Second act ideas
Many retirees need to earn some extra money to make ends meet in retirement. But you don’t have to drudge through life to bring in some extra cash. Consider one of these fun job options for retirees:
Baby-sitting
If you love to spend time with kids, you might as well earn some money at the same time. Baby-sitting is often a flexible part-time job that allows you to work when you want to. To make a steady income you could become a part-time nanny or day care provider for one or more kids. Or offer your services on evenings and weekends, giving parents a chance to get out. You might even be able to work out an arrangement with your children to baby-sit your own grandchildren on a regular basis.
Driver
If you like to drive, ride sharing services such as Uber and Lyft provide flexible hours and a chance to meet people from all over the world. To get started, you’ll need a car and a valid driver’s license. The job will be easier if you know your way around your local area.
Crafting
If you love making quilts, wooden furniture or doll clothes, there’s someone out there who would love to buy your craft. It’s easy to open an Etsy shop on your home computer, but you’ll have to put some effort into marketing to sell a lot of handmade goods. Or you could set up a booth at local craft shows to display and sell the items you make.
Gardening
Put your green thumb to work by selling home-grown vegetables at a roadside stand or local farmers market. If you’re in a small town, you don’t need a huge variety of veggies or cut flowers to sell at a weekly market. Remember to check with your local regulations before you get started.
Tour guide
This is a great gig for outgoing folks who live in an area that attracts tourists. Becoming a tour guide can help you get to know your town even better, including its history. Plus, you’ll get to meet all sorts of interesting people. You can get a job with an existing tour company or start your own tour of your town’s quirkiest areas.
Bartending
Getting a bartending license is fairly simple in most areas, and bartending can be a fun and flexible part-time job. You can work limited hours at a nearby bar or sign on with an event company to work whenever it suits you best.
Movie theater
Working at a movie theater could be a good fit for movie-loving retirees. You can often work limited hours that suit your schedule, and you can typically see current movies for free. If you like to see all the latest blockbusters, working in a movie theater could help you both earn money and reduce your entertainment costs.
Event planner
If you’re a Type A list maker with an eye for detail, wedding or event planning may be the perfect part-time gig for you. This job can sometimes be stressful, but you can set your own hours and help create beautiful events.
Cruise ship work
Working on a cruise ship is typically a full-time job when you’re actually on the ship, but you don’t have to work year-round. Whatever your skill set, there’s a cruise ship job to match it. You could be a housekeeper, server or retail assistant. Or you could put your current hobby skills to use by teaching a class for cruise goers. Cruise ship work is a great way to see the world.
Pet sitting
Animal lovers could find a relaxing part-time job as a pet sitter. Many pet owners are willing to pay to avoid taking their precious pooches to the kennel during a vacation or business trip. Just put the word out, and you could find yourself raking in some side income while snuggling with other people’s pets.
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10 Fun Part-Time Jobs for Retirement originally appeared on usnews.com
