9 Fun Part-Time Jobs for Retirees that Anyone Can Do
9 Fun Part-Time Jobs for Retirees that Anyone Can Do
By Margaret Manning January 18, 2022 Managing Money
Editor’s Note: Before considering job opportunities that may put you at risk, check the current Covid-19 conditions in your state/country.
Have you ever noticed that finding fun jobs for retirees isn’t as easy as it should be? After all, we have decades of experience and a strong work ethic. Unfortunately, this isn’t always enough.
So, to help the women in our community who are looking for some extra work, I’ve compiled a list of 9 part-time jobs for seniors. I hope they help you to meet your financial goals!
Jobs for Retirees Don’t Have to Be Boring!
Women over 60 are no strangers to hard work. Most of us have worked all our lives, whether it’s at a full-time job or caring for children or aging parents.
But as we approach retirement age, many older women are starting to think about the best part-time jobs for retirees – not only to make some extra money, but to find a sense of fulfillment and fun.
Some women are in a position where they don’t “have” to work for money. For them, finding a job in retirement may be more about staying involved and keeping their minds active and healthy.
For other women, finding work in retirement is more of a necessity. In either case, at our age, we are looking to do something that we genuinely enjoy.
If you aren’t sure what types of part time jobs would be most interesting to you, think back to what you loved to do as a child, or try to remember one of your favorite jobs from when you were younger.
Here are a few great jobs for retirees or seniors to spark your imagination:
#1 Craftpreneur
#2 Blogger
#3 Gardener
#4 Seasonal Worker
#5 Shop Assistant
#6 Freelance Writer or Editor
#7 Non-Profit Worker
#8 Massage Therapist
#9 Makeup Artist
Craftepreneur – Make Money from What You Love to Create
There’s a big market for handmade items such as soap, knitted stuffs, macramé, candles, and other personal crafts and artisan goods. If you have a hobby for making things with your hands, turn it into a small business on the side! People enjoy purchasing and gifting unique items that are handmade.
You can easily set up a virtual shop on Etsy and sell your items online. The website is user-friendly, and they take you step by step to set up your store. This type of business opens the door to worldwide potential customers. The website takes a small fee for their service and assures payments are safe and secure.
You can set up your own personal website through services like Shopify if you have some website building skills (or you can pay someone to do it for you).
Also, you can check with your community for seasonal craft fairs and set up a small table with your crafts for sale.
Blogger – Share Your Knowledge with the World and Gain
The Sixty and Me community started as my own personal “part-time retirement job” – but it’s grown into so much more. You can do this too – start your own website dedicated to sharing information and building a community related to something you care about and are an “expert” in.
Over time, as you build the audience for your site, you can earn money from advertising, selling merchandise, and selling products and services of affiliate businesses that you believe in.
For example, have you become an avid photographer over the years? Have you learned skills that you can now share with others who are interested in photography? You can build a website (or hire someone to build it and upkeep it) and share your photos and also write useful articles about photography techniques and gear.
In your articles, you can promote cameras and photography accessories that can generate revenue for you when readers click on the links.
The great thing about running your own website is that the whole world can be your audience.
Unsure where to start? Udemy have a number of wonderful courses that can teach you the basics of blogging.
Don’t think that it’s possible to start a content-based business after 60? This video has my own story.
Gardener – Turn Your Green Finger into Green Money
If you love to garden, there are many ways that you can turn the green things you grow into “green” money in your pocket. You could grow herbs and sell lavender pillows. Or perhaps you should consider drying the herbs and selling them in packets.
You could also have a garden sale where you offer your locally grown plants and vegetables to other people in your town. As an added bonus, you may finally get to meet your neighbors from across the street.
If you have a big garden and are willing to do some marketing, you might even consider renting space at your local farmer’s market. People love to buy locally-grown fresh produce, and your garden could help meet this demand.
Do you like to grow beautiful flowers? Be it roses or wildflowers, you can create unique and personalized bouquets to sell.
Seasonal Worker – Make Every Time of Year the Best Time of Year
Have you ever wanted to live in a resort destination or beautiful wilderness area? What if you could get a part-time job that paid you to live and work in a dream location?
One of the advantages of being women over 60 is that we often have more freedom to relocate or live in multiple places throughout the year.
So, if you’re willing to pack up and move for a seasonal job, check out the website CoolWorks.com. They provide information on various seasonal jobs at places like summer camps, dude ranches, and vacation resorts.
Flexjobs have nearly 30k different listings for flexible work across 50 categories.
Over 55? Check out the Experienced Services Program and apply to work on specific project assignments in the National Parks. This is a fun program that provides you with an opportunity to use your valuable skills to support the National Park Service.
Jobs at national parks and other great destinations are wonderful ways you can make money while living in a beautiful place – and some of the jobs offer free housing!
Shop Assistant – It’s Not What You Remember from Your Teenage Years
If you love to spend time in a retail environment, restaurants, or cafes, perhaps you could get a part-time job working at one of your favorite shops or coffee establishments.
Places like Starbucks offer health benefits and free coffee. Working in a bustling coffee shop is a great way to meet people and feel connected to the daily activity of your community. Retail outlets offer some of the most reliable jobs for retirees.
Take advantage of the fact that retailers need some extra help every year during the upcoming weeks leading to the Holidays/Christmas season. You don’t have to make it a full-time job and you can also get discounts on your own holiday gift shopping.
Freelance Writer – Turn Your Words Into Opportunities
If you have some skills as a writer – whether from your career or just as a hobby – you can make money in retirement by working as a freelance writer or editor.
In the interview below, I talked with a successful freelance writer who works online. We discussed advice for women over 60 who want to turn freelance writing into a source of income.
Writing is one of the best part-time jobs for retirees because you can do the work anywhere, on your own schedule, and you can work with clients all over the world. The sky’s the limit!
You can find freelance writing projects on Upwork (formerly oDesk).
Also, if you have the desire to write a novel or a memoir this may be the perfect time to do it. Places like Amazon make it easy to self-publish your work and sell it online.
Nonprofit Worker – You Might Not Make Much Cash, but, You’ll Make the World a Better Place
Many women over 60 want to do something “meaningful” with their lives in retirement. Idealist.org is a good source of part-time jobs for retirees, depending on your skill set and your location.
Non-profit jobs can be competitive, so you also might consider volunteering to get started. Then, once you have a foot in the door with the organization, you can transition to paid work.
Massage Therapist – Relax Your Way into a Great Part-Time Job
As the population gets older, there will likely be a growing demand for massage therapy services to help people relieve aches, pains, and stresses on the body. People of all ages are discovering the health benefits of regular massage – so why not “cash in” on this trend?
Being a massage therapist is another great part-time job for retirees because you can set your own hours and practice out of a shared space.
It often doesn’t require a lot of money to get certified as a massage therapist, and once you’re licensed, you can work in a variety of fun settings – whether it’s a local spa or a cruise ship! Check out the Massage Therapy License website for more information about qualifications and requirements to become certified.
Makeup Artist – A Beautiful Job, if You’re Willing to Learn
You’ve been putting on makeup all your life, so you might as well get paid for it! Becoming a cosmetologist is another great part-time job for seniors because you can work from home, meet new people and make a difference in helping women feel better about themselves.
As part of your training, you could also volunteer at a local retirement home, theater company, or cancer hospital. There are many ways to bring extra beauty into the world!
Also, makeup counters in big box stores always need people passionate about makeup to sell their products. Why not apply at the shops that specialize in makeup for older women?
Want more ideas about how to get started finding a part-time job during retirement? Read our article that can help get you started on your new job search – from creating a resume to tapping into your network.
What do you think makes a great part-time job for retirees? Do you have a dream job that you plan on pursuing in retirement?