Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean you couldn’t use a little extra spending money. Or maybe you’re simply bored and looking for a social or creative outlet. No matter what the reason, many side gigs work very well for retirees. Here are 30 creative ways that retirees can make some extra cash.
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 lunchtime 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, and you’ll want to make sure the atmosphere matches your speed, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Participating in Scientific Studies
Universities and labs always need subjects for their studies. If you’re willing to take some time out of your day to participate in a study, you could help to further important research and you could even get a few bucks for your time. That’s a win-win!
Flipping Furniture
Buying old furniture and restoring it before turning around and selling it for a profit might sound like a lot of work. But you’d be surprised at the kind of money people are willing to shell out for restored old furniture, especially if your touch-up work looks nice. This can be a lucrative side gig.
Hosting Tours
You probably know your city pretty well, right? Why not become a local expert and start hosting tours around your town? This is particularly handy for people who live in larger cities with lots of tourists who like to visit. You can make some money while just casually telling people about the place you know so well.
Testing Websites/App
Software developers are always looking for people to test their apps and web pages. You could even earn a bit of money for your trouble. All you have to do is use the page or app in a variety of ways and report back if you run into any bugs. You can even do this kind of work from home.
Cleaning Houses
Do you like cleaning? If you’re good at getting homes spotless, you could get some side income by cleaning houses. Offer your services to people you know or consider branching out with a semi-professional service. People will pay top dollar for a clean house!
Mowing Lawns
Likewise, if you have a riding mower and some spare time, you could pick up a few extra bucks by cutting grass in your neighborhood. Many of your neighbors, especially if they’re older, might not have the time or energy to cut their own grass. You could make their lives easier and also make a bit of money while you’re at it!
Selling Old Clothes
If your closet is full of good-looking but aging clothing, you can make a tidy profit by turning around and selling your old outfits. If you don’t plan to wear these clothes anymore, you’re not losing anything and you’re adding some extra income to your pockets! Not bad!
Photography
Do you own a decent camera? If so, you can get a side hustle as a photographer. People will pay good money for a professional photographer who can shoot their weddings or other special events. You can make a nice, consistent stream of side income by snapping a few photos!
Odd Jobbing
Ask around your friends and family and see if anyone needs some work done. Maybe you could help someone move house or clean up their yard for a few bucks. People don’t tend to like just handing out money for nothing, but if you’re willing to offer some kind of service in exchange, people don’t feel like they’re giving you charity. Instead, it’s compensation for a job well done.
Professional Game Master
Do you run any tabletop RPGs for your friends? You could consider selling your services professionally. Many groups are looking for experienced game masters to offer them compelling, well-made content for their weekly game nights. This combines the best of work and play into one!
Crypto Mining
If you’ve got a good graphics card on your computer, you could look into crypto mining. While mining has a large cost in terms of upfront energy expenditure, you could profit by ending up with Bitcoin or some other digital currency in your online wallet.
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Hosting Events
Do you like dealing with crowds? Are your friends always looking for places to throw parties? Consider hosting events and pocketing the cover charge. Organizing things like event space, drinks, and entertainment can be time-consuming, but once the events get rolling you can end up making a tidy profit on the side.
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Online Store
Consider opening an online store and selling your artistic creations, or just any items you like to flip. Many people make a career of shopping for knick-knacks from garage sales and then marketing them as folk art online. And, yes, people pay top dollar for oddities they can call “one of a kind.”
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