Have you recently retired?
You’ve said goodbye to your old working life and you’re excited about the years ahead. You can relax, take the time to do what you want to do, and not have to worry about the old nine to five.
You’ve certainly earned it.
But what if you suddenly have too much time on your hands? Or you miss the daily challenges of work? Or, perhaps, you want to make additional income in retirement?
It’s normal to want to do things after you retire. And when you want a little extra spending money, there are things you can do after retirement to make money.
Things to do after you retire
It doesn’t matter what stage of life you’re at, making some extra money is always a good thing. And there are a lot of things to do after you retire to make money and fill a yearning in your life.
But, why keep working after retirement?
Remember, work doesn’t have to be full-time or even long-term and a lot of the work people often choose to do after they retire doesn’t even require them to leave the house.
Financial benefits aside, working after retirement can help your cognitive function and mental sharpness. It can even lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
The real secret is to do something that keeps you busy, is rewarding, and doesn’t add extra stress to your life.
If you’re wondering how to earn money after retirement, here are six ideas.
1. Start a bed and breakfast
Running a B&B is a fun and exciting way to earn money after you retire.
If you have a large enough home and you’re not sure how to fill those extra bedrooms, then turning them into a warm and welcoming space for visitors and holidaymakers could be perfect for you.
It involves modest start-up costs, is a great way to bring in regular cash, and you could even get repeat business.
Starting up a bed and breakfast is especially good if you enjoy socialising and meeting new people. Better still, you’re in complete control. You decide what price to charge, what the house rules are, and what dates the rooms are available.
2. Consider fostering
Fostering a child or multiple children in need is a rewarding, caring, and exciting option after you retire.
Whether you have raised your own children or not, spending your retirement years caring for children who need it most will give you a sense of purpose, keep you busy, make you happy, and help to pay the bills too.
There is no official upper age limit for foster parents, and many older people make excellent carers (providing you are fit and well and capable of looking after a child or teenager.) If you apply to be a foster parent, you would need to undergo a full fostering assessment, but this is the case for all potential foster parents.
If you are passionate about giving vulnerable children a safe and loving home then age really doesn’t matter.
At FCA, we take the time to listen to you and expertly match you with children who suit your experience. We’ll also provide you with full training, consistent support, and 24/7 help, so you’ll never be on your own.
3. Teaching or tutoring
Even if you weren’t a teacher in your working life, if you have a passion for a subject then tutoring could be for you.
Previous teaching experience is, of course, a plus, however, one of the most popular ways to tutor is teaching English online. There are lots of websites out there that offer flexible tutoring opportunities that fit around your time and skills. This option doesn’t even require you to leave your home
With certain websites, you’re required to have a Bachelor’s degree or a TEFL (Teaching English as a foreign language) qualification.
If you play an instrument, then becoming a music tutor would combine your love of music with earning extra income.
But you could also tutor face to face. Advertise your services online and in your local community. As your reputation grows, so will your client base.
4. Become a marketplace seller
We’re not talking about a physical marketplace (although that too is an option), but online marketplaces such as Etsy.
Etsy is similar to eBay but it focuses more on hand-crafted goods and vintage items. And it gets A LOT of customers. Recent stats showed that there are almost 82 million buyers who have purchased items on the website.
So, if you’re a dab hand at crafting, knitting, jewellery-making, art, or anything else creative, this is a fun way to earn some extra income doing what you love. Plus, you can do it in the comfort of your own home!
5. Be a pet sitter
For animal lovers, what could be better than spending your days looking after pets?
Why not consider becoming a pet sitter or even a dog-walker? These are easy and fun things to do after retirement to make money. Plus, being around animals releases endorphins, helping you to feel happy. All you need is a love of animals and a network of local pet-owners and you’re good to go!
Another great benefit is if you’re looking after dogs you’ll be sure to get plenty of exercise taking them for walks - a big plus for your health and longevity.
6. Work in customer service
Do you love speaking to people and helping solve issues? Working in customer service is another rewarding way to earn money after retirement.
You can choose to either do it from the comfort of your home or in a retail environment.
Customer service jobs are in high demand, and they are usually flexible, so you can take on the work around your schedule.
Having empathy and patience is a must for customer service jobs, and they’re a great way to socialise and keep your mind sharp.
Fostering a child after retirement
If you’re asking yourself how do I find my purpose in life after retirement, fostering children in need could be your perfect calling. It’s one of the most rewarding things to do after retirement, and it can change a child’s life, as well as your own.
At FCA, we see fostering as a partnership, and we’re committed to making it work for everyone. We want everyone to feel they’re part of a large, happy family, and we would love you to be a part of it.
If you would like to learn more about fostering, then get in touch or download our guide, Fostering 101: The Beginner’s Guide to Fostering a Child. It’s everything you need to know about fostering in one, handy place.
Fostering 101: The Beginner’s Guide to Fostering a Child.
Download the FCA’s complete beginner’s guide to fostering a child. Find out more on how to foster a child and the process involved.
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