Are you looking for ideas to make extra CASH? Here are 7 easy ideas for seniors
Making an extra income does not have to end with retirement! Since you spent decades of your life working hard, I am sure there are still plenty of resources you would dedicate to earning on.
Whether you need to make some extra cash or want to experiment with a business venture you always dreamed of, we compiled an insightful list of ideas. You are more than welcome to adjust them to your needs and wants, or go ahead and try multiple of them if you’re not sure of your strengths.
Worried about age stereotypes in the workplace? You should cherish your wisdom, experience, and extended networks – and your employer must as well.
Here are top 7 easy and smart ideas for seniors to supplement their income.
1. Temp work
If you miss your workplace or would want to try a different industry workplace, testing the waters is the way to go. You can sign up with a local temp agency for short-term projects, seasonal work, or filling in for employees on vacation or maternity leave.
Doing temp work is ideal for someone with transferable skills or wanting to keep learning. Common temp responsibilities include word processing, answering the phone, data entry, information organization, filing, copying, booking travel, writing an expense report, and other general administrative work.
This work will surely make you some cash, with the average national yearly salary of $30,000+.
Tip: If you are a senior, you can check out workforce50.com, Seniors4Hire, Retired Brains, YourEncore (for senior scientists, engineers, and product developers), and RetireeWorkforce.
2. Tour Guide
This cash idea speaks to me a lot. After all, we seniors love to pass on life lessons and teach others. It is one of the greatest satisfactions of living your golden years.
If you’re like me, becoming a part-time tour guide is definitely a good fit for you. Retirees interested in the arts, food, celebrities, history, or familiar with the city’s architecture and history could support public institutions in delivering insightful tours.
You can look for part-time tour guide jobs at museums and monuments. Check private companies hiring tour guides as well. Alternatively, if this cash idea excites you but you also have an entrepreneurial side, why not go offer independent tour guides of your city’s surroundings?
The average hourly rate for a tour guide is $12.5, with additional tips based on your customer service.
3. Teacher/Instructor
Very similarly, this idea will appeal to those that would like to share their precious experience and wisdom.
Beyond just liberal arts and sciences, educational offers are broad nowadays. So, if you have a different set of skills that are currently considered “old school”, such as home improvement, dyeing, carpentry, and quilting, becoming a teacher or instructor for some extra cash might be productive. Skills that were once considered common for our generation are now in high demand.
Check out your local community colleges, extension schools, or schools for continuing education. If they require qualifications you don’t have, you can opt for community organizations and the private sector.
Even more, if you’re tech-savvy, you can easily start teaching and earning online. Maybe you can post a class on topics you are specialized in: marketing, personal finance, or risk management? All you have to do is prepare your class content via slide presentations and earn a percentage of the sales.
Tip: If your class idea is in high demand, check out online teaching platforms such as Zeqr, Skillshare, and Uscreen right now.
4. Babysitter/Caretaker
Working parents will always need a hand with childcare from time to time. If you’d rather earn simple cash in a stress-free setting, taking care of the little ones can be rewarding and rejuvenating.
The duties range from picking up a child from lessons or school to assisting with homework, cooking dinner, and bathing. Determine which responsibilities you are willing to accept. Some caretakers also handle children’s homework for extra cash.
Talk to families in your area or post on social media. More often than not, you will find temporary babysitting or caretaking opportunities. Discuss a pay rate that works for you and emphasize to parents that an inexperienced 15-year-old babysitter would not provide what you do.
5. Pet sitting
Retirees can make some extra cash by pet sitting as well. If you love dogs and cats, this will not even feel like a job to you!
Expect pet responsibilities like going for walks, grooming and bathing, taking the pet to appointments, feeding and cleaning after pets, administering medicine, and more. I would highly suggest you check your fitness levels before you might end up facing a large breed dog that needs lifting.
Reach out to your local community or post on social media. Highlight that you have a good track record and experience taking care of your own or friends’ pets.
Tip: A family that often travels may need periodical pet sitting.
A senior pet may need enhanced pet sitting and care.
6. Online mock juror
As a working lady, I wasn’t all that interested in being a juror when called for. With age, I’ve slowly started appreciating the American system. So, while jury duty is a fact of life for all Americans, did you know you could earn cash out of it?
Online mock jurors are commonly contracted to assist lawyers in their preparation for real-life trials and cases. You may be required to listen to audio, watch video presentations, read material, and respond to questions.
EJury, JuryTalk, OnlineVerdict, and Resolution Research are some examples where you can sign up to become a mock juror. You can earn between $10 and $150 for your time (it varies from case to case).
Tip: Careful! Any mock juror platform that asks for a small join fee is most likely a scam.
7. Independent consultant
Would you agree that seniors looking for light work need a wellness check? Work this, work that – it burns calories. I’m happy to share this multivitamin bite package so you can Eat Your Calm, Eat Your Sleep, and Eat Your Nutrients. It helps with my gut, skin, brain, bone, sleep, and immunity health.
Do you have a valuable wealth of contacts and expertise in your field? Take advantage of it and become an independent consultant for extra cash. This can be through temp work, part-time, or contracted services.
The most common areas for consultancy include business development, marketing strategy, market research, talent sourcing, and project management.
Find work and start earning on platforms like Catalant, EXPERT360, Talmix, SpareHire, Flexy, Clarity, and MindBench.
Tip: To get started and attract customers or partners, reach out to your professional network and ask if they need consultancy on any relevant projects.
Do you have any other unconventional ideas to make extra cash as a retired senior? Let us know down below in the comments and let’s chat!
If you found this useful, continue reading 10 Huge Mistakes That Will Drain Your Savings.
