21 Ways to Make Extra Money in Retirement

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lakeweirliving of FL 7:20PM July 26, 2010

Went to Wal-mart to place an application just to be turned away because I can't use a computer...Applications are filled out on computer near the service department...Very degrading-for me..I am 74 and computer is not my cup..but I am very outgoing with people...Probably wouldn't work out anyway because I only want to work on my schedule...My wife is sending this !!!

Mr. Slusher of KY 3:39PM July 26, 2010

I USED to make over 1000 euros a month now I have to live on 400 euros peinsion because I worked for only 15 years. I have n0 husband, he financially ruined our savings on the the stock market and left him. He was high maintenance, smoking, drinking, gambling. So to all retierees stop smoking,drinking, gambling, and eating too much its not good for you.
and you save a lot of money . I also sold my car. Public transport is safer.

Grace of ME 11:48AM July 26, 2010

I'm approaching my one-year retirement anniversary and have thought of getting a part-time job for extra spending money and to help pay off the RV that I should have bought earlier and paid off BEFORE retiring.
I also agree that your tips for part-time employment aren't really very realistic considering the high unemployment rate, etc. Although a Walmart job may fill up the time, when one made a good salary for 20+ years, you don't really want to "give" your time away for minimum wage.
Except for the delayed purchase of my small RV, I planned pretty well except that two of my three daughters decided to get married and one to have a grandchild. After using a chunk out of my savings to pay for the first wedding, I have more time to pay for the second one so I'm paying monthly but now do not have extra cash to use that RV.
Since I already have n RV, I have decided to try a job at various federal or state parks next year. Some places offer you an hourly wage plus a free hook-up or other low-cost housing (try Aramark's website to apply) and others just offer the free hook-up which saves you the daily site fee. The National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state parks all have websites that can be searched for this type of information.
If you like children and are at home anyway, possibly you could take care of neighborhood children whose parents work or just forevenings out . If you do this low-key and only have one or two, it's usually not a violation of local or state ordinances. I know teenagers who babysit in the evenings who get at least $10 per hour for evening babysitting.

Sandy Freeman of MO 11:09AM July 26, 2010

None

L of AR 11:06AM July 26, 2010

Consignment shops don't accept clothing unless it is nearly new. When you are retired, it is better to keep what you have and "shop your own closet". Ebay is ok but the fees eat up most of what you get. Savvy buyers can buy used goods and make a profit? Unless your goal is so minimal, good luck with that, too many garage sales with everyone selling their stuff. Why would anyone pay you more? There are no part time jobs unless you want to be a walmart flunky with horrible hours. This article was probably wirtten by a young person and is ridiculous for the most part, they make it sound so easy to make extra money. The problem is, they took away our security, the banks pay nothing in interest and the rich get richer in our society. We were all asleep at the switch and trusted the politician to take care of us. Most of them are crooks, no matter the party. Only defense, live below your means as soon as you can, don't buy stuff you don't absolutely need and be content with your life as it is. And get out of the stock market if you are still in it. Not losing money (in a CD) no matter how pathetic the interest, is better than watching it disappear again. The market is a rigged game that only insiders can profit from.

beenaroundtheblock of TX 12:31PM July 23, 2010

So much of this advice (not just this article) is not about taking what God delivers to you, but taking what our American society gives to you. I was a top earner in my field and paid hundreds of thousands of dollars into social security. Here I am at 70, disabled and my benefits ran out. Does that mean I should buy an RV and the people in that community will find me interesting? Maybe interning for somebody would be a good idea. In other words, Marty, get a reality check.

John Kryten of CT 3:16PM July 22, 2010

I worked for the state and do not get full benefits. It's just plain hard to be retired. Suck it up one person said- yah, I'll suck it up but it makes me mad when everyone in this country gives more to those who come illegally than those who severd for over 30 years.

fORourke of WA 12:23PM July 22, 2010

All the advice given can prove helpful, but I ran out of things to sell, volunteered but was never offer a part-time job because every place cut back jobs. Never mind investments, 401(k)s, etc. If you never had them, you can never pull from them.
Being a senior retired person is very difficult if you have had to raise children alone, or have had medical issues over and above what Medicare paid. Now my doctor is not going to accept Mediare patients because he formed a "unique group of doctors where one pays "annual admin costs, plus annual fee" which does not cover lab work, tests, etc.
Not all seniors retired with money....some of us are just a monthly check away from homelessness and afraid we will outlive our SS check.

Merry Marge of AZ 4:58PM July 21, 2010

I did ten years fulltiming and met many fiscally stretched folks out there RVing. Not only CAN you live on less out there, but you don't need as much 'stuff' and the various on the road communities can provide wonderful advice and counsel as you're learning...and you get to travel to new places and meet hundreds of neat people who'll think you're neat, too! Who you've been or what you had, single or married, doesn't matter in the usual RV fulltimer community. Very freeing, affirming lifestyle!
The other good advice was the volunteering until you're offered pay! Show that boss you're worth every penny...!! AND pick something you love...
Sure a bunch of sour grapes on this link...I feel sorry for them...if the advice won't work for YOU, maybe it's JUST what the next reader needs...ya never know! Suck it up! AND learn to spell.

MartyMcG of WA 9:48PM July 20, 2010