Your Hobby Can Actually Become a Source of Income
Just because you’re retired, it doesn’t mean you can’t be making money. You may not be able to do, say, construction work anymore, but there are so many side hustles just waiting for you to get good at them. We’ve made a list of 35 of the best options. You don’t have to try them all out, just give them some thought!
Dog Walking
If you can do light exercise, dog walking might be the side hustle for you. Apps like Rover make it easy to get started, and then you can spend time around adorable dogs all day! Plus, it’s flexible - you can choose when and how often you want to work.
Pet Sitting
In a similar vein to dog walking is pet sitting. This one is even easier, since you don’t have to do any walking at all, just turn up at the house. Prove that you’re a trustworthy person around pets and many people will be falling over themselves to hire you.
House Sitting
And if a person hasn’t got any pets, you could always house sit for them! As a house sitter, you might water plants, collect mail, or just be a presence in the home to deter burglars. Don’t worry, house sitters very rarely encounter burglars while on the job.
Online Tutoring
If you’ve got a knack for math, writing, history or any other subject widely taught in schools, you can tutor students online from the comfort of your home. It’s not like teaching in a school, the students for the most part actually want to be there!
Selling Crafts
If you’re into knitting, woodworking, or making anything by hand, selling your creations on Etsy or at local craft fairs can net you a pretty penny. People are slowly getting sick of cheap plastic home items, so there’s a big market for homemade stuff.
Freelance Writing or Editing
Got a way with words? Freelance writing is wide open to retirees who enjoy storytelling or sharing their years of knowledge. You can write articles, edit blogs, or even polish resumes – people often need help with that last one especially.
Selling Items Online
Got a house full of stuff you no longer use? You can turn it into quick and easy cash by selling on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. It’s easier than you might think to list items, and you never know, you might actually be sitting on a collector’s item that’s worth thousands.
Local Tour Guide
If you live in a town with history or charm, why not become a local tour guide? You can share stories, point out hidden gems, and meet new people, all while earning money. Tourists love to hear from people who’ve actually lived in the area they’re visiting.
Gardening Help
Many people want a nice garden but don’t know where to start, don’t have the mobility anymore, or don’t have the time to maintain one. If you’ve got a green thumb, you can offer planting, pruning, or weeding services. It’s a great way to get fresh air.
Teaching a Class
Have a skill like painting, sewing, cooking, or woodworking? Offer a workshop at a community center, church, or even online via Zoom. People love learning from someone experienced, and it’s a chance to share your passion.
Babysitting
Parents are always on the lookout for reliable childcare, especially from someone with experience. You don’t have to chase toddlers all day - just offer after-school care and help with homework. In the beginning you’ll probably have to accept work exclusively from those you know already, however.
Rent Out a Room
If you’ve got extra space, consider renting it out on Airbnb or to a long-term tenant. Many seniors make good income from a spare room or even a vacation home. You don’t even have to do anything apart from maintaining the property to a good standard.
Mystery Shopping
This can be a really fun one if you’re already a person who likes to shop or eat out. Companies pay people to shop or dine at specific places and report back on their experience. It’s a really easy side hustle, you just need a good eye for detail and a good memory.
Remote Customer Service
Many companies hire part-time remote workers for customer service roles. If you’re friendly on the phone and don’t mind helping people, this can be a good choice of side hustle. Plus, it’s usually done from your home computer with flexible hours.
Becoming a Notary Public
Getting certified as a notary is fairly inexpensive and can be a great way to earn side income without having to do all that much. People often need documents notarized for legal or real estate purposes, and they’re willing to pay for the convenience.
Voiceover Work
If you’ve got a pleasant speaking voice and a good mic, consider doing voiceovers. Audiobooks, commercials, video games, podcasts and more all need narration. And consider this as well: if the thing you’re working on goes viral, you could make a ton of money!
Proofreading
If you’ve got a sharp eye for grammar and typos, consider freelance proofreading. Many students and even some small businesses need their work polished by a smart person with an eye for detail. It’s something you can do from home, at your own pace, with no physical strain.
Selling Baked Goods
If you enjoy baking, you can easily turn that into a successful side hustle. Simply make cookies or cakes to your heart’s content and then book yourself a table at a farmer’s market or craft fair. Many people prefer home-baked goods to store-bought stuff, so you have a built-in customer base.
Online Surveys
While it won’t make you rich, filling out online surveys can be an easy and maybe even fun way to earn small amounts in your spare time. Sites like Swagbucks or InboxDollars pay users to share opinions on brands and products. You can do it while watching TV, as well!
Renting Out Tools and Equipment
If you’ve got tools collecting dust in the garage, consider renting them out to neighbors or through local apps. Things like pressure washers, lawnmowers, and ladders are in high demand, because not everyone has the space for them at home.
Life Coaching
With decades of life experience, you’ve likely got wisdom others could benefit from. And they’re often willing to pay for that wisdom! You can help people with career choices, relationship advice and so on. Just make it clear from the beginning that you’re not a therapist.
Sewing or Alteration Services
Strange as it may seem to people who grew up in the 60s and 70s, many people can’t sew and are willing to pay for someone to do it for them. If you have a knack for (say) sewing on buttons or fixing zippers, you could be sitting on a small goldmine.
Tech Help for Other Seniors
You don’t have to be a tech whiz, just more comfortable with smartphones, tablets, or computers than some of your peers. And if you’re patient and able to explain things clearly, that’s a big help as well! You’d be surprised how many people need assistance with things you find simple.
Wedding Officiant
If you're charismatic and don’t mind speaking in front of a crowd, becoming a wedding officiant can be surprisingly lucrative. It’s easy to get certified online in most states, and at every wedding you get a great experience to talk about later.
Furniture Flipping
Got an eye for design? Try finding cheap furniture at thrift stores or yard sales, giving it a makeover with some paint or new hardware, and reselling it. It’s creative, satisfying, and can turn a tidy profit if you know what you’re doing.
Greeting Card Design
People need greetings cards all throughout the year, and sometimes they don’t like the options available at local stores. That’s where you come in! If you’re good at art and design, you could easily whip up a bunch of beautiful greetings cards and sell them at craft fairs.
Errand Running
Busy families and older adults often need help with groceries, pharmacy runs, or picking up dry cleaning. If you enjoy getting out and about, you can offer personal shopping or errand services for them. It won’t make you a millionaire, not at all, but you’ll feel good about making someone’s day better.
Genealogy Research
Love digging into family trees? Plenty of people want to know their ancestry but don’t have the time or patience to do the research. If you’ve got an interest in history and know how to navigate ancestry websites, this could be a very fulfilling side gig.
Estate Sale Organizer
If you have organization skills and compassion, you could help families sort, price, and sell items after a loss. Many people don’t know where to start, and will gladly pay someone who does. You can charge by the hour or take a percentage of sales.
Blogging or Vlogging
If you’ve got stories to tell or advice to share, consider starting a blog or YouTube channel. It takes time to grow, but once you build a following, you can earn from ads, sponsorships, or affiliate links. And of course you get the thrill of connecting with people as well.
Music Lessons
If you play an instrument or sing, offer lessons to beginners or kids in your community. Parents are always looking for affordable, local teachers, and you don’t need to be a music expert to teach the basics. You could find yourself making some good new friends doing this.
Holiday Decorating Services
Some folks love the holidays but, believe it or not, hate the hassle of decorating. That’s where you come in! Offer to set up (and take down) holiday lights or those huge indoor displays. You can even help with gift wrapping or tree decorating.
Laundry and Ironing Services
Most people hate ironing and laundry, and will happily pay someone else to do it for them. That’s where you come in. You can do it from home, charge per basket or by the hour, and even offer pickup and delivery in your neighborhood.
Junk Removal
Many people need help clearing out garages, sheds, or moving bulky items. Admittedly this is more physical work than some of the other things on this list, but you can set limits and specialize in small loads. Bonus: sometimes the “junk” you haul away is valuable enough to resell.
Virtual Assistance Work
If you’re organized and comfortable with email and basic online tasks, becoming a virtual assistant can be great if you’re a retiree. Many small business owners need help managing appointments or responding to emails, and maybe you can do that job.
