Ways to make extra money
in your retirement

Some of the easiest ways to make extra money involve selling your time.

Dog walking - Pet Sitting Business - Gardening - Newspaper deliveries
Delivering leaflets - Avon rep - Party plan - Sewing and alterations
Ironing service - Cooking

I know, you have done this throughout your working life, and now you are retired I am asking you to do it again! However, the difference here is that you now have time on your hands, and perhaps would like to use a few of them doing something useful, while making money working from home.

This site contains many ideas to make money online, but this section will cover things you can do offline.

You might think starting a business at this stage of your life is too much trouble. But we are not talking about creating an empire, just something part time to bring in some extra income.

Your choice will depend on your mobility, of course. But whether you enjoy the outdoor life or prefer to stay in at home the following options may be of interest...

Dog walking business

Double benefits here! By setting up a dog walking business you will not only earn some extra money but also keep fit.

There are many people who can't, for some reason, give their pets the exercise they need. Perhaps they are out at work all day, or can't get around easily. But the dogs still need walking. If you love animals and enjoy being outside this could be an ideal business opportunity for you.

Pet sitting business

Do you like animals? Why not look after them while their owners are away? Read Nina's story of setting up a successful pet sitting business.

Gardening

If you enjoy pottering around in the garden, but don't have one of your own any more, this could be just the right solution for you. Keeping a garden neat and tidy takes time, something the younger generation may not have much of.

They might just need the lawn mowed each week or the hedge trimmed regularly, profitable gardening jobs you could fit in and around your day to day activities.

Early to rise?

If you are up with the lark every morning you could earn some money before anyone else is up and about!

Newsagents always need paper 'boys' and girls. You will be surprised at how much they are prepared to pay these days - a lot more than the half a crown I got as a kid - and it's good, healthy exercise.

Delivering leaflets

On a similar theme, consider selling your time by delivering leaflets - easy because you just put one in every letterbox - no addresses to remember - or Freebie newspapers which are often delivered later in the day.

Talk to your newsagent or local postmaster and look at the local paper's classifieds, because there may also be opportunities to deliver directories and suchlike. You will be surprised just how keen they are to get help - perhaps a reflection on modern youth!

Selling door to door

Can you earn extra income by delivering catalogs and then going back to ask for orders? There are a number of companies who operate in this manner, such as Avon or Kleeneze.

If you live in a town or city, becoming an Avon representative, for example, could work well for you. It is not such an attractive proposition if you are live in a rural community and don't have your own transport.

Home Party Plans

Instead of just dropping of a catalog why not get a group of people together and demonstrate a company's products at home party plans? If you enjoy having an active social life, and meeting and interacting with new people, this could be one of the ways to make extra money that appeals to you.

Make do and mend

The recession can mean that people cannot afford to buy as many new clothes as they used to. The wartime make do and mend skills are in demand. If you can turn up a hem or do zipper repair then you could have plenty of customers needing your services.

Other people's ironing

Ironing is one of those jobs that you either love or hate. If you enjoy it, why not make some money by ironing for profit? It is one of the few ways to make extra money that you can do while watching daytime TV.

Enjoy baking?

In our village, you haven't lived if you haven't tasted one of Mrs Slough's Christmas cakes! Villagers put in their orders earlier and earlier each year to ensure that one can grace their festive table. If you enjoy cooking, and miss having a family to cook for, why not cook for other people?

You could start small, like Mrs Slough, and make some extra money for the holidays, or offer to bake and decorate birthday cakes all year round.

If you have experience of catering for special diets, such as gluten free cooking then you could find there is a need locally for someone who understands the issues surrounding them and who can cook safe, appetising dishes.