53 GREAT Side Hustles for Retirees to Make Money From Now

Retirement is a great time to try new things and hobbies that can make money.

Along with the usual retirement activities, we’re also talking about different side hustles that retirees can start.

The thing is, having a bit of extra money or a fun activity can make retirement better. The best part is, many of these hobbies for retirees can turn into something bigger, like a small business, if they really get into them.

If a retiree is looking to do something enjoyable or make some extra money without the usual work stuff, they can check out some of the ideas below. Some of these options are even easy to do from home!

Consulting

Leverage your expertise and experience by offering consulting services in your former field. This could include providing advice, mentoring, or project-based assistance to businesses or individuals.

Sell Your Private Label Products on Amazon

Create your brand of products and sell them on Amazon using the FBA program. Here is a full guide on how to start an Amazon FBA business.

See: 53-Year-Old Quits Her Job and Now Makes $5M a Year Selling Her Invention on Amazon

Run a YouTube Channel Geared Toward Retirees

Share your expertise, hobbies, or life experiences with other retirees by starting a YouTube channel. You could create content on topics like travel, cooking, DIY projects, or personal finance.

Start a Blog 

Share your knowledge, interests, or passion for a particular topic by starting a blog. You could write about travel, gardening, cooking, personal finance, or anything else that interests you.

Sports Coach

If you have experience and expertise in a particular sport, consider becoming a sports coach for local teams or individuals. This could include coaching youth leagues, adult recreational teams, or providing private coaching sessions.

Referee

Become a referee for local sports leagues or tournaments. This could include officiating games for sports like soccer, basketball, baseball, or volleyball.

Charge Scooters 

Sign up to become a scooter charger for companies like Lime or Bird. You’ll collect scooters that need charging, charge them at your home overnight, and then place them back on the streets in the morning.

Overnight Nanny

I learned about this side hustle by accident. My neighbor does it and she earns really good money.

I don’t want to sound elitist, but all those moms who don’t want to get up to feed their babies at night have something in common. They have money and they are not disabled.

Online Store Manager

Assist small businesses or entrepreneurs with managing their online stores on Shopify, Etsy, or eBay. This could include tasks such as product listing, order fulfillment, customer service, and marketing.

Tutoring

If you have expertise in a particular subject or skill, consider offering tutoring services. You can teach skills like music, art, or languages.

Pet Sitting or Dog Walking

Many pet owners need someone to care for their pets while they’re away or take their dogs for walks during the day. If you’re an animal lover, this could be a fun and rewarding side hustle.

Freelance Writing

If you enjoy writing, consider freelance writing as a side hustle. You could write articles, blog posts, or content for websites on topics that interest you.

Handyman Services

If you’re good with your hands and have experience with home repairs, consider offering handyman services to neighbors or local businesses.

This could include tasks like minor plumbing repairs, painting, or landscaping. Use sites like Task Rabbit or Thumbtack to find jobs.

Senior Companionship

Many seniors appreciate having someone to talk to, run errands with, or accompany them to appointments. You could offer companionship services to other seniors in your community.

Arts and Crafts

You can turn your hobby into a side hustle by selling your handmade goods. This could include items like jewelry, knitted scarves, pottery, or paintings.

The best place to sell these items is Etsy but you can use Facebook marketplace as well.

Photography

If you have photography skills, consider offering your services for events like weddings, family portraits, or corporate headshots. You could also sell your photos online through stock photography websites like Shutterstock.

Photography Editing Services

Offer photo editing services to photographers who may need help enhancing and retouching their images.

Fitness Instructor

Become a fitness instructor. This could involve teaching classes like yoga, tai chi, or water aerobics at local gyms or community centers.

Tour Guide

If you’re knowledgeable about your local area or have a particular interest, become a tour guide. You could lead walking tours, historical tours, or specialty tours focused on food, art, or nature.

House Sitting

You can offer house sitting services for people who are going on vacation or traveling for work. This could involve tasks like collecting mail, watering plants, and ensuring the home is secure while the owners are away.

Flipping

Start a small resale business by buying items at thrift stores, garage sales, or online marketplaces and reselling them for a profit. You can flip pallets, clothing, and vintage items, and sell antiques, or collectibles. If you need ideas here is what are the best items to flip on Facebook marketplace.

Catering

If you enjoy cooking, start a small catering business. You could specialize in providing catering services for events like parties, weddings, or corporate meetings.

Home Organizing 

Help people declutter and organize their homes by offering professional organizing services. This could involve decluttering closets, organizing paperwork, or optimizing storage spaces.

Language Tutoring

If you’re fluent in a second language, offer language tutoring services to individuals or small groups. This could be especially appealing to students or professionals looking to improve their language skills for travel or work.

Gardening Service

If you have a green thumb, offer gardening services to homeowners or businesses. This could include tasks like planting flowers, maintaining lawns, or landscaping design.

Event Planning

This could involve planning and coordinating events like birthday parties, anniversaries, or corporate retreats.

Tech Support

Offer tech support services such as helping with computer setup, troubleshooting software issues to individuals or small businesses. 

Craft Workshops 

Host craft workshops or classes. You can teach knitting, sewing, quilting, or woodworking.

Personal Shopping

Become a personal shopper and offer your service to busy individuals or those who need assistance with shopping for specific items like clothing, groceries, or gifts.

Elderly Caregiving

Provide caregiving services to other seniors who may need assistance with daily activities such as meal preparation, medication reminders, or companionship.

Music Lessons

If you’re musically inclined, offer music lessons in instruments like piano, guitar, or violin to beginners or intermediate learners.

Travel Planning

Use your travel experience and organizational skills to help others plan their vacations. Offer travel planning services including itinerary creation, booking accommodations, and arranging activities.

Baking and Catering

If you enjoy baking, consider starting a small baking business from home. You can sell baked goods like cakes, cookies, or pies at local markets, events, or via the Facebook marketplace. Do you need ideas? Check out these easy foods to make and sell.

Language Translation

If you know any other language you can start a translating side hustle. 

Home Staging

Help homeowners prepare their properties for sale by offering home staging services. This involves rearranging furniture, decluttering, and adding decorative touches to enhance the appeal of the home to potential buyers.

Online Course Creation 

Share your expertise in a particular subject by creating and selling online courses. You can sell your courses on Udemy or Skillshare. To help you out we put together a guide on how to make money on Skillshare.

Real Estate Assistant

Assist real estate agents with tasks like scheduling appointments, preparing marketing materials, or conducting research on properties.

Life Coaching

This can be location location-independent business idea. Use your life experience and wisdom to offer life coaching services, helping clients set goals, overcome challenges, and achieve personal growth.

Virtual Event Hosting

Host virtual events such as webinars, workshops, or online classes on topics you’re knowledgeable about or passionate about.

Personal Concierge 

Provide personal concierge services to busy individuals or families, handling tasks such as grocery shopping, running errands, or organizing appointments.

Genealogy Research

If you have an interest in genealogy and family history, offer genealogy research services to help others trace their family tree and uncover their ancestry.

Resume Writing and Career Coaching

 Assist job seekers with resume writing, interview preparation, and career coaching to help them land their dream job or transition to a new career.

Meal Preparation Services

Prepare and deliver healthy meals to busy individuals or families who don’t have the time to cook for themselves.

Home Inspection Services

Offer home inspection services to homebuyers or sellers, providing thorough inspections and detailed reports on the condition of properties.

Virtual Assistant for Seniors

Assist elderly individuals with tasks such as managing email, paying bills online, or scheduling appointments in the digital world.

Personal Styling 

Help individuals revamp their wardrobes and enhance their style by offering personal styling services, including wardrobe assessments and shopping assistance.

Rent Out a Room

If you have a spare room in your home, consider renting it out to travelers through Airbnb or VRBO to earn extra income.

Gourmet Food Delivery 

Prepare and deliver gourmet meals or specialty food items (e.g., homemade jams, baked goods) to local customers who appreciate high-quality, artisanal products.

Language Interpretation Services 

Another option for people speaking multiple languages. Use your language skills to provide interpretation services for individuals or businesses in need of translation during meetings, conferences, or events.

Gardening Consultation

Help homeowners design and maintain beautiful gardens by offering gardening consultation services, including plant selection, layout planning, and maintenance tips.

Elderly Transportation Service

There are many driving jobs for seniors. This one is a transportation service for elderly individuals who may need assistance getting to appointments, running errands, or visiting friends and family.

Digital Marketing Consultation

Share your expertise in digital marketing by offering consultation services to small businesses looking to improve their online presence and marketing strategies.

RV Rental Management

If you own an RV, consider renting it out to travelers through peer-to-peer rental platforms like Outdoorsy or RVshare.