Best Side Hustles for Seniors

A side hustle is the modern lingo for a part-time job. It can be something that helps you earn an extra $100 per month, replace a full-time income or anything in between. A person pursues a side hustle alongside another more stable job or after retirement to generate additional income. 

Side gigs have numerous benefits when you are a senior citizen. In addition to earning extra income, you'll benefit from time to pursue an interest or passion, connect with others or create something meaningful. 

Things to Consider When Looking for the Perfect Side Gigs for Seniors

When finding a senior side hustle, the decision-making process is similar to side hustles at any age. Consider your skills and interests along with high-paying or interesting gigs, realistic goals and legal or tax implications. Look at:

• What skills and qualifications do you have?
• What growing trends or industries are you interested in pursuing?
• How many hours per day or week do you want to dedicate to the side hustle?
• What local opportunities are available?

When you plan for retirement, you may not need an additional income stream or to look for senior side gigs. But having a little extra cash can give you more flexibility in the budget or make room for fun vacations, home renovations, college savings for grandchildren or other goals. Be sure to check out the best investments for retirees. 

Finally, consider whether you're interested in building passive income or active income. While a side hustle usually implies active income, passive income has the greatest value for most retirees' long-term planning. How do you know whether your hobby has become a side hustle? The IRS offers specific guidelines on when an activity becomes a side hustle or business versus a hobby. 

Top 5 Side Hustles for Senior Citizens

Here are five top side hustles for seniors looking to earn active income.

1. Online Teaching or Tutoring

Many online teaching and tutoring opportunities typically pay between $10 and $50-plus per hour. You can teach a subject where you have expertise or offer tutoring to younger students. There are also many well-paid positions teaching English as a second language online. 

This side hustle offers the benefit of connecting with others, but you can still do it from home. You'll gain the advantage of building your skills and watching your students progress while setting a timetable that works with other commitments. For some seniors, working out the technology and online platform for teaching can require additional time and setup. But once you learn the ropes, it's a simple way to use your skills. 

2. Rent a Space in Your House

As a retiree, you may have more space than you use. From Airbnb to other online rental services, numerous opportunities are available to make money renting a part of your home. Consider creating an apartment above the garage, renting out rooms or renting the whole house and downsizing to a smaller property. 

The benefit of this option is that it requires minimal time to set up and list your property. You'll get to meet new, interesting people who come to stay in your property and build an alternative income stream from an asset you already own. 

3. Childcare Provider

If you love working with children, another option is to offer childcare as a babysitter, nanny or set up part-time childcare in part of your home. Numerous websites are available to help you find gigs to get started. Care.com, Sittercity and Rent A Grandma are a few well-known options. Or, you could go the traditional route and spread the word among friends and family members. 

The benefit of this side hustle is you can control your hours, work with children and support families. But depending on the ages of the children, childcare can be physically challenging and a tiring side hustle option.

4. Create an Online Shop

Do you love making things? From jewelry design and art to building furniture, there is a vast array of things you can create, design or refurbish and sell online and at local shops or markets. 

The benefit of these options is that you can pursue a skill or a passion that may not have been your primary career. The challenge of side hustles where you make something to sell is building a client base to turn a passion project into an income-generating option.

5. Garden Consultant

If you love gardening, why not help others build their gardens? From garden design to maintenance plans, sharing your love of gardening can also be a profitable side hustle. Research what gardens or garden designers charge in your area and consider listing your service online, posting on local message boards and spreading the word among family and friends. You could also take this in another direction and create a backyard nursery where you grow seedlings or plants to sell at farmer's markets or local markets. 

The benefits of this side hustle are that you can offer your expertise while getting out in nature and helping others. The challenge is to build a client base and prioritize how much time you'll dedicate to this side hustle. 

Balancing Work and Leisure in Retirement With Side Gigs

As a retiree, balancing work and leisure is important. Remember to consider your other goals, activities and pursuits that bring value to your life, from time with family and friends to work in your garden, daily exercise classes, volunteering, creative pursuits and time to rest. Based on that, set boundaries and prioritize your time management. 

Consider your overall schedule, with any set weekly appointments, and then look at how much time you have to dedicate to a side hustle. Whether that's two hours per week or 20, you can plan how to build your business or new income stream. 

Finding Side Hustles for Seniors that Fit Your Lifestyle

There's no limit to what you can do as a senior. Side hustles for older adults are as unique as you are. Consider what you love to do, what the world needs and how you're qualified to fill that need, and you'll have a side hustle that helps others and offers you unique opportunities to connect with and help others. 

In addition to the ideas above, you can consider standbys like working at a local bookstore, library or school. You can consider becoming a rideshare driver or pet-sitting. You could also clean out your house and sell unwanted or unused items online if you need cash. Or, if you're looking to build asset value and create positive cash flow, you could start investing in real estate, building a rental business or consulting in any area. 

Your side hustle can be as simple or as complex as fits your lifestyle. You can have one side hustle or several for multiple income streams as they fit your lifestyle and interests. 

Frequently Asked Questions