Do you need some extra money for travel? Or just to provide a little extra cushion for your retirement fund?

A side job could be the answer and you can start with little to no money.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the “gig economy” has been taking off, leaving a wealth of opportunities for those who need to earn a little extra money on the side.

These are some of the best side jobs for people over the age of 50. And one of them may be a perfect fit for you.

Tutoring

Put your years of experience to good use by tutoring students in your area of expertise. You could tutor science, math, or even give music lessons.

This side job comes with many perks including very little need for training and the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a young person. All you need is your own knowledge and your love of young people, and you’re good to go.

Tutors earn an average of about $25 an hour, depending on where you live. In some states, you can earn an hourly rate of as much as $55. And you get the flexibility of choosing your own hours.

To get started, check out the tutoring jobs available on sites like SimplyHired, VarsityTutors.com, Tutors.com and even Indeed.

Pet Sitting

If you enjoy spending time with fur babies, this is the perfect gig for you. Best of all, it leaves you plenty of flexibility to do other things during the day. As long as the pets in your car are fed, walked, and cared for, you are free to do what you like the rest of the time.

You also have the flexibility to choose whether you’ll take care of pets in your own home, or visit them in theirs.

To get started, check out a site like Fetch, Rover, or Care.com to compare their terms and conditions, as well as the pay rate you can expect.

If you really enjoy spending time with pets, consider offering your services as a dog walker, too.

Selling Crafts

Do you have a special gift for crafting garden decorations or crocheting baby clothes? Maybe you enjoy drawing greeting cards or making jewelry. Channel your creative passion into profit by starting your own online shop.

Another great way to sell your creations is by posting them on Etsy.

Your only time commitment (besides creating) is spending a few hours each week filling orders and shipping them out.  This gives you the opportunity to do something you love while generating some income at the same time.

Another perk is that this side job is very easy to do in company with a like-minded friend. You can hold each other accountable for keeping the business going and even split the cost for displaying your items at local fairs.

Renting Out Your Home

By now, everyone knows about the success of sites like AirBnB where you can rent a home to stay in when traveling. But AirBnB is a great place to generate some extra income, too.

You can rent out a room or a part of your home that you’re not using. Or, if you’re going away on vacation, you can rent out your entire home.

This can be a great solution if travel is a big piece of your retirement plan, but you don’t quite have the cash to pull it off.

While the prospect of renting out your home may seem daunting at first, it’s an easy way to earn some extra cash. The pay varies, but generally you can set your own rate. AirBnB, as well as its main competitor Vrbo, both offer handy calculator apps to help.

Before starting, join some Facebook groups with members who can advise you based on their own experiences.

Content Writing

If you have the creativity and skill to work as a freelance content writer, this can be an amazing source of income for you.

The demand for freelance writing continues to grow exponentially. In fact, statistics project that the majority of the global workforce will be freelancers by 2027!

Thousands of writing jobs are posted every day on platforms like FlexJobs, iWriter, Upwork and TextBroker. The only skill required is a knack for writing and for telling a good story, which you will generally have to demonstrate by writing a short sample piece.

You can earn anything from about $50 to $1500 per long-form article, but most writers charge around $250.

Ride-Share Driving

You can explore the Lyft app to find out what the requirements are to become a Lyft driver. Chances are, as long as your car is big enough and is in decent condition, you can use it to earn extra income by ridesharing.

Additionally, you’ll need a valid driver’s license, the ability to pass a criminal background check, and a clean driving record.

Once you’ve passed all these hurdles, you are free to take on customers easily through the app.

The average pay, depending on what city you live in, is about $25 per hour.

To do it, you will need your phone screen to be easily visible while driving, so consider upgrading to a tablet with a larger screen if you foresee this being a problem.

Offer Gardening Services

If you have a passion for gardening, and people compliment you about how beautiful your garden is, you may consider doing this for other people.

There are plenty of people in neighborhoods who would love to have a beautiful garden but just don’t have the time to do it, or don’t have that green thumb (that would be me).

And they are willing to pay for this service!

If this is something you would be interested in, simply list the services you offer and your contact information in a local ad.

Once you start getting customers, word of mouth will be your best form of advertising after that.

Working Events

Working at a venue that hosts special events is a great option if you don’t want to commit to regular working hours. 

Look into employment opportunities at sports and concert venues, and then pick and choose which events you want to work. 

You can also contact venues that hold weddings or celebrations and see if the Event Planner needs some help – which can also lead to more jobs.

The only skills required are good customer service and a positive attitude. You will also need to observe proper safety standards and procedures.

In the summer, you get the added opportunity of checking out local fairs which may offer some fun, short-term employment opportunities.

Your responsibilities could include anything and everything, including setting up tables, taking food and beverage orders, taking tickets, and sweeping floors.

Depending on your duties, you’re likely to earn between $12 and $14 an hour per event.

Conclusion

While wanting to keep the start-up costs low, you want to make sure that you don’t overlook certain areas. You want to make sure you follow industry regulations. For example, if you choose to become a ride-share driver, look into their regulations with regard to auto insurance and what other requirements they may have regarding your vehicle.  

With that being said, if any of these side jobs appeal to you, then you should jump right in and get started today.

Do some research in what you have to do to get started, make a checklist so you get all your ducks in a row, and start putting your information out there.

And you can start earning extra money while hopefully enjoying yourself along the way.

Have a Wonderful Day!