Earning money at home
after you retire

Does earning money at home appeal? Are you looking for small home business ideas now you have retired? The pages on this site will give you lots of ideas to make money working from home.

Giving up the 9-5 routine in exchange for being your own boss and working the hours you choose is possible. After all you have picked up many skills during your working life that you can put to good use now. Or, if you fancy something different, why not learn some new ones? Its never too late to learn something new!

How can you start earning money at home?

Your skills need not only be related to your past employment. Maybe you have a hobby that could help you earn extra money from home. For example...

• Good with a hammer and nails?
• Enjoy sewing or embroidery?
• A whizz with those knitting needles?
• Have you always wanted to keep bees?
• Can you fix computers?
• Good with words or numbers?
• Enjoy restoring old photos?
• Know how to frame pictures?
• Got a good eye for a photograph?
• Can you make a shaggy dog look smart?
• Like making jams, jellies and chutneys?
• Are you a fast and accurate typist?
• Can you repair old clocks and watches?

Any of these skills, crafts or pastimes can prove profitable. And as you probably already have the tools and equipment required, you won't have to spend a lot before you get started.

Space to work

If earning money at home is your goal, then it is worth getting organized first.

Some occupations will need more space than others, of course, but all will at least need somewhere to store materials or stationery. Remember, these things have a habit of reproducing!

You will need to keep all receipts and invoices for tax purposes so a small filing cabinet may be useful. Modern day units can look attractive, you don't have to stick with industrial looking metal ones.

Depending on your choice of occupation, you might need a desk in the house, or a work bench in the garage or she, on which to work.

If clients are likely to visit your home then it is even more important to have a room or part of a room set aside to work in.

It is important to check with the relevant bodies, to ensure that you are permitted to use part of your home for business purposes. Often, as long as you don't use that room just for business purposes, you will be OK.

Your working hours

If you have been looking forward to more free time once you retire, you won't want to end up working full-time when earning money at home. Decide how many hours a week, or day, you want to work and don't be afraid to turn people down if they ask you to do extra.

It is important, however, to ensure that the hours you do spend, are used to your best advantage. It is too easy to procrastinate and say "I'll do it later." The days of burning the midnight oil to meet deadlines, should be but a faint memory during your retirement.

Try to discover when you are at your most productive, and put aside that time to be "at work". There is no point in fighting it, if you are at your best in the early mornings or last thing at night. You have earned the luxury of pleasing yourself, and working when YOU want to, not when you are told to!

Promotional literature

Now I know that sounds posh, but it needn't be.

It could be as simple as a sheaf of postcards to pop in local shop windows. Or a box of fliers to distribute round your neighbourhood which tell people about the services you offer.

You don't need to hire a graphic designer to produce these for you! If you have a computer and a printer, you will be able to design your own in any half decent desk top publishing program.

Don't try to be too clever. Something simple will work fine. If your paperwork looks too posh potential clients might be put off, thinking your prices will be too high!

Don't forget to always have a few business cards on you at all times. You don't want to miss an opportunity by not having one available, do you?

Enjoy yourself!

Always keep in mind why you are earning money at home. Is it so that you can afford a luxury vacation? Is it so that it gives you something to do? Is it to keep you active and fit? Is it to keep you out of your partners hair?

Whatever the reason, don't lose sight of it!