If you need extra money in retirement, you’re at the right place, because we’re about to talk about senior side gigs!
You’ve said goodbye to the workforce, to the boss who probably annoyed you quite a few times, and now you’re enjoying retirement to the fullest. You feel like you’ve earned this free time, so you can take a step back and have fun.
However, bills, housing, and other financial obligations keep piling up. You probably feel like these things don’t punch a time clock. Your retirement income doesn’t grow, but your bills do. Even though you don’t want to return to a boring 9-to-5, you probably need more money to have the life you’ve always wanted.
But here’s the thing: senior side gigs are a fantastic way to supplement your income without returning to an office full-time. This will give you a sense of purpose while offering some financial perks. Besides that, retirees typically have a lot of useful skills, and your golden years are the perfect time to monetize them.
So, without further ado, here are the best senior side gigs to try:
1. Drive for Uber or Lyft
If you love to drive and have a good car, you can easily turn your passion into a senior side gig. Driving for Uber or Lyft, which are two of the biggest rideshare apps in America, is a great way to earn extra money on a flexible schedule.
You will earn based on the number of rides you take, and you will receive your money by direct deposit once a week (or more frequently if you’d like). Who doesn’t want the freedom to choose when and how often to work? Do you hate driving at night or early in the morning? Then stick to a schedule you want!
Moreover, you could use Uber Eats or DoorDash to deliver meals to clients rather than having to drive them around. These are fantastic senior side gigs for people who love driving, so if this is your case, try them!
If you’d rather be your own boss, consider becoming an independent driver. You can build your client base by handing out your business card at airports, hotels, and popular local spots. This approach could allow you to work fewer hours while earning more than you would with Uber or Lyft, as rideshare companies usually take a 20 to 25% cut of your earnings.
…We’ve got plenty of senior side gigs to explore, so stick around!
2. Rent out your extra space
If you’re an empty nester or haven’t yet decided to downsize, you likely have extra space at home. But why not make the most of your additional space and turn it into a senior side gig you don’t need any qualifications for? Check out websites like Airbnb, so you can rent out the room for a short while and get passive revenue.
If entertaining a weekend visitor doesn’t sit well with you, you might earn even more money by renting out your whole house while you’re away. To make the most of your rental income, don’t forget to read up on the suggestions and guidance from previous hosts. You can look up different videos and tips on Google or YouTube, as many creators have videos where they explain how to enhance your listing, take better pictures, and increase the number of bookings.
But before you get this senior side gig started, don’t forget that there are several state and local restrictions on Airbnb, so get familiar with the laws in your area first. Another option is to go for a traditional long-term rental, which offers more predictability. However, keep in mind that you’ll need to commit to a set rental rate for an extended period.
3. Become a substitute tutor or teacher
Are you passionate about learning and education? Do you enjoy sharing your knowledge with the youngsters? Then this might be the perfect senior side gig for you. Many American schools need substitute teachers, and this part-time job comes with a flexible work schedule and few prerequisites.
You don’t need many qualifications for this. According to experts, a bachelor’s degree is all you need to get started. You’ll earn around $20 per hour, or approximately $42,000 a year, which is pretty great for a side gig.
If you want to boost your earnings even more and already have an advanced degree, you can try working part-time as an adjunct instructor at a community college. In case teaching too many students at once makes you anxious, you can try one-on-one tutoring. Several tutoring companies can match you with work, such as Skooli and Tutor.com. With these platforms, you can quickly connect with new clients without the hassle of spending time and effort on marketing yourself.
…Would you try any of these senior side gigs? Let us know in the comments below!
4. Provide child care
If you like spending time with children and enjoy taking care of them, you can help busy families by babysitting their little ones. Sittercity and Care.com are some of the most well-known websites where childcare providers can publish profiles with their qualifications and expertise to locate babysitting gigs and nanny jobs.
Another website, Rent A Grandma, links families with senior ladies who offer domestic services like pet sitting, home cooking, teaching, and kid care, so if you’re looking for an easy senior side gig, check them out.
5. Sell items
Another senior side gig that will help you earn more money fast is selling. Someone’s junk is another one’s treasure, especially when it comes to online shopping. Platforms such as eBay, OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Etsy are goldmines if you’re looking to get cash fast and get rid of unwanted things at the same time.
Whether it’s accessories, clothing, furniture, classic cookery, old paintings, or jewelry, you can sell a ton of items for more money than you think. To make the most of this senior side gig, there are a few tips to help you:
- take good pics from different angles – create a “staging area” in your home, so you can take the best photos. What’s important here is to photograph your things in natural light and from multiple angles, so the potential clients can see them better;
- write good descriptions – to attract clients, you need to write useful descriptions that contain keywords people are typically looking for. Try to be as descriptive as possible and write your message in a way that responds to the majority of questions buyers are more likely to ask;
- price competitively – you’re probably not the only seller who wants to earn more and get rid of unwanted things, but if you want to make customers come to you, you need to set competitive prices. Start by browsing the Internet for similar items to get a sense of the going price for your thing. Make sure you carefully examine the product’s condition. If yours is newer or prettier than other items on the internet, you might be able to charge more. If you notice an offer that’s been available for quite a while now, you could make a quicker sale by somewhat undercutting;
- be adaptable – if you can transport the item to someone’s house, some people might agree to pay you a bit more. In my opinion, it pays to be accommodating when it comes to meetup places and availability. And last but not least, be open to negotiating the price.
Do you know any other senior side gigs that could help you have more money? Let’s chat in the comments! If you need any more tips, check out this useful book. If you enjoyed reading this article and would love to discover even more tips from Retirement in USA, here’s a good post for you: Looking to Retire Near the Mountains? You’ll Love These 7 Charming Places
