The moment you hit the age of retirement, it feels like you’re entering a new world. You start to see things a little bit differently. At first, you relish the fact that you don’t have to wake up really early to prepare to go to work. You celebrate the lack of a 9 to 5 work schedule, and you also enjoy the fact that you have a lot of free time.
Pretty soon, you’ll start to feel sad that you’re not doing anything. Retiring lacks something that working day in and day out has — a sense of purpose and direction. Plus, the lack of financial security can have you feeling stressed and anxious.
But that doesn’t always have to be the case. Here are a few things that you can do in your retirement that will not only make you feel purposeful but also get a chance to still stay financially independent.
#1 Offer your wisdom
Even though you have already retired and may no longer be qualified to work for a company as an employee, you can still earn money by sharing the accumulated knowledge you have gained through the years. Start a consulting business to take advantage of all your years of working experience.
Whether it’s in public relations, accounting, advertising or human resources, working as a consultant for business gives you the freedom and flexibility you need to still enjoy your retirement while earning you some much-needed coin.
#2 Take up a new hobby
Wondering what to do in retirement? You could try taking up a new hobby! Learning something new keeps your brain stimulated, which can prevent the onset of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. While you could consider quilting or collecting bottle caps as a new hobby, there are a lot of other hobbies that can make money.
If you love cooking, you can turn it into a profitable venture by opening up a catering business. Or if you want to take up woodworking, you could try creating furniture that you can sell online or at the local farmer’s market.
#3 See the world
Retirement frees up so much of your time that you barely have enough to do so while the time away. So why not while it away in more picturesque locations? Just because you’re of a certain age doesn’t mean you can’t travel around the world and explore different cultures.
And since traveling is such a big thing among internet users, you can also try starting a travel blog to document your adventures. A lot of travel bloggers make money off of sharing their adventures online. Some of them even get paid partnerships with businesses associated with the travel industry. So cash in on that particular niche and get paid while you see the world.
#4 Do volunteer work
During your retirement period, you can use that time to give back to your community. Look for causes that you identify with and use your free time to volunteer for them. You can get in touch with your local church or non-profit organizations that are willing to take volunteers.
While most volunteer work usually does not pay you for your time spent volunteering, a lot of them do offer money to help cover the expenses you incur while volunteering. You can try hooking up with the Peace Corps or Habitat for Humanity and give back in your golden years.
Are you retired and looking to earn extra money in your spare time?
