Using Shopify to supplement Social Security: An experiment by your peer
No choice but to supplement your income as a Social Security recipient?
I'm on a journey and I'd like you to come along. A quest, really. Twenty-six million Americans share my path and, if you're reading this essay, chances are you're one of us: An adult over 55 years of age, with little or no savings, slowly coming to terms with the fact that Social Security will never be enough to live on, as well as the prospect of having to work until the day you die.
A real world, real life, real time experiment in generating income with Shopify as a Social Security recipient
I refuse to give in or give up on the possibility of retirement. I've chosen, instead, to redefine what retirement will look like for me, throwing myself into identifying the possibilities to live a full life -- and I might fail. I'm not selling anything. This isn't a get-rich quick pitch. On the contrary, this series will attempt to document the steps I've taken -- and will continue to take -- to create a solution that will work for me.
Posting my results regularly here
I refuse to give in or give up on the possibility of retirement. I've chosen, instead, to redefine what retirement will look like for me, throwing myself into identifying the possibilities to live a full life -- and I might fail. I'm not selling anything. This isn't a get-rich quick pitch. On the contrary, this series will attempt to document the steps I've taken -- and will continue to take -- to create a solution that will work for me.
I lived on disability for eight years and I was one of the lucky ones
I refuse to give in or give up on the possibility of retirement. I've chosen, instead, to redefine what retirement will look like for me, throwing myself into identifying the possibilities to live a full life -- and I might fail. I'm not selling anything. This isn't a get-rich quick pitch. On the contrary, this series will attempt to document the steps I've taken -- and will continue to take -- to create a solution that will work for me.
Ambitious. Creative. Commited. I'll explain the ideas I have, the decisions I make and the resources I use, covering everything from product design to offshore production to social marketing to ecommerce platforms.
Sound intimidating? I'll keep it simple. Our goal? Put $2000 a month into your hands by finding one or two products you can market using this ecommerce platform.
Learning profitable new technical skills after age 55
I knew nothing about how ecommerce worked. Literally nothing. But I wanted to learn -- and I had no money for classes. Double whammy. Sound familiar?
Well, I just started crawling around in the dark reading everything I could find; watching videos, taking worhtless free classes, taking great free classes
Teach yourself. Save yourself.
During your journey you will learn about the growing list of topics found below:
- Techical SEO
- On-page SEO
- Structuring your store
- Picking your products and services
- Competitive research
- Pricing
- Shipping
- Tracking
- Dropshipping
- Managing inventory
- Business plan
- Shopify
- Copywriting
- Blogging
- AI
- Photography
- Illustration
- Diagrams
- Hiring contractors
- Finding capital
- Point of sale
- Keyword research
- Google ranking
- PPC
- Organic search
- Social media promotion
- B2B marketing
- Product sourcing
- Setting goals
- Setting up your corporation
- Taxes -- personal and business
- Creating a brand
- Collections
- Product naming
- Local marketing
- Category partnerships
- Setting up forms and capturing contact information
- Good free resources
- Coursera scholarships
- Youtubers
- Bloggers
- Low cost resources after you have cash flow
- Reinvestment
- Pushing yourself -- commiting 90 minutes every day.
- When you are uncomfortable with sales process
- My guidelines for ROI
- Keeping your eye on the prize -- $2000/month
- The rules for earning while on Social Security
5. Bandra Reclamation
Bandra Reclamation, located near the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, is a popular skateboarding spot among locals. The long, straight road offers skateboarders a smooth surface to ride on, with a stunning view of the sea on one side and the Mumbai skyline on the other. Bandra Reclamation is also home to the Mumbai Skatepark, a small but well-designed park that features a variety of obstacles and ramps for skateboarders to challenge themselves.
6. Shivaji Park
Shivaji Park, located in the Dadar area of Mumbai, is a sprawling public park that offers skateboarders a vast expanse of flat ground to practice their tricks. The park is also home to a few small ramps and obstacles, making it a great spot for skateboarders of all levels. Shivaji Park is a popular hangout spot for locals, and skateboarders can often be seen practicing their moves alongside joggers, walkers, and cricket players.
7. Worli Sea Face
Worli Sea Face is a long, winding road that stretches along the Arabian Sea, offering skateboarders a scenic view of the sea and the Mumbai skyline. The road is flat and smooth, making it an ideal location for skateboarders to cruise and practice their basic moves. Worli Sea Face is also home to a few small ramps and obstacles, providing skateboarders with the opportunity to challenge themselves and try new tricks.
Skateboarding is tribal and most locals are welcoming, but if you're new to a spot, or just passing through, have respect for the locals. Listen. Be smart. Have fun.
A human being
Art can change the world – and everybody is an artist. Those who scribble stickmen. Those who paint chapel ceilings. Those who tattoo biceps. Those who are careful with pigment on canvas. Those who create fantasy characters. Those who paint pet portraits. Those who yarn bomb. Those who write poems on crappy old cardboard.
My art lives on the bottom of skateboard decks. It's designed for you to destroy. For you, the rider, my art may come second to the deck’s ability to perform – and that’s awesome. To me, art comes first. Always.
It’s how I think. It’s who I am. It’s what I am.
A machine
This article has been created with the help of artificial intelligence platforms ChatGPT and Bard. If there are inaccuracies or there are opportunities for improvement, please let me know.
BellyRash