If you had to start completely again at 54

[MisguidedOptimist]

what would you do?

As a woman who has been rinsed financially by her stbexh, was a sahm to five kids, no skills and is looking to rebuild from scratch but is ambitious and wants to earn good money, where would you start?

I am lost. I want to train. Build a career. Be self sufficient. I would like to aim high as I may as well. But it’s all new to me!

What direction?

https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/training-choice/skills-bootcamp

I'm late 40's and I have skills I have a 1st class degree in Fine Art and a masters in fine art and do some illustration work and sell some photographic prints, I write and have had some work published and have won some prizes for poetry. My issue is that I am shy and somewhat reclusive and to really make a decent living at those kinds of careers I think you have to be able to hustle and network and really push yourself forwards and I struggle so much with that.
I don't really have any other skills and haven't had a job in over 20 years as I've had a DH that has taken care of me financially and allowed me to focus on my creative work and be at home. Luckily we are still very happy together and I do have savings and investments as well as half the house in my name but god knows what kind of work I'd be able to do if I was ever on my own again.

I'm not sure that came across as helpful as you intended it to! 🙃

Sorry, the post I responded to said 'not willing to do menial jobs' and assumption to expect a higher level. Apologies, it seemed some jobs were regarded as beneath you, which, as someone who has done anything (legal, dirty, not for the squeamish) to earn money, I reacted to. Xx

Could you train in beauty OP? Lots of mobile beauticians who go to people’s houses for waxing, nails, massage, facials, hairdressing etc.

Could be a good money spinner if you get some regular clients. Plus flexible and you’re your own boss. I think the training courses are about £4K at college so not the most expensive. You’d also need some tools to start up and a car.

Putting myself in your shoes, if I was “starting again” I think I’d do this. If you’re a people person and creative could be a good one.

This is a good option. A friend of mine works in HR (also a possibility btw - as you could do CIPD exams whilst on first job in HR) - she has worked 3 days a week since her sone was small, but trained in beauty/aesthetics - botox, fillers,70hyal and polynucleotide skin boosters. Operates out of a lovely home office 2 days a week and the odd evening, and one day a fortnight in a hired room in Harley Street. She actually makes more pa doing that than with her salary.