Officially, I am retired. Unofficially, I spend no less than 10 hours per day as a blogger and a freelance writer.
I need to. Besides loving writing, I need to find something to keep away boredom and loneliness.
My switch from engineering to writing was, at first, due to my distaste for going back to the stifling life of the corporate world. After a while, I got the hang of it. Then I decided to make it my second career. Now I am earning a little from freelance writing. Not much, but it helps keep my nose above water.
A few retirees, those who set aside hefty funds early on, find retirement the highest point of their lives. They have achieved self-actualization. They spend their time in golf courses, traveling, socializing, or anything that gives them fun and joy.
Not may seniors have the privilege, though. Retirement is a big letdown for a huge number of retirees. It is still a daily grind of stretching their retirement funds to the max. A few even end up in soup lines or sleep in shelters for the homeless.
Between the two extremes are those who continue working to augment their retirement income.
In 2002, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 5% of people between ages 65 and 74 were actively working, and this figure is expected to increase to 11% by 2022.
If you are having budget problems and want to earn extra income that will allow you to enjoy retirement, here are ten jobs you can try. They offer flexible work schedules to fit your convenience.
1. Freelance Consulting:
Freelance consulting has become a hot job these days because companies are more inclined to hire consultants for cost reasons.
So if you need to make use of all the knowledge and skills you have accumulated over the years, be a freelance consultant. The market is in need of consultants of just about everything.
Of course, it doesn’t come easy. You have to search these companies out and pitch them the idea of hiring you.
2. Driver:
If you can still drive and know your way around town, being a driver is a fun job you can get into. It can be a personal driver, limo, delivery, school bus, etc.
Or you can have your car rented out to service providers like Uber, Lyft, or Amazon, etc.
3. Events Staff:
If you know of an event organizer, i.e. weddings, parties, concerts, conferences, etc., pitch in the idea of taking you as one of the hired hands on such occasions.
The pay may not be much but you get some perks like free food or and learn a few tricks of the trade. Once skillful enough, you can go solo.
4. Hotel Staff:
If there are hotels near you, try applying as a part-time valet or concierge.
Because of competition, hotels have high turnovers, and you may just be the perfect guy at the right time. And the pay is not bad, either.
5. House caretaker/sitter:
Couples or families who travel a lot hire house caretakers/sitters to take care of their home while they are away.
If you are the type of person who loves to do this, search for such opportunities.
They offer different conditions like a stay-in arrangement or just periodic visits. But you have to exercise diligence in doing the task because an expensive property is entrusted to your care. You must make sure that nothing is amiss when the owners get home.
6. Pet sitter:
If you love pets, this is a perfect way of making an extra income and, at the same time, enjoy it. Pets are known to be great in getting rid of stress.
There are friends, families, neighbors who may want help in taking care or managing their pets while they are away on vacation.
Or you can work for a pet care company or start your own. This is the kind of business with minimal capital outlay. And you get to earn from something you love doing for free.
Like house-sitting, pet-sitting requires due diligence. Pet care is almost like caring for humans these days, and very expensive, too.
7. Retail Stores:
Retail stores always look for extra hands during holidays or peak seasons.
Check out retails stores in your town, i.e., 7-Eleven, Walmart, Costco, The Home Depot for seasonal vacancies that you can do part-time. Even FedEx or UPS hire part-timers for deliveries during holiday seasons.
Fast-food chains, like McDonald’s, is into hiring retirees. They find elderly people more consistent and reliable in serving customers.
8. Substitute Teacher or Aide:
Check your school district to see if they are in need of substitute teachers or aids. These positions don’t need lofty degrees or education to get hired.
Other than teaching, school boards often have positions in the food and cafeteria services, grounds keeping, bus driving, and other administrative positions that fit your skills and qualifications.
9. Tax Preparer:
If you have a strong accounting background, this may fit.
Some people are too busy or they don’t want to wade through the figures in preparing their income tax returns so they outsource these jobs to people like you.
Though this is often done by experienced bookkeepers, some people want to have cheaper options. And this is where you can satisfy that need – if you are good at numbers.
Even accounting firms hire tax preparers during peak months.
10. Resort Staff:
Had I not been a writer, I would have loved to work in a resort.
Resorts, i.e., beach, mountain, ski, etc., because of their seasonal in nature, hire plenty of part-timers.
They are exciting places to do part-time. The pay is not so bad and the variety of people you see on a given day can be educational and entertaining. Besides, you get the full benefit of enjoying the ambiance of the place.
Please share with other seniors so they will know that retirement is not of a productive life.
Image: //cnn.it/2Dt3oeq
~oOo~
