Essential Tools and Applications for Your Retirement Side Business: A Guide to What You Should Have
Retirees Embrace the Side Hustle: A Guide to Finding Your Perfect Match
In the ever-evolving world of work, retirees are joining the ranks of the gig economy, seeking purpose and financial security through side hustles. According to a 2024 survey from ResumeBuilder.com, approximately 13% of retirees aged 65 to 85 are planning to return to work this year, with 4% stating they are "very likely" to do so, and 9% indicating they are "somewhat likely."
This trend, known as "unretiring," is on the rise, and retirees are finding a wealth of opportunities to tap into their passions and expertise. Here's a roundup of the most popular tools and apps for retirees starting a side hustle.
Freelancing and Gig Economy Opportunities
For those looking to offer their expertise and find clients seeking specific skill sets, platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer are invaluable resources. These sites are free to join, but Upwork charges a 10% service fee per project, while Fiverr takes 20% per gig, and Freelancer takes 10% of your total earnings.
TaskRabbit is another platform that allows users to offer various services, including handyman tasks, assembly, and cleaning. Taskers on TaskRabbit pay a $25 registration fee and earn an average of $47 per hour.
For pet care enthusiasts, Rover and Wag offer pet sitting and dog walking opportunities. It's free to sign up on Rover and Wag, but Rover takes a 20% commission, and Wag takes 40%.
Online Sales and Handmade Crafts
For those looking to sell handmade crafts or products online, Etsy and Shopify are popular choices. Etsy charges $0.20 per listing and a 6.5% transaction fee, while Shopify's basic plan starts at $29/month.
Delivery and Rideshare Services
For retirees interested in delivery or rideshare services, apps such as DoorDash, Instacart, Uber, Lyft, and Uber Eats are excellent options. Uber Eats pays out $3-$15 per delivery, DoorDash pays between $2 to $10+ per delivery, and Instacart charges no fees.
AI Tools for Marketing and Customer Communication
AI tools like ChatGPT are becoming increasingly popular among retirees. These tools can assist with marketing, writing product listings, creating business cards, and generating promotional content to boost their side businesses.
Tutoring Platforms
For retirees with a passion for education, Wyzant and Italki are platforms for online tutoring. Wyzant takes 25% of your first $3,000 earned annually, then 20%. Italki takes 15% per lesson. Both platforms are free to join.
Staying Safe and Building Trust
When starting a side hustle, it's essential to prioritize safety and trust. Stick to reputable platforms and never share personal financial details with unverified clients. Highlight your decades of expertise in your profiles or marketing to build trust with clients.
Organizing Your Side Hustle
To manage your day and organize your side hustle, consider using a digital to-do list like Todoist. This tool offers three pricing tiers: the Beginner plan is free, the Pro plan is $4 per month, and the Business plan is $6 per month (billed annually).
In conclusion, the focus for retirees is on simple, user-friendly apps that assist with organization, freelancing, sales, pet care, and gig economy opportunities, many enhanced by AI for marketing and customer communication. Using a small number of reliable tools helps avoid overwhelm and security risks often encountered by seniors with technology. So, grab your laptop, pick a platform, and start building your unretirement adventure today.
- Retirees are joining the ranks of the gig economy for purpose and financial security, with 4% planning to return to work this year and 9% considering it.
- Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer are valuable resources for freelancers seeking clients with specific skill sets, despite service fees.
- TaskRabbit allows users to offer various services and earn an average of $47 per hour, but with a $25 registration fee.
- For pet care enthusiasts, Rover and Wag offer pet sitting and dog walking opportunities, with Rover taking a 20% commission and Wag taking 40%.
- Etsy and Shopify are popular choices for selling handmade crafts or products online, with Etsy charging listing and transaction fees and Shopify starting at $29/month.
- Uber Eats, DoorDash, Instacart, Uber, and Lyft are excellent options for delivery or rideshare services. Uber Eats pays out $3-$15 per delivery, DoorDash pays between $2 to $10+, and Instacart charges no fees.
- AI tools like ChatGPT can assist with marketing, writing product listings, creating business cards, and generating promotional content to boost a side business.
- Wyzant and Italki are platforms for online tutoring, taking a varying percentage of earnings but free to join.
- When starting a side hustle, it's essential to prioritize safety and trust by sticking to reputable platforms and never sharing personal financial details with unverified clients.
- To manage a side hustle, consider using Todoist, offering three pricing tiers and assistance with organizing your day.
