Many of us dream of retiring so we can spend more time doing the things we love. We’ll no longer be slaves to our alarm clocks and can travel more. And then reality hits in.
How on earth are we going to afford to do all the things we want to do? It’s a question I’ve often asked myself as I’m jerked back to reality from my retirement daydream. However, all is not lost. There are some great options for flexible jobs that are perfect for boosting your retirement income.
Besides, I’m pretty sure most of us would go stir crazy if we retired full-time. After all, over the last twenty years or so, we’ve looked after the kids, run the house, often held down a job, and been the family taxi. I know for me, I love the challenge of working, what I want is to work less and at times that suit me.
15 Retiree-Friendly Jobs That Boost Your Income Fast
Become a Mystery Shopper
When my mom retired, she became a mystery shopper for KFC, which was such a fun thing to do. Not only did she get paid, but she also received free food. She had flexible hours and committed to as many hours as she wanted. They paid her petrol, and the money was good too.
But KFC is just one of many options. There are so many businesses that have mystery shopper-style opportunities. It’s the only way they truly get to see what their customers see and understand where there is room for improvement. It’s a great way to supplement your income, and there are usually freebie perks, too.
Be a Personal Chef
I realize this sounds incredibly posh, but it doesn’t have to be. Being a personal chef isn’t all about gourmet cooking. You don’t need to be a cordon bleu chef to make it work. Many people are looking for an experience of some description, and that could be anything from classic British pub grub to Japanese finger food.
If you’ve ever had people tell you how good certain meals are that you cook, you might be able to turn that into something more. Being a personal chef is an ideal way to bring in some extra money without committing to big hours.
Offer Dog Walking Services
This one appeals to me as I love dogs and have a border collie myself. I’ve noticed this has become really popular as more people work than ever before and don’t have time to walk their pets during working hours.
Having someone available who can walk them regularly or even look after them when someone is on holiday is a service you can get paid for. Again, you only take on as many dogs as you feel work for you and fit into your daily schedule.
Tutor Online or In Person
This is a popular option, especially since the popularity of Zoom has skyrocketed over the last couple of years, following the COVID pandemic. Think about the job you’ve recently retired from, could you turn that into something more valuable that people would pay to learn about?
Do you have a hobby you could teach online? Have you ever had friends or family ask for your help to do something that would make the perfect topic for teaching online?
It’s not till you start to think about all the things you know and the experience you’ve gained over the years that you realize your knowledge is a goldmine, one that could pay quite well.
Become a Housekeeper
Before you start thinking of Mrs Hughes from Downton Abbey with her keys and black dress, I’m thinking more modern day than that. Many women now have busy careers and work long hours, and don’t have the time to run the house in the same way as our parents did. That’s where a housekeeper comes in.
Often, it’s not every day or long hours, just ad hoc times to keep the house running smoothly. It can include cooking, cleaning, shopping, meal prep, and a variety of other things that most of us can turn our hand to easily. It’s a job that has come back into fashion over the last decade or so.
Focus or Research Groups
Years ago, I worked for a recruitment agency that specialized in placing people in market research roles. It was fascinating as there are different types of research, qualitative and quantitative. The research conducted involves ordinary people, like you and me, and they are compensated for their time.
Sometimes it’s just a one-on-one conversation, where you share your opinion about a product or service. Other times, you’ll be part of a small group discussing something like new packaging or what you think about a TV ad. There’s usually a moderator guiding the chat, and the best part is that there are no right or wrong answers. They just want your thoughts.
Sessions might run for an hour or two, either online or in person, and you’re always told upfront what to expect. Payment can be anything from a gift card to cash, and sometimes you even get to keep the product you’re reviewing. I’ve known people who’ve done these regularly and made a few hundred extra each month without much effort.
If you’re someone who has opinions and doesn’t mind sharing them, this can be a great side gig. It’s low stress, flexible, and actually quite fun. You never know what you’ll be asked about next.
Earn Money Working For Amazon
There are loads of flexible, remote roles you can do from home with Amazon. Some people make money by reviewing products, while others get paid for helping with customer service or data entry.
There’s also something called Amazon Mechanical Turk, which sounds way more high-tech than it actually is. It’s basically a platform where you do small, simple tasks like answering surveys, checking data, or categorizing images. Each task pays a little, but they add up over time. Perfect if you want something low-pressure that you can dip in and out of when it suits you.
And if you love shopping (or have a knack for finding good deals), there’s Amazon FBA, Fulfillment by Amazon. That’s where you buy products at a discount and sell them through Amazon’s platform. They handle the storage and shipping. It takes a bit of learning, but some people turn it into a steady income stream.
Sell Cakes for All Occasions
One of my next-door neighbors when I was a kid did this. She made all sorts of cakes from wedding cakes to christening cakes, and her icing was unbelievable. She loved doing it, and I used to help her make the cakes when I finished school, and she’d pay me the grand sum of 50 pence. She didn’t do huge amounts but usually had a couple of cakes on the go at any one time, and she said it helped top up her pension.
Start Your Own Blog
Obviously, I have a lot of experience with this topic, as I have three blogs of my own and make a full-time living from it. However, you don’t need to do it full-time; it can easily be a part-time gig that you do when and as you want. It’s perfect if you want to travel, as you can then have a travel blog to share your experiences.
How do you get paid? Well, there are several ways, but the most popular is having ads on your blog. You usually have to hit a certain number of visitors per month, and the advertisers pay you for the time spent on your site when their ads are showing.
Another one is affiliate marketing. This is where you recommend a product or service and get a commission if someone books or buys.
Become A Local Guide
If you live somewhere tourists enjoy, you might be onto a winner. You’re likely to know the hidden corners, the best coffee spots, the shortcut the locals use, and the story behind the old building on the corner that no one else seems to notice.
That knowledge is gold.
People love to connect with locals when they travel. They want to see a place through your eyes, not just follow the tourist trail. Whether it’s a walking tour, a food tasting, a photography walk, or just a few hours showing them around a market, there’s a real appetite for these more personal, down-to-earth experiences.
You don’t need to be a history expert or have a license. You simply need to be friendly, reliable, and willing to share your knowledge. There are websites where you can list your experience, or you can simply promote it through your blog and social media.
If you live somewhere with a bit of foot traffic, or you’re often out and about anyway, becoming a local guide could be a brilliant way to meet new people, stay active, and make some extra money doing what you already love.
Sell Your Professional Services Online
If you’ve had a long career, chances are you’ve built up a stack of skills that are still very much in demand. Just because you’re ready to slow down doesn’t mean all that experience suddenly disappears. In fact, it might be exactly what someone else is looking for.
You could offer services like editing, bookkeeping, coaching, design, social media help, or anything else you’ve got a solid background in. These days, you don’t need an office or a business card—just a good profile on the right platform and a clear idea of what you’re offering.
Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and LinkedIn are full of people hiring freelancers for short-term or flexible projects. The best part is you get to pick and choose what you want to work on, and how often.
It’s a great option if you enjoy working with clients but want to skip the 9-to-5 grind.
Invest in a Food Truck
I know two people who have done this recently. One does afternoon teas and the other does fish and chips. Both are in great demand, although the tea van only does it part-time in the warmer months. They specialize in the classic British cream tea, and they go down a storm here in France. But I think they’d work anywhere, as it’s different from your usual food truck.
The key is finding your niche. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Just something people enjoy and can’t easily find elsewhere. Maybe it’s toasties, pies, crepes, or homemade soups in winter. If you’re known for a killer curry or a bake that always gets recipe requests, that could be your starting point.
Food trucks give you the freedom to work when and where it suits you. Markets, festivals, weddings, or even regular pitches in busy spots. You don’t need a huge menu or a team of staff. Just a setup that’s manageable and a bit of personality to go with it.
Of course, there’s a bit of an upfront cost to get going. But if you’re not ready for full-blown retirement and love the idea of doing something sociable and hands-on, this could be a great way to mix work with fun.
Become a House Sitter
This one’s perfect if you love travel but want to keep the costs down or just fancy a change of scenery from time to time. House sitting usually involves looking after someone’s home while they’re away, and often their pets too. In return, you get free accommodation—and sometimes, you’re paid as well.
I know someone who spent a summer hopping around Europe this way. She looked after everything from beachside villas to countryside cottages and didn’t pay a cent for accommodation. Her only job was to water a few plants and cuddle the dog each day.
Some house sits are short, some are longer, and they’re not all abroad. You can find opportunities locally or in places you’ve always wanted to explore. It’s a brilliant way to live like a local, without needing to book a hotel or Airbnb.
If you’re semi-retired or just in a phase where you want a bit more freedom, house sitting could tick all the boxes. It’s simple, flexible, and full of potential for new experiences.
Sell Your Arts & Crafts
If you’re someone who always has a project on the go, whether it’s knitting, painting, pottery, or making candles, this could be more than just a hobby. There’s a real appetite for handmade, personal items, and people love knowing the story behind what they’re buying.
I know someone who started making beaded bracelets during lockdown and now sells them through her Instagram page and at local markets. She never saw herself as particularly “crafty,” but she gave it a go, and it took off.
You can start small. Open an Etsy shop, set up a stall at a weekend market, or sell through your own blog or social media. You don’t need a full collection or a business plan. Just a few pieces and a willingness to put them out into the world.
If creating brings you joy, this could be a lovely way to make a bit of money on the side while doing something that feels meaningful.
Become an Interior Decorator
This one’s ideal if you’ve got a good eye and love pulling a room together, even if you’ve never done it professionally. You don’t need a design degree to help someone choose paint colors, rearrange their living room, or turn a tired space into something that actually feels like home.
Maybe you’ve renovated your entire house over the years just following your gut, Pinterest, and way too many paint samples. Perhaps friends keep asking for advice, and you’ve been doing this anyway for free.
You can start small by offering to help friends or local clients with room makeovers, mood boards, or furniture sourcing. Lots of people know what they like, but they don’t know how to make it all work together. That’s where you come in.
It’s flexible, creative, and something you can grow at your own pace. If you’ve already transformed your own home, you’ve done the best kind of training, real-life experience that other people will happily pay for.