What Can You Do for a Little Side Hustle?
For the majority of people, retirement brings many benefits, freedom to spend your time how you choose, taking up new hobbies, travelling, seeing friends, joining clubs. For others, the extra time may seem too much, and they become bored. Some may miss the regular salary they used to have, and would love the opportunity to earn a little money.
There is a way you can enjoy all the benefits of retirement, earn a little extra, and be as busy as you choose to be doing something you enjoy. How? Get a side hustle.
Side hustles can be anything at all, and retirees, who have the advantage of a pension, can choose to do something we love, rather than just focusing on income. Side hustles can also be a great way of feeling productive/valued, making new friends, learning new skills and getting out in the community.
There are literally hundreds of things to choose from, so take your time to think about how much time and money you want to invest (some require little or no financial outlay). Consider what skills you have, or what you may need to learn. Below are just a few you might find interesting.
Celebrant
Celebrants are one of the fastest growing new careers in the UK, and many don’t begin this rewarding life until they are in their 50s, 60s and even beyond. A Celebrant conducts a variety of ceremonies, including funerals, weddings, baby naming ceremonies, divorce healing ceremonies, rites of passage and many more.
They meet clients, write the service plan and ceremonial script, and preside over the ceremony. If you like writing, planning, creativity and enjoy meeting people, this could be an excellent side hustle for you.
Crafter
With so many on-line sites to sell your crafts, as well as a huge number of craft fairs up and down the country, this is an excellent way to make additional money and do something you love. Crafting includes jewellery making, knitting, sewing, dying fabric, pottery, weaving, leatherwork, candle making, soap making and hundreds more.
Upcycling
Who doesn’t enjoy putting a little love into something and extending its life by a few years? I know I do! Going to car boots, auctions, country house sales and buying an item that you take home and lovingly restore can, not only enjoyable, but really lucrative. You can up-cycle almost anything from furniture, curtains, clothes, garden equipment, cameras and even cycles!
Consultant
If you are an expert in a particular field, you could work as a consultant, sharing your knowledge and expertise with others. This allows you to use the knowledge you have built up throughout your career to help others. It provides flexibility, the opportunity to build relationships and feel valued and some extra income.
Fresh Fruit and Veg Delivery
A growing number of people love to have a fruit and veg box delivered to their door, especially if it is locally produced. We are more aware of our carbon footprint than ever before, so knowing something is grown nearby can be really important to many (and the planet!). There is also the benefit of less packaging.
Some customers particularly like organic food boxes. You may be able to buy direct from growers, or buy at a wholesale market.
Wedding Planner
Wedding Planners are hired by couples to help create and design their wedding. This may include guest lists, invitations, locating the venue, catering, etc. Wedding Planners need to be extremely organised, creative and stay calm under pressure, after all, you are planning one of the most important days of your clients’ lives. If you are enjoy creating the perfect event, this could be a great side hustle for you.
Antique Dealer
If you have a love for old things, enjoy going to antique auctions and have sound knowledge of antiques and valuables, this could be an enjoyable way of earning money. Auction Houses often sell items that can be sold for a profit (though always remember to include their fees) and there are significant opportunities for selling antiques overseas to countries such as America, where many interior designers purchase old pieces of furniture etc.
Film/TV Extra
Working as a film/TV extra can involve long days, often standing about for hours, perhaps in the cold and rain, but it can also be a lot of fun. You do not need to have any experience and agencies are looking for all types of people so age, size, shape, etc., is irrelevant. It helps if you are willing to travel and have good availability, as agencies often need to find extras in a hurry. Never hand over any money without fully checking the agency out.
Stock Photos/Videos
Stock photos and videos are used by millions of businesses all over the world. Many websites buy stock photos or videos to provide a colourful and stylish image, perhaps for their website, business brochures, marketing materials, etc. If your passion is for photography/videography this could be an excellent way of building a side hustle while doing something you love.
So, you can see there are a lot of opportunities out there just waiting to be explored. Choose something you are passionate about and really enjoy. Being successful is much more likely if you love what you do. Hopefully, you can earn money and enjoy how you make it. What could be better?
Let’s start a conversation:
Do you have a side hustle? Have you thought about starting one? What would be your main motivation? Do you know anyone who has a successful side hustle?
Tags Encore Careers
I am 64 and actively working as bookkeeper, and so much more, at our tree nursery. I could see a garden center possibly hiring seniors, but the work at many nurseries can entail vigorous labor. Since cannabis is legal here a senior might find work as a trimmer, but if hands are arthritic, 4-8 hrs. of trimming could be tough. There is definitely ageism taking place here, according to friends of mine. I think we really have to think outside of the box and keep as positive of an attitude as possible. Lily, I find your list of side hustle ideas very helpful. Having that as an actual, accessible list in a future posting would be great! I have to be honest, that I don’t feel as fast or sharp as I used to be. Trying to be realistic about what would be right for me seems so important. I worked in the legal field for 16 yrs. prior to co-owning the tree nursery. To the person who feels some of these side hustle jobs would be beneath them, perhaps working at an art gallery, or something of that nature would be appealing? I would like to think that whatever a person chooses, there could be the opportunity to learn and meet new people. Status being at the forefront seems like it could interfere with that.
Good luck everyone!
Thank you for being part of the discussion TerriJ. I agree with you about garden centres and art galleries, as many here seem to offer work to older people. As you say, it is often about looking outside the box. Yesterday I met. lady who was almost seventy. She had taken ‘A Shelf’ at a little emporium I was browsing at. She paid £12.50 per week, could sell whatever she wanted, bought little items of jewellery at car boots, could expand her ‘shelf’ whenever she wanted, and the best bit was she didn’t have to sell the items as there was someone working in the emporium. Sounds like a great side hustle to me, making a little money, and a lot of fun finding things to sell! Thank you for your suggestion about a list. I have written a book called How To Make Money Working From Home. Although not just for older people, there are some good ideas which would suit people at any age. Lily x
I started projecting into my retirement since 2020. I’m a teacher in the secondary school (high school). I started buying and selling African printed fabrics to my colleagues. Am still running the fabrics business, though.
My precedesors experience pains of deprivation due to non payment/prolonged period of awaiting the payment of their gratuity. Some died heart broken, some are still waiting without the assurance of getting their entitlements paid to them. I don’t want to be a victim. Hence my initiative.
My retirement date is due for sometimes this July, God willing. My worry now is what other complementing side hustle can I add to diversify my business. My last two children are still in tertiary institutions of learning!
Hi Christie, Thank you for adding to the discussion. What a wonderful business idea! When I first visited Kenya and South Africa many years ago, I thought about buying African Art to bring back and sell. It was so vibrant and beautiful! You are obviously very forward thinking and trying to ensure things are not the same as others in your family. Good luck with your new initiatives and I wish you good wishes for your retirement. Lily x
I’ve worked two jobs since I was in my early forties. I’m now retired but continue to work a job that I’ve done since around 2007. I’m a facepainter. I love the people I work with, people I meet, and the flexibility to schedule around trips with my husband and time with my children, spouses, and grans! I know having done this for almost 18 years, it’s not a new thing at retirement, but doing something you love is definitely the way to go. Also please look into spousal support, if your spouse is currently taking social security, you are or have been married for at least 10 years, and whether still married, divorced, or spouse is now deceased, you can be eligible for 1/2 their ssa payment until you are ready to collect your personal ssa payments. Call your local ssa location and check into this to help your income. I pray this info helps with your retirement walk. Have a wonderful Memorial holiday. Pati
Hi Pati, How wonderful to have a job making people happy :) I am sure you have developed fantastic skills, and met many interesting people (and delighted children!). Thank you for mentioning about spousal support, I know many people don’t realise there is money they can claim. Have a lovely Sunday. Lily x
I tried the consulting thing but I don’t know how to go about it at all…. I’m having trouble because I’m 63, so can’t really retire until 67 according to SS; but I can’t afford to not work. I am discriminated against because of my age – no one wants to hire us, let’s face it. This is the only class of people that CAN be discriminated against. Even my husband was told he is too old to be a Pastor of all things – he had it on tape – and yet our state says, that’s ok in religious organizations. I desperately need help; yet, knowing I don’t have many decades ahead of me, I still want to enjoy what I do have left. We need an episode on how to start your own gig…..
Shirley, Although there IS age discrimination in some fields it is not true in all fields. Some businesses have realized that an older worker is more reliable and typically does not have the same distractions as younger people. I’ve had friends who are retired and work in nurseries as they love to Garden, do reception and some administrative work, teach, work som retail. Yes, they do consulting too. Of course, you need to be able to “offer” something if you want to consult. What field did you leave? You can simply search google. Search. How do I price my consulting services. Additionally, you should look up SCORE, the Senior Core of Retired Executives. It is a free service and they can help you.
As a professional in the corporate sector, I agree wholeheartedly with Shirley. Your comment may have meant to be helpful but it is more condescending than constructive. We aren’t minimum wage workers helping out as the old person at a nursery.
Good morning ladies. I am really pleased to read your discussions, talking is the only way to make changes. It is, sadly, true many older people still have to focus on financial needs.
I feel it can be more difficult to get work as you age, and I can only speak from experiences of people I know in the UK, but there are companies here who actively employ older people, for example Sainsbury’s, Marks and Spencer and B and Q. There are also many opportunities for doing something you enjoy, even if you may need to brush up on a few skills.
As a qualified Celebrant, I feel this is an excellent side hustle, and training can be relatively quick. You can easily earn more than £100 for a days work (often much more). When I used to train Celebrants, the majority of my students were over 50, with many 60 and beyond. It is a role that requires life skills, so is really suitable to us older people. I wish you all well and thank you for taking the time to add to the discussion. Lily x
Try looking into a job working remotely. Lots of banks are hiring these types of jobs. Or look into working for a nonprofit organization. They are not tied to corporate rules or practices. I work for a local nonprofit hospice and love my job. Just a suggestion. Good luck.
Thank you Kay. Some good suggestions, and I am pleased you love your work! Lily x
I would have to find that list of “literally hundreds of things to choose from”.
Good morning Brenda, Thank you for joining in the discussions. I thought I would add a few more which might be of interest, although I would always add, find something you love :)
Courier, rent out spare room or garage space, pet sitting, editing, online teaching, house sitting, book keeping, proof reading, picture framer, will writer, exam invigilators, car boots, craft fairs, writing/selling online course, eBay, blogging, virtual PA, tour guide, mentoring, doula. I hope you find something wonderful to do! Lily x