Retirement is a great time to try new things and hobbies that can help you make money.
In addition to the usual pension activities, we also talk about various additional activities that retirees can start.
The point is that a little extra money or an enjoyable activity can make retirement better. The best part is that many of these hobbies for retirees can grow into something bigger, like a small business, if they really put their mind to it.
If a retiree wants to do something fun or make some extra money without the usual work stuff, they can check out some of the ideas below. Some of these options are even easy to do from home!
Consult
Leverage your expertise and experience by offering consulting services in your former field. This could include providing advice, mentoring or project-based assistance to companies or private individuals.
Sell your private label products on Amazon
Create your branded products and sell them on Amazon using the FBA program. Here is a complete guide to starting an Amazon FBA business.
See: 53-year-old quits her job and now makes $5 million a year selling her invention on Amazon
Run a YouTube channel aimed at retirees
Share your expertise, hobbies or life experiences with other retirees by starting a YouTube channel. You can create content on topics like travel, cooking, DIY projects, or personal finance.
Start a blog
Share your knowledge, interests or passion for a particular topic by starting a blog. You can write about travel, gardening, cooking, personal finance, or anything else that interests you.
Sports coach
If you have experience and expertise in a particular sport, consider becoming a sports coach for local teams or individuals. This may include coaching youth leagues, adult recreational teams or providing private coaching sessions.
Referee
Become a referee for local sports competitions or tournaments. This may include leading games for sports such as football, basketball, baseball or volleyball.
Charging scooters
Sign up to become a scooter charger for companies like Lime or Bird. You pick up scooters that need to be charged, charge them at your home overnight and put them back on the street in the morning.
Overnight babysitter
I heard about this side hustle by accident. My neighbor does it and she makes very good money.
I don’t want to sound elitist, but all those mothers who don’t want to get up at night to feed their babies have something in common. They have money and are not disabled.
Online store manager
Help small businesses or entrepreneurs manage their online stores on Shopify, Etsy, or eBay. This can include tasks such as product listing, order fulfillment, customer service, and marketing.
Extra lesson
If you have expertise in a particular subject or skill, consider offering tutoring. You can learn skills such as music, art or languages.
Pet sitting or dog walking service
Many pet owners need someone to care for their pets while they are away or take their dogs for walks during the day. If you are an animal lover, this can be a fun and rewarding side job.
Freelance writing
If you enjoy writing, consider freelance writing as a side hustle. You can write articles, blog posts or content for websites on topics that interest you.
Handyman Services
If you are good with your hands and have experience with home repairs, consider offering handyman services to neighbors or local businesses.
These can include tasks such as minor plumbing repairs, painting or landscaping. Use sites like Task Rabbit or Thumbtack to find jobs.
Senior company
Many seniors appreciate having someone they can talk to, run errands with, or accompany them to appointments. You can offer companionship services to other seniors in your community.
Art and Craft
You can turn your hobby into a side hustle by selling your handmade goods. These can be objects such as jewelry, knitted scarves, pottery or paintings.
The best place to sell these items is Etsy, but you can also use the Facebook marketplace.
Photography
If you have photography skills, consider offering your services for events such as weddings, family portraits or corporate photos. You can also sell your photos online through stock photo websites such as Shutterstock.
Photography editing services
Offer photo editing services to photographers who may need help enhancing and retouching their images.
Fitness instructor
Become a fitness instructor. This may involve teaching classes such as yoga, tai chi or water aerobics at local gyms or community centres.
Guide
If you are knowledgeable about your area or have a special interest, become a guide. You can lead walking tours, historical tours, or special tours focused on food, art, or nature.
House sitting
You can offer house sitting services for people who are going on vacation or traveling for work. This may include tasks such as collecting mail, watering plants, and keeping the home safe while the owners are away.
Turn around
Start a small resale business by purchasing items from thrift stores, garage sales, or online marketplaces and reselling them for a profit. You can flip pallets, clothing and vintage items and sell antiques or collectibles. If you need ideas, here are the best items to check out on the Facebook Marketplace.
catering industry
If you love cooking, start a small catering business. You can specialize in providing catering services for events such as parties, weddings or business meetings.
Organize at home
Help people declutter and organize their homes by offering professional organization services. This includes cleaning out cupboards, organizing paperwork or optimizing storage spaces.
Language guidance
If you are fluent in a second language, offer language tutoring to individuals or small groups. This can be especially attractive for students or professionals who want to improve their language skills for travel or work.
Garden service
If you have a green thumb, offer gardening services to homeowners or businesses. These may include tasks such as planting flowers, maintaining lawns or designing landscaping.
Event planning
This may involve planning and coordinating events such as birthday parties, anniversaries or corporate retreats.
Technical Support
Provide technical support services, such as computer setup assistance and software troubleshooting, to individuals or small businesses.
Craft workshops
Organize craft workshops or classes. You can teach knitting, sewing, quilting or woodworking.
Personal shopping
Become a personal shopper and offer your service to busy individuals or those who need help shopping for specific items such as clothing, groceries or gifts.
Elderly care
Provide care services to other seniors who may need assistance with daily activities, such as meal preparation, medication reminders, or companionship.
Music lessons
If you are musically inclined, offer music lessons in instruments such as piano, guitar or violin to beginners or intermediate students.
Travel planning
Use your travel experience and organizational skills to help others plan their vacation. Offer trip planning services including creating itineraries, booking accommodations and arranging activities.
Baking and catering
If you love baking, consider starting a small baking business from home. You can sell baked goods, such as cakes, cookies or pies, at local markets, events or through the Facebook marketplace. Do you need ideas? Check out these simple foods you can make and sell.
Language translation
If you know another language, you can start translating.
Home staging
Help homeowners prepare their properties for sale by offering home staging services. This includes rearranging furniture, decluttering, and adding decorative touches to increase the home’s appeal to potential buyers.
Create an online course
Share your expertise on a particular topic by creating and selling online courses. You can sell your courses on Udemy or Skillshare. To help you, we’ve put together a guide on how to make money with Skillshare.
Real estate assistant
Assist real estate agents with tasks such as scheduling appointments, preparing marketing materials, or conducting property research.
Life guidance
This can be a location independent business idea. Use your life experience and wisdom to offer life coaching services, helping clients set goals, overcome challenges and achieve personal growth.
Virtual event hosting
Host virtual events such as webinars, workshops or online classes on topics you know or are passionate about.
Personal concierge
Provide personal concierge services to busy individuals or families, completing tasks such as running errands, running errands or arranging appointments.
Genealogical research
If you are interested in genealogy and family history, offer genealogy research services to help others trace their family tree and trace their ancestors.
CV writing and career coaching
Help job seekers with resume writing, interview preparation and career coaching to help them find their dream job or transition to a new career.
Meal preparation services
Prepare and deliver healthy meals to busy individuals or families who don’t have time to cook for themselves.
Home Inspection Services
Offer home inspection services to home buyers or sellers, providing thorough inspections and detailed property condition reports.
Virtual assistant for seniors
Help seniors with tasks such as managing email, paying bills online or scheduling appointments in the digital world.
Personal styling
Help individuals renew their wardrobe and enhance their style by offering personal styling services including wardrobe evaluation and shopping assistance.
Rent out a room
If you have a spare room in your home, consider renting it out to travelers through Airbnb or VRBO to earn extra income.
Gourmet meal delivery
Prepare and deliver gourmet meals or specialty foods (e.g., homemade jams, pastries) to local customers who appreciate high-quality artisanal products.
Language Interpretation Services
Another option for people who speak multiple languages. Use your language skills to provide interpretation services to individuals or companies needing translation during meetings, conferences or events.
Gardening advice
Help homeowners design and maintain beautiful gardens by offering gardening consulting services including plant selection, layout planning and maintenance tips.
Elderly transport service
There are many lanes for seniors. This is a transportation service for elderly people who may need help reaching appointments, running errands or visiting friends and family.
Digital marketing advice
Share your digital marketing expertise by offering consulting services to small businesses looking to improve their online presence and marketing strategies.
Camper rental management
If you own an RV, consider renting it to travelers through peer-to-peer rental platforms like Outdoorsy or RVshare.