That quote from General (Later President) Dwight D. Eisenhower sums it up perfectly - the moment the battle starts, the best-laid plans go out the window.
The dark tunnel...
(Almost like a Stephen King book title, but not quite!)
At a visit to the folks this weekend, I got an earful about wanting to cash in my pension to fund my Italian dream. We're talking Baby Boomers, here, playing it safe, but they had a point. It's a massive risk and even though I still don't think my money will be safe in South Africa, I'll have to find a different way to fund this project.
Yay! (Insert sarcasm here!)
What that means in plain English is that I either put this dream away indefinitely, or find alternatives, and fast!
But then I decided to verify some numbers...
Although the permesso di soggiorno per lavoro autonomo is subject to an annual quota, the minimum income level required to qualify is about €6 000.00 per year or just under €500 per month. That's totally attainable, even for me! PLUS if I already have property there, it would be easier to be accepted. Now I understand why the author of one of the books that I have read on the matter said that I would need to make an offer on a property within 3 days of my arrival in Italy and that it is, therefore, a good thing to have a decent shortlist of properties from the beginning.
...And then there was light!
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.
I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets: Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it!”
―
Feeling pretty glum, I decided to go surfing. Auntie Google led me to the website of a lawyer/attorney specializing in the field of immigration law. Apparently, according to law, the fact that I am purchasing property in Italy already indicates that I am willing to make a long-term commitment to living there, and almost automatically guarantees the "means" part of the permesso di soggiorno elettiva. While this permesso does not permit me to accept paid employment, it can be converted into a lavorio permit later.
Still, where am I going to get the money from? I would still need to earn more than the minimum wage...
- Even without touching my pension fund, I will be able to have my vacation leave paid out, provided that it amounts to 48 days or less.
- I have already published two books, and have drafted three more. Those drafts need to be polished and published as well. AND I need to step up on marketing my books. Writing a few more short non-fiction books won't hurt, either.
- I could sell my apartment here in Rustenburg, to free the equity that I have invested. I have been able to put down a pretty big deposit, and the bond has been running for a while now.
- I could market myself as a Permaculture consultant, once I have completed the course, but only after I have set up my own system properly. The homestead, and maybe some YouTube videos, might show that I know what I am doing.
- Patreon is an option as well.
- I could find a side hustle to provide an income, preferably something that can be transferred to Europe, such as a marketable craft or product, even if it needs to be shelved for the first few months.
Phew!
Now that the pressure is gone, I can see that Providence indeed has His/Her hand firmly on the rudder. This is an opportunity to be grateful for hands-on Permaculture, and a chance to learn a foreign language by very deep immersion!
Robert Kiyosaki was right. Thinking that I couldn't afford something is defeatist while considering different ways in which I could afford that same thing is empowering. That's a big difference, both in mindset and outcome. Thanks, Robert!
EDIT:
I was wrong - buying a property would make the application process easier, but it has to be a habitable property, and I suspect to a certain value, as well. So buying a €6500 fixer-upper won't pass muster. Back to the drawing board...