

How to build A Predictable $3000-$5000 Monthly Residual Income (even if you think it’s too late) – blending purpose, leisure and freedom for your perfect hybrid Retirement

Join us for our final Living The Retirement Lifestyle newsletter of 2025

As we sign off on the final newsletter of 2025, we just wanted to pause and wish you a very heartfelt

Happy New Year

Feliz Año Nuevo

Hand on heart 2025 has been a year of ups and downs, twists and turns
But through it all, we’ve stayed positive, never let go of our dreams, and learnt a lot

If there’s one lesson that stands out, it’s this

Time is our most precious asset

So as you step into 2026, our wish for you is simple

Don’t waste your time

Be intentional with your time

Choose to spend it with people who genuinely care about your growth,
who value your experience and who want to help you move forward not keep you stuck

Because later life isn’t about going it alone

It’s about learning, growing, and building alongside people who truly understand where you are and where you want to go

We believe 2026 is going to be an important year

So step into this new year with the mindset of success

Trying something new

Taking a risk

Developing skills

Making memories while life is still a little messy

Because your life doesn’t shape itself

You do

We’re signing out from our home in Spain

It’s a little chilly today, but there are glimpses of blue sky and we have our traditional grapes ready for when the clock chimes midnight

Whatever 2026 holds for you, we hope it’s filled with health, freedom, meaningful work and people who truly matter

Here’s to the very best chapter yet

Cheers

Chris & Susan

Because this felt like one of those messages that mattered, so we’ve done something new

If you’d prefer to listen rather than read, Susan recorded an audio version of this email in her own voice – just as if we were chatting together

We hope it feels like a warm send-off into 2026

It’s what you are listening to here

Join us for the first podcast of 2025 celebrating our new life in Spain on the beautiful Costa del Sol.

After Mum passed away in 2022 and our caring responsibilities ended and all our children having left the nest we decided it was our time and this year we received our visa to live and work in Spain

Retired but not retired 🤣 because we can never see ourselves doing nothing if we’re honest

Today we have what we’ve called The Hybrid Retirement – we work because we love what we do but we also have an enjoyable and fun life exploring new hobbies and sports we never had time for

And if you can incorporate the 5 Pillars of Life After 50 you can have a pretty amazing life

A little introduction first if we have not yet met

Chris and I have been showing people 50+ in or approaching retirement how to make money online for 15 years and we’re passionate about better health and wellness alongside being financially secure and creating a lifestyle business that gives us choices for our retirement – what we call our Hybrid Retirement Lifestyle

We love all things digital marketing and sharing what works with our clients, friends and followers

Midlife is a new adventure after all!

We hope you will enjoy this and our future podcast episodes as we we share stories, tips and strategies for starting an online business after 50 – meet our friends and mentors who have been our guides and inspired us over the years and helped us help thousands of others seek a successful life after 50 and into retirement

Let us share with you our 5 Pillars For Life After 50

1. Financial Security Not Financial Stress
2. Be Healthy Both Physically & Mentally
3. To Travel & Have Life Experiences
4. Look Good & Feel Good About Ourselves And Our Future
5. Help Others Achieve The Same

Now of course not everyone wants to be an entrepreneur so of course we’re only speaking to those of you who have that spark 💥 in you to do something that lights your fire and a joyful next chapter.

If that’s you welcome to the podcast that champions you

Please share this with your friends and fellow entrepreneurs who like many we meet think they are too old or it’s too late…

Because it never is 😀