Low-Stress Side Hustles for Soon-to-Be Retirees You Can Start Now
Retirement is meant to be an exciting chapter in life full of rest, relaxation and enjoyment — not a time to worry about your finances.
However, not all retirees can afford to stop working when they’d like if they don’t have a sufficient nest egg. B whether it’s about staying busy, making ends meet or easing into a new lifestyle, finding ways to earn extra money before retirement through a fun side gig can be a smart way to transition to your golden years that can also pad your income.
This guide offers practical and relatively low-stress side gigs for soon-to-be retirees.
Why Consider a Side Hustle Before Retirement?
Taking on a side hustle before retirement isn’t just about easing into a reduced income, paying down debt or upping your savings. It’s also about creating flexibility and peace of mind. In addition to giving yourself a financial boost, side hustles can help you stay mentally engaged, learn new skills and provide social connection outside your 9-to-5 job. Whether you’re pet sitting or selling products online, even modest income from a side gig can have a positive impact on financial security and overall well-being in retirement.
What Makes a Good Side Hustle for Busy Soon-to-Be Retirees?
If you still have some years to go before you can call it quits at your 9-to-5, the best side hustle is the one that fits your schedule and can accommodate your busy life. Look for side gigs that offer flexibility in both hours and location, so you can ease into extra work without experiencing burnout. A low learning curve is also key; an ideal side hustle shouldn’t require weeks of training, costly certifications or fees to get started. Additionally, it’s smart to steer clear of side jobs that might cause you stress or require a long-term commitment. The goal should be to earn extra cash when it works for you to build up your nest egg — then pause or scale back when needed.
6 Low-Stress Side Hustles You Can Start Today
1. Online Surveys: Quick Cash in Your Spare Time
Online surveys can be a great side gig option because they’re typically quick and easy to do between other daily tasks or after you get home from the office. You can get started by signing up for platforms like InboxDollars or Branded Surveys. It’s possible to earn up to $225 per month on InboxDollars and up to $140 per month on Branded Surveys.
2. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking: Flexible and Therapeutic
Pet sitting or dog walking can be a fun and therapeutic side hustle for those who love animals or who may already be pet parents themselves. If pets bring you a lot of joy, why not spend time with other people’s pets at night or on the weekends and make money at the same time?
By signing up for apps like Rover or Wag, you’ll be connected to locals looking for pet care and sitting services. Some people on Reddit say it’s very possible to earn $100 to $200 per week on the side as a pet sitter/dog walker (depending on how often you’re available, where you’re located and how much of your free time you’re willing to commit).
3. Rideshare Driver: Make Your Own Schedule
Signing up to be a rideshare driver on platforms like Uber and Lyft offers an easy way to make money using your car. If you like driving and don’t mind shuttling people around from point A to point B, this is a flexible side hustle you can switch on or off whenever you want. Depending on where you live and how often you make yourself available to drive, it’s possible to earn around $25 per hour as a part-time rideshare driver. However, if you live near an area where there may be a lot of rideshare requests, such as a major airport, arena or urban city center, odds are you might be able to earn more than that.
4. Teaching or Tutoring Online: Pass on Knowledge
If you like to teach (or perhaps, you’re already a full-time teacher), you could start tutoring on the side. You can sign up on platforms like VIPKid (which focuses specifically on English tutoring) and Wyzant to get connected with those seeking a tutor and make some extra cash in your free time. VIPKid highlights that you can earn between $14 to $22 per hour tutoring English from home, while tutors of various subjects on Wyzant earn an average of $26.85 per hour.
5. User Testing: Get Paid to Give Feedback on Websites
User testing platforms like KashKick and FreeCash offer simple UX testing tasks, such as surveys, downloading and playing games or signing up to test apps from new companies. This is a highly flexible side hustle since you can do these tasks on your own time from your desktop, smartphone or tablet, all from the comfort of your home. Also, it’s possible to earn up to $1,000 per month on each platform, depending on your level of commitment.
6. Games: Have Fun While You Earn
If you like to sit around and play games on your phone, there’s good news — you can actually win money doing this. If you download and start playing Solitaire Cash and Bingo Cash, you could potentially up to $83 per win. Not only can you put extra cash in your pocket, but you can relax and have fun while you’re at it.
Tips for Balancing a Side Hustle With a Full-Time Job
Adding a side hustle to your busy schedule doesn’t (and shouldn’t) feel like taking on a second job. The key is to be intentional with your free time. A great way to start is to carve out just 1-2 hours a few times a week for a new side hustle. This should be enough time to get started without feeling too overwhelmed or getting burned out.
Focus on side gigs that fit into your existing schedule, perhaps only on the weekends or seasonally, and those that complement your hobbies, such as dog sitting. Above all, be sure to frequently check in with yourself. If a side hustle is causing you stress or taking over all of your free time, it might be time to change it up or switch to something else.
How to Avoid Scams When Exploring Side Hustles
The promise of quick cash can seem tempting, but the reality is not every side hustle is actually legit. Be on the lookout for red flags like upfront fees, vague or unclear job descriptions, sales tactics that seem to pressure you or promises of a really high income. It’s best to stick to trusted platforms like Rover, InboxDollars or KaskKick where you can find user reviews and a higher level of transparency. It’s also important to create a separate email address for gig work to keep everything organized and to maintain clear earning records for tax time.
Preparing for a Smoother Retirement Transition
If you’re nearing retirement, testing out a side hustle or two can be a smart and fulfilling move. Even if it’s just $50 per week or a couple of hundred bucks a month, it can go a long way to help pad your retirement funds over time. By finding and starting a side hustle that you enjoy before leaving your full-time job, you can build up confidence as well as establish healthy savings habits. Consider choosing one of the side hustles listed in this roundup to try this month and get started on your entrepreneurial journey today.
Adam Palasciano is a personal finance-obsessed and money-savvy individual who loves to create content on all things saving and making money. His work also appears on GoBankingRates, Investopedia, FinanceBuzz and The Smart Wallet.
