1. A delivery driver is one of the top side hustles for seniors.
If you are capable of driving safely, then rideshare or delivery driving can be a beneficial side hustle for retirees. Companies like Lyft or Uber offer flexible hours, allowing drivers to choose when they work. Alternatively, you could become a delivery driver for a nearby business.
2. Seniors might enjoy online teaching as a side hustle.
Online teaching through a platform could serve as an excellent secondary source of income for seniors. Teaching English, especially English as a Second Language (ESL), can provide ample opportunities for work. However, there are online platforms that offer the flexibility to design and conduct classes on a wide range of subjects.
3. Becoming a realtor could be a good side hustle.
Elderly individuals could have a job that provides some degree of flexibility by showcasing and marketing properties.
Do you have a long-standing interest in becoming a real estate agent or realtor? Although selling real estate can be time-consuming, it can also be a profitable and adaptable side job. You could even choose to specialize as a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and solely focus on senior real estate.
4. Retail arbitrage could be an enjoyable side hustle.
Seniors who love to browse through neighborhood stores can transform it into a lucrative endeavor. Retail arbitrage entails purchasing merchandise from community stores (usually at discounted or clearance rates) and subsequently vending them for a higher price on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon. Moreover, online flea markets may also be utilized for item sales.
5. Become a mobile notary and you make good money without long hours.
Mobile notaries assist with legal contracts by verifying the identity of signatories during the signing of official documents. Certification may require completion of relevant courses, following which one may begin to offer notary signing services while traveling. A survey conducted in 2020 found that 43 percent of part-time, self-employed notaries earned more than $500 monthly, while nearly 30 percent made over $1,000 each month.
6. Being a short-term rental host is a flexible side hustle for seniors.
By utilizing your property as a rental on Airbnb, you have the opportunity to generate income. You hold the power to establish your own rental rates, make the unit accessible to guests when it suits your schedule, and offer outstanding customer support to receive favorable evaluations.
7. Make your own crafts to sell as a side hustle.
If you possess a talent for artistry or creativity, you have the option of initiating a secondary business endeavor by vending your unique creations. These could include items such as handcrafted quilts, watercolor portraits, homemade accessories, custom-engraved chopping boards, or virtually anything that can be fashioned using your manual dexterity. Craft exhibitions in your vicinity provide an excellent launching point for sales.
8. Pet lovers can start a pet-related side hustle in retirement.
Seniors who have a passion for animals could consider pet care as an excellent side gig. By getting registered as a pet care provider on Rover.com, one could offer various options such as boarding pets at their residence, providing only daycare, feeding cats or birds by paying a visit or taking dogs for a walk whenever necessary.
9. Proofreading or Copyediting
Proofreading services are in high demand by bloggers, websites, and businesses that are willing to pay substantial sums.
You have the flexibility to kickstart a side job in proofreading or copyediting just with your laptop, irrespective of where you are in the world. Furthermore, you are empowered to determine your own hourly charges and invoice accordingly.
Another option is to create your own enterprise that involves acting as a middleman between individuals’ time and monetary compensation, while also recruiting additional staff to handle proofreading tasks.
10. Become a Virtual Assistant
In the digital economy, being a virtual assistant is a highly sought-after, lucrative, and top side gig.
Assisting virtually as a side gig for digital nomads or frequent travelers is a possibility from any location, all on a laptop. With the increase in digital business launches, a need for helpers to manage them is in high demand.
To obtain a thorough plan, refer to my article on becoming a virtual assistant.
Although I have never worked as a virtual assistant myself, I am aware that numerous individuals have earned substantial earnings from it. One of my acquaintances, Sarah, was able to leave her full-time profession and generate more income while also being able to spend more time with her children within just three months of establishing her virtual assistant business.
11. Dog Walking or Pet Sitting
For those who adore animals, this part-time position is sure to be both enjoyable and fulfilling. Platforms such as Rover provide a range of services relating to dogs, such as dog-walking, accommodation, pet-care, and house minding.
Choose the services that make you feel at ease and relish every working hour.
Although dog walking may not be a means of getting rich, it is an excellent opportunity to incorporate routine physical activity into your routine and earn additional money.
12. Babysit
Babysitting or nannying can be a fulfilling side job for those who like working with children. Mary Grace Gambrell has worked as a nanny both as a full-time profession and a part-time job. Her journey started with babysitting during her high school days to gain work experience, and later, she performed nanny duties during summer breaks in university.
Following her graduation, she created a profile on websites such as Care.com, outlining her previous experiences, the age ranges that she had worked with, and the sorts of activities she liked engaging in with children. Today, through these platforms, she charges over $30 hourly for her babysitting services.
13. Do Odd Jobs
If you don’t have a specific side job in mind and are willing to take on various tasks to boost your income, you might want to try odd jobs. Many other short-term jobs are available such as running errands, cleaning, assembling furniture, or managing your lawn.
If you’re interested in doing odd jobs, the Steady App can be a valuable tool. By taking into account your abilities, past work experience, and personal preferences, Steady can match you with relevant job opportunities.
With Steady, you can use an income tracker tool to manage your earnings and establish income targets. Additionally, you may be eligible for incentive bonuses from Steady’s collaborators for completing specific tasks.
