Fun job ideas to generate extra income for retirees
- Jim Miller: Savvy Senior
- April 22, 2023
- 607
Dear Savvy Senior,
As a 68-year-old retiree, I’m interested in finding a fun part-time job that can occupy some of my time and generate a little extra income. Can you write a column on low-stress, part-time jobs that are popular among retirees?
Part-Time Retiree
Dear Retiree,
Working part-time in retirement can be a terrific way to occupy your time and earn some extra income. The key, however, is finding the right gig that’s fun and satisfying for you. While there are literally hundreds of different part-time job opportunities out there for retirees, here are a few possibilities to explore.
Pet services
If you love animals, consider pet sitting and/or dog walking. Pet sitters, who attend to a pet’s needs when their owner is away, can earn $15-$40 per visit. Dog walkers can make $10-$30 for a 30-minute walk.
To find these jobs, advertise your services in veterinarians’ offices or online at sites like www.Craigslist.org or www.Care.com. Or if you’d rather work for an organization that offers these services, visit www.Rover.com.
Teach or tutor
Depending on your expertise, you could substitute teach or tutor students privately on any number of subjects. Substitute teachers typically make between $75 and $125 per day while tutors can earn from $15-$30 per hour.
To look for substitute teaching positions, contact your local school district to see if they are hiring and what qualifications they require. To advertise tutoring services, use websites like www.Wyzant.com and www.Tutor.com.
Or if you have a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, inquire about adjunct teaching at a nearby college or university.
Drive
If you like to drive, you can get paid to drive others around using Uber or Lyft apps or become a food-delivery driver through Instacart or Uber Eats. Drivers make around $15 per hour.
Babysit
If you like kids, babysitting can be a fun way to put money in your pocket. Hourly rates vary by location and range anywhere from $10-$40 per hour. To find jobs or advertise your services, use sites like www.Care.com and www.Sittercity.com.
Tour guide
If you live near any historical sites or locations, national parks, or museums (anywhere that attracts tourists), inquire about becoming a tour guide. This pays anywhere from $10-$40 per hour.
Write or edit
Many media, corporate and nonprofit websites are looking for freelancers to write, edit or design content for $20-$60 per hour. To find these jobs, try www.FreelanceWriting.com, www.FreelanceWritingGigs.com and www.Freelancer.com.
Consult
If you have a lot of valuable expertise in a particular area, offer your services as a consultant through a firm or on your own through freelancer sites like www.Upwork.com, www.Fiverr.com, www.Freelancer.com or www.Guru.com.
Translator or interpreter
If you’re fluent in more than one language, you can do part-time interpretation over the phone or translate documents or audio files for $20-$40 per hour. Try sites like www.Translate.com, www.ProZ.com or www.Gengo.com to locate translation jobs.
Public events
Sporting events, festivals, concerts and shows need ticket takers, security guards, ushers, concession workers and more. The pay is usually $10-$20 per hour. Contact nearby venues to apply.
Tax preparer
If you have tax-preparation experience or are willing to take a tax-prep course, you can find seasonal work preparing tax returns at big-box tax firms like H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt for around $17 per hour.
Bookkeeper
If you have a finance or accounting background, you can find freelance bookkeeping gigs at sites like www.Upwork.com and www.Fiverr.com or through firms like www.BelaySolutions.com.
Librarian assistant
If you love books, public libraries hire part-time workers to shelve books, send out overdue notices, help patrons and more. Contact your local library to see what’s available.
If you don’t find these options appealing, try www.FlexJobs.com, which lists thousands of flexible work-at-home jobs from more than 5,700 employers. Membership fees start at $10.
Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.SavvySenior.org.