When you retire and start living on a fixed income, it can be difficult to find ways to squeeze a few extra bucks into your budget. Or can it? Here are 15 tips that can help you earn more cash even once you’re retired.
Ride Sharing
One surefire way to make a few extra bucks is to join a ridesharing app like Uber or Lyft as a driver. Retirees have a lot of free time during peak hours and often can afford a nicer, newer car that fits these apps’ strict standards.
Airbnb
If you’ve got extra rooms in your home since your kids moved out, you can put that space to use and make a few bucks. Rent out the room through an app like Airbnb and make passive income on a part of your house that you’re not even using!
Delivery Driving
Similar to ridesharing apps, there are plenty of apps that allow you to drive and deliver food or packages for customers. Since retirees are free at odd hours like lunch time or around dinner, they can log in and make some decent money on these apps.
Bartending
Retired people are usually wise due to their worldly experience. Put that wisdom to use as a bartender! Bartending isn’t exactly an easy job, but it can be a great way to make some side income!
Dog Sitting
Plenty of people need dog sitters to come watch their pooches while they’re out of town or on vacation. And who is better to come check on dogs and spend time with them during the day than someone who’s already retired?
Babysitting
Similarly, retirees can easily fit the schedule of a babysitter. What’s more, childcare costs are extremely high lately, meaning a competitive babysitting rate can see you finding work in this field very quickly. Many parents trust retirees to babysit due to their wisdom and life experiences taking care of children.
Sweeping Parking Lots
This one isn’t very fun, but it can be reliable cash. Many landlords who own shopping centers need someone to sweep or clean their parking lots. Often, this role has odd hours, like overnight, but it can pay quite well for someone willing to stick with it.
Brand Ambassador
Brand ambassadors are often seen offering free samples in grocery stores or other retailers. This isn’t the most difficult side gig—it usually involves just knowing about the brand you’re representing and being friendly with people. It’s a good way to make a few bucks on the side!
Tutoring or Mentoring
Retirees with specialized knowledge in professional fields make excellent tutors. Their workplace experience is invaluable to young people in college or who are studying to join a specific profession. Taking on an apprentice can help get some extra money in your pocket while also passing your knowledge along to the next generation.
Consulting
In the same vein, some particularly talented retirees can still offer their insight in their field to companies they once worked for—or their competitors. If you have valuable insight to share regarding your former profession, you might be able to work as a consultant, offering ideas and counseling without working full-time.
Selling Secondhand
Do you have older collectibles or electronics you could sell for some extra cash? Secondhand seller sites and apps, like eBay and Facebook Marketplace, are great ways to make a bit of money by offloading some lingering junk you could have just hanging around.
Gardening
If you’ve got a green thumb, you could make a bit of money by offering your services to people in your neighborhood. Some people need help getting their gardens going, while others might just buy your produce outright. Either way, you can monetize this hobby.
Writing
Do you like writing? You could pick up freelance writing and get paid by the article. Alternatively, you could write something you love and look for a publisher to try to get even a small publishing deal to make extra money.
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Crafts
Maybe you’re a crafty type of person who can make wallets, handbags, or whatever else. Take these crafts to local conventions or fairs and see if you can make a few bucks by running a merch booth! People love buying handmade goods, especially at large gatherings.
Read More: 20 Tips for Early Retirement
Surveys
When in doubt, you can always make a few bucks by taking surveys. There are tons of websites and programs that will pay you money to just offer your opinion on various topics. While these won’t pay your bills or anything, it’s some extra income to pad out your retirement earnings.
Read More: The 20 Most Surprisingly Affordable Cities to Retire To
