Norman2 - I'm in exactly the same position - age 43, IT job (pays well, boring), PPL(A) holder - would love to change career to flying anything for a job.
In my mind I just need to ensure that I could have enough cash to support my family and aim to use my IT salary to buy a couple of houses to let out.
That should at least secure a future income.
I intend to work towards getting an FI(R) possibly still as a PPL - so I won't get paid but would be great for hours. Then do CPL(A) when I can and hope for paid work.
I don't think I would get a airline job owing to my age by the time I'd completed the necessary ratings but at least I would have tried. Which is better than looking back in 10 years time and thinking that I should have - even if I'm worse off financially.