13 Ways to Make Extra Money from Home in Retirement
These days, you don’t even have to leave your house to bring in a little extra cash. Thanks to the internet, you can make a little extra money working from home! If you’re a senior who wants to make money without the stress of the nine-to-five grind, then consider trying out one of these 13 work-from-home side hustles!
1. Become a pet sitter.
Being a pet sitter is a great way to bring in a little extra cash while also spending time with some furry friends. As long as you have some experience and a love for animals, you should do great! Make sure that you research and know what you’re getting into before you advertise your pet-sitting services. For example, if you decide to pet sit dogs, do you know how much exercise specific breeds need? If someone needs you to watch their parrot, can you deal with its needs?
2. Work as an English teacher.
ESL teachers are in hot demand, and it’s a job you can do right from your home! Most of these online jobs require you to be a fluent English speaker with some teaching experience and at least a bachelor’s degree. While some places send you equipment, others may require that you have the appropriate equipment on hand. This may include a laptop, headset, high-speed internet connection, and a webcam. Sites like VIPKid and iTutorGroup are always looking for teachers.
3. Take freelance writing or editing jobs.
Calling all lovers of the written word! If you have a passion for writing or editing, there are plenty of jobs that may require your skill set. For example, many indie publishing houses are on the hunt for editors and typically pay per project. If you don’t want to work for someone else, you can always advertise your skills as a writer or editor on sites like Upwork or Fiverr and let potential clients come to you. The best part is that you can do this job anywhere, as long as you have a laptop and internet. Plus, on sites like Fiverr, you can set the price and deadline.
4. Teach piano (or another instrument).
If you’re skilled with any kind of instrument, advertise your services as a piano teacher on Facebook or through word of mouth. All you need is a piano (or your instrument of choice) and a dedicated space to teach potential students. You can set your own schedule and help instill a love of music in others. And, like the other jobs on this list, you don’t have to leave your home to teach!
5. Become a babysitter.
Maybe pets aren’t your thing, and that’s okay! But you can still care for a living being from the comfort of your home if you become a babysitter. Like pet sitting, babysitting may require you to be on your feet a lot and play with kids. Make sure that you have toys and games for the kids to play with, too!
6. Host guests.
Do you live in a large house with extra rooms that don’t get a lot of attention? Do you live in an area that draws a lot of visitors? Then consider renting out a spare room or space on Airbnb and hosting guests! You can do it during peak tourist season or year-round. You don’t even have to leave your home to play host. It’s a great way to bring in a little extra income without returning to the nine-to-five. Plus, if you’re an extrovert who loves people, you’ll enjoy it!
7. Sell handmade goods.
Are you a knitter? Do you like to paint? Can you bake? If the answer to any of those questions is “yes”, then consider turning your hobby into a little side hustle. Set up an Etsy store to start selling your handmade goods. Or you can set up a Facebook business profile or professional website and start advertising your cookies or other baked goods.
8. Pick up a customer support specialist job.
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, a lot of companies have started creating work-from-home customer support specialist roles. Some are customer service representative jobs, while others may involve data entry or IT. Whatever the case, these jobs are easy to find and apply for online! Just make sure that you have a quiet office space and some coffee, and get ready to earn a little extra cash!
9. Alter and mend clothes.
If you’re a wizard with a needle, you can make a little extra money by opening your own at-home clothes-altering business. While you might not have steady business at first, you’ll have customers as soon as you start advertising a little! These days, people are more apt to toss or donate a pair of pants or a shirt once they’re ripped. However, if they realize that somebody can fix their clothes, they might send a little business your way. You could also advertise your services in a laundromat or dry-cleaning business. That’s a surefire way to catch the attention of the right customer base!
10. Tutor.
If the thought of teaching English doesn’t appeal to you, you can still teach other subjects. Whether your area of expertise is algebra or French history, there are always students in need of a little extra help in certain subjects. You can always tutor online, like on Tutor.com. But if you don’t have the right equipment (and don’t feel like investing in it), you can tutor offline, as well! Just set up a nice, quiet space in your house.
11. Downsize.
A lot of us have clutter somewhere in our homes. Junk we no longer need or use piles up in our attics or garages. Rather than letting old items collect dust or attract moths, consider gathering up everything that no longer serves a purpose in your home and selling it online. Or you can hold a yard sale or garage sale!
12. Try your hand at housesitting.
Not crazy about babies or pets? Don’t worry, you aren’t out of luck! Consider housesitting at a friend’s or neighbor’s house while they’re out of town or in another country. Sure, you’ll have to leave your home, but you’ll be able to relax in somebody else’s house for a while!
13. Take paid surveys.
If you love giving your opinion, then you should get paid for it! No, really, you should take paid surveys for a little extra cash. On Google Opinion Rewards, you can take quick, easy surveys for Google Pay credits (or $1 paid to your PayPal account). Other popular survey sites include Eureka, Swagbucks, and Make Money. Whatever the case, make sure a survey site is reputable and safe before you enter any information. If your goal is to make money, you definitely don’t want to lose it in an online scam.
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Originally published May 22, 2025
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