I consider myself officially retired. After I was laid off in 2015, I found contract work for a little over a year until that job was complete, but haven’t found anything since. It’s been a year since I’ve worked. In all honesty, the thought of sitting in a cubicle gives me the shivers, so many decades doing that. But this is the first winter that I haven’t worked and I really am going stir crazy. I’m not a big volunteerer, nor do I have hobbies.
So, I’m trying to think of some jobs to just keep myself busy, be around people and have a little pocket money. I would love to do retail, but am a bit gun shy as I don’t want to work nights, weekends or holidays. A night a week or maybe a weekend a month, but that’s it. Does anyone here work retail and how firm are they on that, do you think?
FIrst of all I have to say, (whether you want to hear it or not!)…get a hobby. I have witnessed too many older people in my family who once they really stop working - even part time - they have no interests and nothing to do. Personal interests are so important later in live!
My first thought would be to think of seasonal retail. So obviously during the Christmas holiday retail hires part time and temporary. Who else would offer temporary retail? A seasonal (good weather) place???
Would a temp agency have any retail opportunities??
I’m re-reading your post. Wanting to only work one night a week or one weekend a month…in retail that is going to be VERY LITTLE pocket money. I think you’ll have a hard time finding something so limited. No nights, no weekends or holidays and only one night a week? That sounds like a volunteer position.
@conmama: You like clothes. Consider volunteering for Dress for Success. They take used professional clothes, organize them, and help women who are getting back on their feet select interview-type and professional work clothes. It might be very rewarding for you.
(I do have a part-time job that I enjoy, but it’s taken me 45 years of working full-time and under miserable conditions to finally be able to do it. It didn’t just fall in my lap.)
Take an H&R Block (or similar) tax class over the summer or fall and work doing peoples taxes early next year. You could probably specify days only, though they may ask for one weekend day at least sometimes.
Work seasonal retail for Christmas before that.
Maybe a garden center hires seasonally for the spring and summer?
@abasket , I want to work doing the weekdays. I would be willing to work one night a week, one weekend a month or so, in addition to that. I don’t know why I don’t have hobbies, I never did.
I don’t want to be sitting around all day, then go to work when my husband is home. Once a week maybe.
What about working at a restaurant as a cashier…a place that only serves breakfast and lunch.
Could you do short term work? I have found interim positions in my profession…and my threshold is working 12 weeks…and that’s it. Then a break. Part time is even better!
What about a library? Would they need a part time worker? Seldom evenings and no Sundays anyway.
I took an abc tax class when my children were young. They offered me a flexible job but for a lot of reasons I said no. I have done taxes at the senior center for free.
Some of my friends are mystery shoppers. It didn’t appeal to me. Some people like merchandising as a part time job.
I am holding out for the job of checking members in at the health club. Two free memberships. That’s $150 per month before minimum pay.
I do volunteer work at the food bank. Even in wealthy communities children can suffer from lack of quality food.
I am following closely as I just lost my part-time job. I would love one that is fun. I don’t want to work in retail (except maybe a book store). I want to work days (no evenings or weekends.) I have been fortunate to have a string of part-time work since my daughter started kindergarten back in 2001. Mostly working at non-profits (who love part-time so they don’t have to pay benefits.)
Local libraries are typically looking for part-time people on the circulation desk. They need to fill evenings and weekends (most of the libraries around here are open until 9 pm and have some limited hours on both Saturdays and Sundays).
I am bridging this time doing some volunteer work at a local historic site and I have volunteered at my local library for over 20 years. I have been rather unlikely with volunteer work in the past - I have filled out volunteer forms (usually on-line) at maybe 5-6 places, only to never be called upon to actually help (including the local dress for success where I actually got trained and then never invited to help.)
I’m the bookkeeper at a quilting/fabric store. Ten hours a week, whichever ten hours I want. I get to be around fabric and creative people and I can take classes for free.
I think volunteering at the senior center doing taxes would be a great gig for you. My neighbor does it, it’s during the winter and only a couple of days a week at most.
Our libraries are open 7 days a week and in the evenings except for weekends. But I agree to start noticing places where you go what their hours are - and if the place looks interesting to you.
I think the Dress For Success sounds like a FANTASTIC idea! Besides working with the clothes you might be a good mentor after working (I think you did?) in the business world. Look and see what is available to you in your area!
Or how about an upscale thrift/consignment shop? They might have very part time hours. You do seem to love to talk clothes! (that’s a compliment!!!)
@Wellspring , I’ve thought about bookkeeping actually. There seems to be quite a bit part time, but they all want quick book experience. I’ve never worked on that software. I’ve thought of applying to a few places and just telling them I’m a quick learner.
We do have an upscale consignment shop around the corner, I’ve thought about that. It might be worth just talking to them.
I am an accountant, but not a tax accountant. The hours I’ve put in and the crap I’ve put up with… just thought of doing THAT again gives me hives.
I actually did go to a dress for Success info meeting a few years back, but as a volunteer. I never went through training. I didn’t want to be driving downtown all the time. I know, I know…
I’m in the same boat in terms of looking for a PT job but wanting to be home with my husband in the evenings and weekends. I also want a good deal of flexibility as I wouldn’t want to be working during college breaks and such. I’ve applied for part time jobs at the university nearby and the library. I didn’t get the PT university position and never hear from the library. I’ve been looking at the local hospital but even PT positions offer benefits and my dh’s company would drop me from our great policy which I obviously don’t want. I feel fortunate that I can be picky.
You may or may not consider this fun, but I enjoyed substitute teaching before I went back to work full time. I am not a teacher, but I found that being a mom prepared me to handle a classroom for a day or two at a time. I ended up getting called constantly, and I enjoyed picking & choosing the jobs I would take. I have been thinking that I may do it again when I finally retire (I keep threatening, but it hasn’t happened yet).
Do you want a professional type job or a job that is FUN and interesting?? I know a professional job can be both but you know what I mean…do you want something that is more “entertaining”??? I think that’s an important thing to think about in retirement age. What is the goal? $$? Socialization? Learning or being stimulated?
The garden center idea is good as most of those hours are early morning.
How about getting a job at a school? You might have more hours than you want during the school year, but summers and holidays off when your husband can take time off too. If you do Americorps Senior program, you’d not make any money but could earn a grant for a child or grandchild to use for tuition.
