Hey Ladies, “Retire” Doesn’t Mean Stop Getting Paid

6869770873_1528b7037e_nRetirement isn’t always permanent. U.S. News & World Report found that 60 percent of women retiring from their full-time jobs after the age of 50 move to another job, either part-time or full-time. If you need extra income to supplement your retirement or want to keep busy, here are five ways to make money and have a little fun at the same time.

Freelance Writer

The advent of the Web has created demand for nearly constant information, and that information has to be written by someone. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that this can be a lucrative career field, with the average annual wage for writers in 2010 being $55,420. To get started, Mashable recommends building a portfolio of your work, then doing a little pro bono work to get some testimonials. Once you have this experience, start pitching ideas to potential clients or applying for online writing services and freelance writing jobs. Visit www.freelancewritinggigs.com to get a look at what’s out there. Note: A reliable Internet connection is mandatory, so look to sites like http://www.DSL.com to learn more about the best providers.

Babysitter

While this isn’t the most lucrative position—the BLS indicates that childcare workers earn an average of $9.28 per hour—it’s still income. You could market yourself on babysitter sites such as SitterCity.com, which enables families and sitters to connect. You could also post fliers at your local library, join local community message boards and network with local moms and their friends. Craigslist.com also allows you to list your services in your local community for free, but be careful to screen your clients carefully. While you don’t need certification to babysit, CPR classes look good on your credentials list, or you can opt take a babysitting course to brush up on your childcare skills.

Dog Walker

One asset you have as a retiree that your neighbors likely don’t have is time. If your neighbors own dogs, you can use that time to walk them. You’ll stay fit, meet a need for your neighbors and make between $15 and $25 an hour per dog. To get started, you don’t need any special qualifications. Just buy a good pair of shoes and some leashes, then print business cards advertising your services and hand them out in your neighborhood. You can also list your services in the classifieds or on Craigslist.com to expand your reach. Add pet sitting to what you offer, as Entrepreneur.com recommends, to gain additional income.

Sell Handmade Goodies

Crocheting baby hats, fashionable scarves and even afghans can bring in some extra income. To get started, find a unique idea that people want to buy, purchase the materials and determine what you can charge. Browse Etsy.com, one of the leading sites for selling handcrafted items, to get a good idea of how much you can charge. Etsy is an excellent place to sell handcrafted items to people outside your town; you can also peddle your wares at craft shows and bazaars in your local area.

Part-Time Retail Jobs

Working part-time in retail gives you the chance to interact with the community, earn a discount at your favorite store and make some extra money as well. The BLS indicates that retail workers earn an average of $10.09 per hour, and getting started requires nothing more than applying. Increase your chances of landing a position by choosing a store that has many positions to fill, and indicate flexibility in your schedule on the application.

Photo by Flickr user 401(K)2013