5 Odd Jobs To Earn Extra Cash In Retirement
Written by Jessica Hegg
Living on a fixed income isn’t easy. If you’ve followed a good retirement plan, have a pension, and are taking care of your personal finances, you’ll certainly be able to live in comfort – but unexpected expenses can be hard to deal with, whether medical and health-related, or even as simple as wishing to give grandkids birthday and graduation presents.
The fact that your income is fixed makes it hard to prepare for these expenses, but don’t worry! If you’re retired and looking for extra income, there are plenty of ways you can earn some extra cash – without having to resort to a part-time job as a Walmart greeter. Read on, and find out how you can supplement your fixed income with 5 easy odd jobs.
1. Clean House – and Sell Your Stuff
If you’re retired, chances are you’ve been living in the same home for a while, and have had quite the opportunity to build up a large collection of furniture, vintage clothing, books, and other knick-knacks and items that are sitting around your house unused – or even stuck in a storage locker somewhere.
Vintage items can sell for big money, and cleaning up your house and selling some of your old stuff is a fantastic way to get some extra cash, as well as declutter your home and allow you to relax, knowing that you don’t have a ton of useless stuff hanging around collecting dust.
It’s easier than ever to sell old furniture, clothing, and other items – apps like LetGo are very popular, as is the Facebook Marketplace, local classifieds site Craigslist, and online marketplaces like eBay and Etsy.
If you’re not sure where to start, ask a younger relative to help you figure out these apps or help you sell your stuff, and cut them in on a share of the profit.
2. Nannying
You’re well past the time in your life when you had small children – but that doesn’t mean you can’t care for them for some extra cash. There are plenty of opportunities for retired adults to pick up nannying gigs for some extra cash. This is especially true if you live nearby your own children – working families need nannies often, and getting paid to spend time with your own grandkids is the dictionary definition of a win-win.
3. Pick Up a Hobby – And Sell Your Work
If you’re an older, retired adult, you’ve got plenty of time on your hands. And you deserve the chance to relax – you’ve worked your whole life to get here. But you have to have something to fill up the hours, and finding a new hobby is a great way to do so – and make a profit.
If you’ve knitted in the past, you’ve already got the perfect hobby for picking up some extra cash. Handmade sweaters, wool socks, and other artisanally-crafted items are highly sought after in online marketplaces, and you can easily make some extra cash while having a fun time honing your skills.
Other options include leather working, woodworking, car repairs – the options are limitless. You can choose you’re passionate about or enjoyed doing as a younger person, and enjoy the satisfaction of a hobby while making some money to boot.
4. Become a Landlord – Rent Out Rooms In Your Home
If you haven’t’ downsized from the home that you raised your family in, you’ve probably got some extra space that’s not doing much for you – childhood bedrooms, playrooms now filled with old stuff, whatever it may be.
Put these rooms to work. Offering a well-appointed, inexpensive room for rent is a great way to supplement your income, and you’ll have total control over who you rent to. Making money is as easy as, well, not doing anything!
Just make sure you consult with a lawyer or other legal expert before drawing up contracts and paperwork – you don’t want to end up with a poor tenant, and you want to make sure all legal aspects of your arrangement are rock-solid.
5. Start a Small Home Kitchen Business
Farmer’s markets are exploding in popularity and given their local, small-batch offerings, it doesn’t require much legal work to become a certified home kitchen, and create goods to sell at farmer’s markets throughout the year
You can sell just about anything – baked goods, home-roasted coffee, popcorn, snack foods, or even candles and other hard goods. If you have a hobby that you can turn into a small business, see your local municipality about their farmer’s market offerings – and suggest that they start one if they haven’t already.
…and That’s Not All!
Retirement is just another stage of life, and it doesn’t have to be boring. There are endless fun activities that older adults can do, and quite a few, such as those outlined above, can provide you with some great extra cash.
So get out there, have some fun, and make some money. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to have a great time and enjoy the additional income that it brings you.