Retirement does not mean you stop being useful. Many retired people have exactly what younger people lack most: time, patience and experience. And a little extra money always comes in handy – for medicine, gifts for the grandchildren or simply a calmer month.
In this article you will find easy ways to earn extra money right in your neighborhood, without commuting and without advanced computer skills. You will also find questions to check before you start, and advice on how to avoid scammers who deliberately target older people.
What you can do nearby
Looking after children
Young families often do not have grandparents nearby. Picking a child up from preschool, looking after them in the afternoon until the parents get home from work, or one evening a week so the parents can go out – this kind of help is very valuable to parents. Parents will naturally want to get to know you first, so expect a meeting in advance.
Walking and feeding pets
A morning and evening walk with a dog, feeding a cat while a neighbor is away, caring for pets over the holidays. Moving around in the fresh air is a bonus. Only take on dogs you can handle – a large, strong dog on a lead is not for everyone.
Tutoring and homework help
If you have years at school behind you, have worked with numbers or speak a foreign language, your knowledge is valuable. It does not have to be exam preparation. Many parents look for someone to calmly go through homework with their child, practice reading or times tables.
Small repairs
Replacing a seal, adjusting a door, putting up a shelf, fixing a bike. A small thing for a handy person, a problem for many households. But leave anything involving electrical wiring and gas to licensed professionals.
Sewing and clothing alterations
Shortening trousers, replacing a zip, sewing on buttons, taking in a dress. People look for someone close by, just across the street. A sewing machine and a table by the window are all you need.
Garden and plants
Mowing, trimming hedges, weeding, picking fruit, watering plants while someone is away. It can be done seasonally and at your own pace.
Accompanying people and small favors
Going with someone to the doctor, to an office or shopping, reading and explaining a letter, keeping a lonely neighbor company. This kind of help is often sought by adult children who live far from their parents.
Baking and cooking
Homemade cakes for a celebration, holiday baking, lunch for a neighbor. If you want to sell food regularly, check the rules for selling food with the relevant office in advance.
Which activity suits you
| Activity | Physical demand | What you need | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| looking after children | medium | patience, reliability | agree on fixed days and times |
| dog walking | medium | willingness to go out in any weather | start with one calm dog |
| feeding a cat, watering plants | low | reliability | write down the visit dates |
| tutoring, homework help | low | knowledge, patience | a first lesson to get to know each other |
| small repairs | medium | tools, skill | do not climb high ladders |
| sewing and alterations | low | sewing machine | agree on a pick-up date |
| garden | higher | good health, tools | spread the work over several days |
| accompanying people | low | time, empathy | agree on exactly what help is needed |
Think about your own health too. Better fewer jobs you enjoy than many that leave your back aching for a week.
How to start
- Choose one or two activities you enjoy and can manage without strain.
- Tell the people around you – neighbors, people you know from clubs and associations, your children and grandchildren. The best customers are the ones who already know you.
- Put up a short notice on the notice board in your building or in a shop, if the manager allows it.
- Agree in advance on the time, the scope of the work and the price.
How to set your price
- Ask what others nearby charge for similar help, or look at notices and ads.
- Count the time for travel and preparation, not just the work itself.
- Have materials, such as a zip or a seal, paid for separately, or let the customer buy them.
- For regular help, such as walking a dog every day, it is worth agreeing on a weekly or monthly price.
- Always state the price in advance to avoid misunderstandings.
Sample notice for a notice board
"Hello, my name is [name] and I live on [street]. In retirement I have more time and I offer help in the neighborhood: I can look after children or a pet, go through maths homework with children, or alter clothes. Call [number], ideally in the afternoon."
Do not put your exact address in the notice, or who you live with or when you are not at home. Your name, street or part of town and phone number are enough.
What to check before your first job
The rules for working while receiving a pension vary by country and often also by the type of pension. A pension paid before the usual retirement age or for health reasons may come with different conditions from a regular old-age pension. So before you start, ask the institution that pays your pension:
- Can I work while receiving my pension? Is there a limit on income or hours?
- Do I need to report the work or the income? By when and how?
- Does it matter whether it is employment, a short-term contract, occasional help or self-employment?
- Could my pension increase later because of the work? What do I need to apply for?
- Will the income affect any other benefits or allowances I receive?
Questions about taxes and contributions belong with the tax office or an accountant: whether the income needs to be declared, whether you have to pay contributions and from what point casual help counts as a business. Write the answers down along with the date. Do not sign anything until things are clear.
How to protect yourself from scams
Scammers know that older people tend to be trusting and willing to help. When looking for extra income, watch out especially for these situations:
- Someone wants money from you upfront – for registration, packing materials or training. You do not pay for a genuine job; you get paid for the work.
- An offer of work from home with a high reward for a simple task. It is almost always a scam.
- Someone wants your payment card details, PIN or online banking login. Never give these details to anyone, not even to "the bank" or "the police" over the phone.
- Someone wants to send money onwards through your account. You could get caught up in a crime this way.
- A stranger pushes you to decide quickly. Take your time and talk to family or friends.
At the first meeting with a new family or customer:
- tell someone close to you where you are going and when you will be back,
- if possible, arrange the first meeting in a public place or with someone you know present,
- get paid only after the work is done, and in instalments for longer arrangements,
- if you do not feel comfortable, you can say no at any time.
Help that is close by
People around you are often looking for exactly what you can offer – they just do not know about each other. At QuickCashSpace we are preparing a service that we think you will like. Sign up for news – the form is right below this article – and we will let you know when it launches.