13 Ways to Make Extra Money from Home in Retirement

Retirement is a goal we all hope to achieve someday. If you’ve already accomplished that, congratulations! While retirement is the perfect time to catch your breath and enjoy all the fun activities you swore you’d try when you were still working, it’s also a great time to rediscover your purpose. A great way to do that? To try out a new side hustle or part-time job! These days, you don’t even have to leave your house to bring in a little extra cash. You can make a little extra money working from home! If that interests you, you’ll want to stick around for this article.

1. Become a pet sitter.

If you’re an animal lover with a lot of free time on your hands, have we got a job for you? 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 lot for animals, you should excel! 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 do canine pet sitting, do you know how much exercise specific breeds need? Are you prepared to handle those demands? If someone needs you to watch their parrot, are you equipped to deal with a parrot’s needs? Make sure that you only take on the sort of pets you can handle and don’t stress yourself out!

2. Work as an English teacher.

ESL teachers are in hot demand, and it’s a job you can do from the comfort of your own home! Most of these online jobs require that you’re a fluent English speaker with some teaching experience and at least a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, earning your Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate may help you nab these coveted roles. 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 such as VIPKid and iTutorGroup are always looking for reliable teachers. However, it’s important to note that some sites require potential teachers to live in the U.S. or Canada.

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 skillset. For example, many indie publishing houses are on the hunt for skilled, reliable editors and typically pay per project. However, if you don’t want to work under somebody else’s umbrella, 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, so 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, consider opening your home to students. You can 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 decide to become a babysitter. This is a great, flexible job that will allow you to pick and choose when you want to work and what price you want potential clients to pay. Like pet sitting, babysitting is a very physical job that may require you to be on your feet a lot and play with children. Make sure that you have toys and games for kids to play, as well!

6. Host guests.

Do you live in a large house with extra rooms that don’t get a lot of attention? Are you in an area or region 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 playing host!

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. Whatever the case, it’s an easy, flexible way to bring in some extra cash without even having to leave your home. Ka-ching!

8. Pick up a customer support specialist job.

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many 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! All you need is a little customer service experience, at least a high diploma, and a strong work ethic. While some companies may require that you have certain equipment for the role, many others provide that for employees. 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. Consider advertising your services in a laundromat or dry-cleaning business. That’s a surefire way to catch the attention of the right clientele!

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! Set up a nice, quiet space in your room, advertise your tutoring expertise, and wait for potential clients to contact you.

11. Downsize.

A lot of us have clutter somewhere in our home. 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. You can sell a variety of items on eBay, including furniture, clothes, old equipment, and more! Or you can hold a yard sale or garage sale. While downsizing may be tiring and time-consuming, it’s a great way to make some extra money in retirement.

12. Try your hand at housesitting.

Not crazy about babies or pets? Don’t worry—you’re still not out of luck! Consider housesitting at a friend’s or neighbor’s house while they’re out of town or in the 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 maybe you should consider getting paid to take surveys. For example, 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 you do your research and make sure a survey site is reputable and safe before you enter any information. Always check and double-check! If your goal is to make money, you don’t want to lose any hard-earned cash in an online scam.

Looking for More?

If you’re looking for even more great articles like this one, then check out our Thrifty Tips for Retirees Blog!