It can often feel like retirement means the end: the end of life, the end of fun, and the end of making money. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Retirement can actually be just the start we need. It’s a chance to start fresh, free of other pressures, and to just do what we really want, and this can include making money in creative ways.
If you have a passion for making money or just want to find new ways to enjoy life (with the added bonus of giving you financial freedom) these are just some of the great ways to make money in retirement:
1. Rent out your space
There’s a lot of money to be made from renting whether it’s per day, per month or even longer. If you’ve got an especially large space (or multiple!) it can be a really great way to make a bit of money and even meet a friendly face or two in the process.
Don’t forget that your space doesn’t just have to be your home, though. Car spaces, garages and even storage spaces are now being rented for use. It can be a pretty good way to make money, depending on your location. Sites such as Park Hound and Spacer can help you with this niche.
2. Sell handmade products online
Whether you’re a knitter, a crocheter, a cross-stitcher, or even a photographer, it’s so easy to sell handmade goods online and make a profit nowadays. Places like Etsy and even eBay have made handmade, unique goods easier than ever to sell. If you’ve got anything that you make? It’s not a bad idea to consider sharing that magic with the world and using it to make money in retirement… (Who knows, you may even turn into one of those creative social media celebrities!)
3. Become a babysitter/caretaker
If you’ve already raised children once before (and potentially even have grandchildren you’ve also cared for) then becoming a babysitter or nanny really is the perfect way to give back to the world… while receiving a little financial freedom on the side!
But you don’t just have to consider babysitting. You could pet sit at places like Pawshake, MadPaws or Pet Paradise and care for animals instead. If you’ve got a passion for pets it’s a really great way to meet some furry friends!
4. Become a tour guide
Whether you have experience or not, becoming a tour guide can be an ideal fit for anyone that’s a bit of an art, history, city, museum or celebrity buff. You’ll be able to share your knowledge and interact with individuals interested in your niche. It’s a nice way to make friends or just enjoy the local community.
5. Market researcher and tester
Want easy ways to make money in front of your computer in retirement? There are so many focus groups and surveys online today that’ll pay you decent money, just for your opinion.
You could become a mystery shopper where you get paid to visit stores and report back your experience, become a website tester where you give feedback on websites, fill out online surveys or just join a research/focus group.
It’s a really creative way to have your say, while also making some cash in the process!
6. Copywriter/editor/transcriptionist
It doesn’t matter whether you’re an avid writer, English major or just someone who’s looking for a way to make money from your home computer, there are so many online copywriting, editing and even transcription jobs available today.
Copywriting can be a great way to flex your flair for English, but editing and transcribing are easy professions for anyone with a clear understanding of their language.
7. Become an extra on a movie/TV show
Okay, this one is probably our favourite.
This final way to make money is living proof that retirement doesn’t have to be the end of life, fun, or making money while doing so.
Becoming a movie or television extra is a great way to make a little money. You may not want to do it everyday, but there’s nothing more exciting than dressing up, celebrity-watching, and feeling a bit like a movie star as a means of making money.
Now that you’ve got the time, you’re free to follow your dreams and this job can be a nice one if you’re into that kind of thing.
Though it doesn’t pay very much, and you may have to work long hours, it can be a good way to make a bit of cash AND leave behind a pretty cool legacy!
Retirement definitely doesn’t mean the end of life or the end of opportunity. There are so many creative ways to make money in retirement, these are just some of the endless possibilities! So, if you’re ready to keep following your dreams and make a little money in the process, don’t hesitate to take a chance on yourself and go explore the world that’s now at your fingertips!
