Episode 6 - Side Hustles in Retirement

In today's episode we'll discuss a few examples of side hustles or part time jobs that might work for retirees and how we might go about landing one.  

Transcript

Episode 6 – Side Hustles in Retirement 

According to a recent BankRate Survey, 24% of Baby Boomers, those folks that are 59 to 77, said that they had a side hustle.  Side Hustle is the new name for part-time job.  I’ve personally found that true as I talk with other retirees and there are various reasons why someone might want to continue to work, mostly parttime, during their retirement.

Today, I’ll look at some options for part time work for us old folks, so stay tuned and I’ll be right back.

When talking with retirees who’ve been doing retirement for a while, everyone talks about the need to stay active once you’ve retired.  Playing golf, exercising, taking classes, crafting and volunteering are just a few of the ways seniors stay active.  Many of us, however, will choose to work some form of part time job.  Whether that means full time hours on a shortened weekly schedule or part time hours on some type of full-time schedule it all boils down to going back to work, even if it’s only limited work. 

There’s a multitude of reasons for this.  Many need the extra income for some type of savings, maybe for vacation, maybe to help with grandkids education or maybe the extra income is needed to help ease the burden of inflation or pay for some unexpected expense.  Regardless of your reason, there are many jobs available and it’s easy to find work, but you’ll need to decide what type of work best fits you and the schedule you feel will not intrude too deeply into your new, more relaxed retirement life.  Here’s a few suggestions that might work for you in no particular order.

1. Delivery Driver  

Delivery driving is one item that comes to mind, and I see seniors in my area doing this every day.  Delivery driving is flexible, and it can be a lucrative option during retirement. Here are some popular delivery driver options you can consider 

Food delivery: 
The rise of food delivery platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub have created opportunities for delivery drivers. You can sign up as a driver with these platforms and deliver food from restaurants to customers' doorsteps. This is a popular choice as it offers flexibility in terms of working hours and allows you to explore your local area.  The last part of this, the exploration portion can be especially interesting if you’ve recently relocated for retirement.  In addition to delivery from restaurants, there are also grocery delivery jobs available.  You can apply as a driver for these services and deliver groceries to customers who have placed orders online. Platforms like Instacart and Shipt are popular options for grocery delivery and some of the larger companies like Wallmart, often hire their own drivers.

 Package delivery: 

Consider becoming a driver for package delivery services like Amazon Flex or UPS My Choice. These services typically involve delivering packages to customers' homes or businesses in your own vehicle.  You can choose your own hours and you get to pick when and where you deliver.  These jobs are often filled with no availability, but you can sign up and get placed on a waiting list until an opening that you lie comes available.

Medical and pharmaceutical delivery: 

Some companies specialize in delivering medications and medical supplies to patients' homes. You could explore opportunities with local pharmacies or specialized medical delivery services. This can be a rewarding option if you enjoy helping others and have a passion for healthcare.  There are some other medical services that pick-up samples for delivery to testing labs, etc., but you’ll most likely be employed by the company and face more restrictions on who’s hired because of various security and legal reasons, but part-time opportunities do exist. 

Local delivery services: 

Consider reaching out to local businesses in your area that may require delivery services. This could include delivering documents, products, or other items within your community. Building relationships with local establishments, like your local hardware store or a local auto parts company for example, could lead to recurring delivery opportunities, just ask if the need is there and let them know that you’re available. 

Before starting any delivery gig, make sure to research the specific requirements and qualifications needed, such as having a valid driver's license, insurance, and a reliable vehicle. It's also important to consider factors like scheduling flexibility, compensation, and any associated costs before committing to a specific delivery service. 

2. Retail Jobs

Retail jobs can be a nice option when thinking about work with a flexible schedule and an opportunity to be out in the public if that’s what you enjoy doing. 

Greeter or Customer Service:  

Many stores and businesses hire greeters or customer service representatives to welcome customers, help customers find the items wanted and answer questions and provide helpful advice.  There’s also opportunities for the same type of services during festivals, events and conventions, if you have those things in your area. 

Retail Sales Associate:  

This involves interacting with and helping customers, with their purchases.  Many times, sales associates also keep the area that they work within neat and well stocked with the various merchandise, so there can be a bit of exercise built in.  Companies are always hiring part time employees during specific busy seasons, especially during the Christmas season.  Seasonal employment is a great way to get your foot in the door for future part-time gigs when they need someone to fill in. 

Brand Ambassador / Demonstrator:

I’m sure you’ve been into some of the Big Box stores and seen seniors demonstrating products or maybe cooking small samples for the shoppers to test, in hopes of helping the store sell these promotional items.  There are several companies that hire and place part time workers in these stores.  You can do a search online for store demonstrator or merchandising opportunities and you can sign up.  Many times, you agree to a certain amount of time, and they will assign you to a location during those times.  Other companies will post opportunities to their job board and then you select the ones you want to tackle.   

Cashier:

Working as the cashier involves operating the cash register and providing friendly customer service, which is another good fit for seniors who like interacting with people.  These jobs started disappearing a bit in the last couple of years, but companies are now realizing that the self-checkout model is not for everyone.  A lot of stores that wen to an almost self-checkout only model, are now hiring cashiers again.  Oddly, there are some folks out there that will not scan everything in their cart, and in doing so leads to large shrinkage for the retailer. 

Where can you find these retail sales opportunities you might ask?  Just about any store that you frequent, will have jobs available.

Hobby stores:  Hobby stores are one of the first that comes to mind.  In our area we have Michael’s and Hobby Lobby.  Both of which offer part-time jobs for seniors.  If you’re familiar with crafts, this is a perfect chance to work at something you enjoy and you can share your expertise. 

Book Stores:  If you are a book lover or avid reader, working in a bookstore could be a good fit.  You get the opportunity to discuss books and authors with other likeminded people and you can make recommendations, engage the readers, and provide a welcoming environment. 

Home Décor or Home Furnishing Stores:  This is a great job for anyone who has a passion for decorating and interior design.  Helping customers find that perfect item for their home can be rewarding.  If you work in some the home furnishing and home improvement stores, you can share your passion for DIY or help folks learn how to repair items around their home. 

Boutique Shops:  Boutique shops often offer unique and specialized products.  If you have a keen eye for fashion or if you enjoy helping customers find that special one-of-a-kind item, working in a boutique might be for you. 

Finding a retail sales position that you have expertise in can be pretty easy.  Just show up and ask at any of the locations you think you might enjoy working at.  In this post pandemic era, retailers are continuing to find it difficult to staff all their positions and are eager to hire retirees because of our world experience, our work ethic and dependability.  However, it’s important to mention that almost all retail jobs will require that you stand for the entire time you’re on duty.  So, you need to make sure you’re comfortable with doing that and make sure you can comfortably lift a few pounds before you accept one of these jobs. 

3.  Craft Seller

This is a term I’ve never really used before, but there is such a thing as a craft seller.  My wife is a perfect example of one.  She’s been doing different types of crafting for the last several years, as a hobby only and she’s normally gifted her work to friends and family.  However, in the last year she’s turned to selling her handmade jewelry and other craft items and it’s worked out as a lucrative side job.  If you’re interested in doing something similar, here a few things to keep in mind. 

Identify your niche: Many of you are probably involved in hobbies right now that you could take to market.  It can be anything from knitting, woodworking, jewelry making, or any number of items normally considered crafts. 

Do Quality Work:  Focus on creating high-quality crafts that are well made and visually appealing.  Pay close attention to detail and build a good reputation that will produce repeat customers. 

Setup an Online Presence:  Create a website and utilize e-commerce or set up a handmade marketplace on Etsy.  My wife has had very good results with her Etsy site, but it’s important to make sure you keep your items current and rotate your pictures and rotate out your in stock items as needed with seasonal changes, etc.  

Local Craft Fairs:  Participation in local craft fairs and local weekend markets can be another great way to reach new customers.  It’s a way to reach out to a broader customer base and a way to interact with customers face to face.  We have plans to set up a space with a local market that happens in our town each Saturday during the warmer months, and we have plans for at least 2 large craft fairs this Summer so that we can grow that business.  

Build your Brand:  Establish your brand with a unique logo or packaging and use that across all your marketing materials.  Brand identity can be something that sets your products apart from all the others and attracts loyal customers.

4. Tutoring

Tutoring can be a great side hustle during retirement. Not only does it allow you to share your knowledge and experience, but it also gives you the flexibility to work on your own terms. Here's how you can get started:

Identify your areas of expertise: Determine the subjects or skills you excel in and can confidently teach others. It could be academics (such as math, science, languages) or other specialized skills (such as music, art, or computer programming). 

Define your target audience: Decide who you want to tutor. Are you interested in helping students of a specific age group (e.g., elementary school, high school, college), or are you open to teaching adults as well? Understanding your target audience will help you tailor your services accordingly.

Set your rates: Research the market rates for tutoring services in your area or online. Consider your experience, qualifications, and the local demand when determining your rates. It's important to strike a balance between charging what you're worth and remaining competitive.

Create a professional profile: Build an attractive tutoring profile that highlights your qualifications, experience, and teaching style. Include any relevant certifications or degrees you have earned. Use online platforms like tutoring marketplaces or create your own website to showcase your services.  You want to set yourself apart from others, so be sure to emphasize why someone should choose you. 

Advertise your services: Spread the word about your tutoring services in various ways. Reach out to local schools, colleges, and community centers to let them know about your availability. Utilize social media platforms and online forums to connect with potential students or their parents. 

Provide a positive learning environment: Create a comfortable and supportive learning environment where students feel encouraged to ask questions and explore new concepts. Be patient, empathetic, and adapt your teaching methods to suit each student's learning style.

 Ask for testimonials and referrals: After working with students, ask them or their parents to provide testimonials about their experience with you.  There is no better advertising than that of positive reviews from people who have used your services.  

Remember, tutoring is not just about imparting knowledge; it's about building confidence and fostering a love for learning. Enjoy the process and embrace the rewarding experience of helping others succeed! 

These are only a sampling of ideas for enjoyable and lucrative side jobs during retirement.  I’m sure that you can come up with many more, but in my opinion, these four are easy to get into, flexible with regards to your time and can be enjoyable ways to spend some time each week.

I really appreciate you hanging in there to the end of today’s episode, and I hope you will join us again.  Take care of yourself and I’ll be speaking with you soon.