I’m a planner. I make plans, every day.

Most, if not all of those ideas would fulfil me to the core. The trouble is, they don’t seem to happen as often as I would like!

So, what am I to do? I suppose the first thing that I need to do is take a look at my planning successes and failures.  Every day, my head fills up with a hundred and one things that I would like to try to do. Let me give you an example. A few months ago, I decided that I needed to pay a visit to EICMA, the monster annual motorcycle trade show that happens in November.

A few months ago, I decided that I needed to pay a visit to EICMA, the monster annual motorcycle trade show that happens in November. My plan was, to obtain a press pass (which I did), borrow an Indian motorcycle and ride to Milan. I would document the ride by taking a few photos en-route, make notes about the high lights of the journey and then write about it on several blogs when I got back.

Sounds fairly easy right? But, as usual, life got in the way. Our finances are tighter than a Gnat’s arse at the moment, so the financial side of the plan began to fall apart. Then there was the bike. Sure I could probably have “borrowed” a machine from a local dealer, but then the insurance costs became prohibitive. The travel costs, including tunnel, fuel and hotels were north of £500. Add to this the massive time suck that a five-day jaunt to Italy would be and you can begin to see my problem.

So, then I thought that maybe I could fly down. But even doing the trip this way incurs a moderate cost regarding cash and time. Price of the ticket, getting to the airport, getting from the airport to the show, hotels, food etc., once again it’s a hurdle. I should also mention that Rhona would have to either adjust her working hours or take some days off of work to make sure that Karta was looked after.

The most significant single restriction to any of the plans that I try to make is a lack of funds, hands down. If we had a more substantial income, then we would have a surplus of money and time.

My journalistic dreams are just that. I love to write, I love motorcycles and I love to travel. If only I could find a way to make, it pay.

Just the other day I had an idea to take my family on a road trip to the Arctic Circle in search of the northern lights. It would a be a three-day drive just to get there, three eight hour days of driving, tunnel, tolls, fuel and hotels. A week-long trip by car would cost me in the region of £700, and that doesn’t include food and extras. Once more, I looked into the prospect of flying to North Norway, but as soon as you factor in car hire and flights, you would be looking at a similar cost.

Again, spare finances limit this expedition. I suppose I could forward plan. But even that requires a certain amount of extra cash. Now, I know what you’re thinking, why don’t you earn some money to pay for these trips. I’ve written at length about my struggles with finding a decent job that fits my dynamic. The only way I’m going have the flexibility to do what I want/need to do what I want to do, is to work for myself.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, why don’t you earn some money to pay for these trips. I’ve written at length about my struggles with finding a decent job that fits my dynamic. The only way I’m going have the flexibility to do what I want/need to do what I want to do, is to work for myself.

Over the last few days I’ve also be spending some time thinking about how I can change my approach to generating income. There is a fine line between being assertive and being a cock. I need to get out and promote myself a bit more. Building websites and the whole digital marketing thing is enjoyable and allows me to pretty much work from anywhere, all I need is my laptop and an internet connection to be able to do my job.

Writing articles and blog posts is also something that I can do anywhere.  Having that flexibility is fundamental to achieving my plans.

Until I manage to start earning a decent salary from my freelance work, I will have to juggle the family finances and occasionally crowd fund my planned trips.

I’m open to any offers of help and advice, so please feel free to shoot me a message via the contact form.

Until next time, adieu!