There are a couple local wedding businesses that hire people for literally day before or day of weddings to help set up tables, table settings, flowers, decor, day of stuff - basically just lots of extra hands on board. I also thought would be a good part time job (though weekends) but the pics of the helping staff is always like 20 and 30 somethings.
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part time?
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Oh sure, but what do those kids really know? 
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I am a PT marketing manager and PT copy editor who is giving notice this week on the marketing manager job. Copy editing pays very well and can be done anywhere. Hours are super flexible. I can definitely see myself doing this well long into retirement.
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Not Trader Joe’s, but dh works for our beloved grocery store chain about 10-15 hours/week. Unlike back in the day when he worked retail, they are really accommodating with his schedule. He’s never been turned down when he’s asked for time off, including a week at major holidays. And we get all kinds of perks, like last week we got 25% off all store-brand items rather than the usual 10%. So, once a quarter we stock up on meat, etc. Keeps him active and brings some money in so we haven’t had to touch the retirement accounts even though he’s been retired three years.
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I know of someone who took two part time jobs. One is front desk at a chain hotel and the other at the airport for United. They are enjoying the discounts for travel. Last time I ran into his wife she said he will quit one but hadn’t decided which one.
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My dream part time job has always been to work in a bookstore. The small independent bookstore near me was hiring recently and I was very tempted…until I realized that one of the things I like best about retirement is the flexibility to travel and do other things I enjoy without worrying about work. Because of that I am not tempted to seek part time employment.
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At son’s wedding hotel (I think a Hilton), our breakfast waitress did it a a weekend morning gig / second job. Her kids were in college, so it was good to have extra funds. But she especially liked the perk where she could stay at any of their hotels in the world for $30/night. She had recently spent 3 weeks in New Zealand.
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Two popular gigs where I live are Personal Shopper and Eldercare advisor.
Personal shopper isn’t just for the fun stuff (like picking out cocktail dresses). It’s for busy parents who need someone who can buy 15 pairs of different khaki pants to figure out which ones work for their 9 year old who can’t stand clothing tags and needs reinforced knees… and then returning the 14 that don’t work. Or outfitting their elderly mom for a family wedding weekend and finding something that doesn’t itch, isn’t too hot, packs well, looks great when photographed in a wheelchair. Times three- rehearsal dinner, wedding, family brunch the day after.
They charge a modest fee by the hour.
Eldercare advisor involves reaching out to all the local facilities (and there are lots- and more seem to sprout every month) and knowing the in’s and out’s of who takes dementia patients even if they don’t have a memory care unit, who has a waiting list, who has decent food, which ones allow an adult child to stay overnight on the sleep sofa, etc. Managing the move- hanging the pictures, throwing out ratty area rugs which are a tripping hazard, making sure the elderly person has everything for the new place- extra copies of the eyeglass prescription, phone numbers for all key contacts next to the phone, whatever needs doing for the transition.
Not quite the level of knowledge of a licensed social worker (although some do this as a second career after working in that field) but someone trustworthy who can make the family feel like the decisions are less of a %^& shoot. They can also work with the home health agencies to interview aides, coordinate contractors for building ramps or modifying bathrooms, organize a spare room so it’s appropriate for an overnight aide, throw out junk in the kitchen drawers i.e. “light organizing”. Their fees sound stiff to me, but once I realized the cost of making a mistake- putting mom in a facility which wasn’t set up for her needs, or hiring home health aides who churn because the home can’t really handle an outsider coming in to manage-- yeah, pay upfront for a neutral third party who can make the phone calls and handle the details.
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Such interesting and great ideas, here!
It seems to make sense to explore areas where one already has some interest/skill.
Ha - the ‘refurbishing a dresser’ example wouldn’t really apply to me - I’ve done it and, you are 100 % right, abasket, it takes tons of time and work and supplies, lol. My husband is quite skilled at this, though, and I’ve thought he might be able to monetize it as a side gig (no interest tho!).
My skills are more in the writing/research/editing area. Interesting to hear that there might actually be some jobs left in this area (post-AI!).
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Things like writing, researching, and editing can easily be turned into gigs by putting yourself on sites like Upwork and Fivver to take on contract work. These are usually very flexible and you take the jobs you want when you want them. Depending upon the skill and the job, they can pay by the hour or by the task.
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Not exactly sure but I think they have seasonal workers - which makes sense given tax filing season.
Apparently, if you work for the IRS, you are not supposed to disclose that information since a lot of people hate the IRS.
I’ve been told it’s a bit tedious but not high stress with some good benefits (may not be relevant for seasonal workers). I think they really need people and take older workers, those with disabilities, etc. - those with skills but may face direct/indirect discrimination in the traditional job market.
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You’re roughly in my neck of the woods. If you do this, please post! My house needs help!
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Sure will. I would appreciate the business.
If I do, it would be years away unless something drastic happens and forces to change my.cutrent situation/plans.
I worked in home remodeling doing many phases of construction when I was young. I liked the work but thankfully decided to pursue my real interests. I wouldn’t want to do big jobs but I know that most companies shy away from smaller tasks so there is certainly a market available for anyone with the talent and interest in taking those small jobs on. I’ve helped family, neighbors and coworkers in the meantime. We’ll see how I feel when that time comes.
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A part time gig I’ve dabbled in is providing seedlings and transplants. I love gardening and I have a large hoop house. For several years, in the springtime, I started mostly vegetable seedlings and grew them to the proper stage to sell. I also would pick up smaller transplants and grow them to sell as bigger offerings. I enjoyed it but it does take daily effort and travelling for real work has put a damper on that the last year or so.
I had many return customers that really appreciated my plants and I was able to offer better quality and lower prices than the big box offerings. I could certainly see myself doing this in retirement also. It’s more of a seasonal job, it can be a bit physical and it’s not going to make one a ton of money unless upscaled. I did turn a profit and it could be used to supplement income. I enjoyed interacting with so many gardeners purchasing my products. I had my kids help a bit when they were interested in earning some money. It was nice because I could pay them by the job, piecework. I was hoping they’d take more of an interest in the business and maybe take it on for themselves a bit more but that didn’t happen. It would also be a great part time job for a motivated kid. People go crazy over well grown plants. I’ve tried to sell my garden produce also but the plants were a bigger seller, more predictable.
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My dad always did this as a part time gig and after 50 years, he hung up his whistle (at age 77). He loved it.
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I’d love to figure out what I could do. H has been umping baseball for years and has started to do more of this recently. Is also adding softball to the list now! He also got a usher/event staff kind of job at a local event space - not my cup of tea. He should be all set when he does decide to retire 
My dream job would be in a library or a bookstore…
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Does your public library system have a used bookstore? if not, it’s really not that hard to get up and running. If there is underutilized space which can be closed off (since many of the bookstores operate shorter hours than the actual library) you are halfway there.
Draft an agreement which splits the revenue between the library and the bookstore staff (just to cover their wages); all the books are donated anyway and most people don’t want receipts because the value is low/hassle; have a mechanism in place for getting rid of the mildew/moldy books which need to go to your town dump for shredding- voila.
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A couple of items to contribute here. Bus drivers in our HS district get medical insurance. It can be a good job to bridge to medicare.
I would like to work at a golf course. Played my whole life.
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Most of these “used bookstores” in public libraries are run by the friends of the library or library foundation groups. Manned by volunteers with all proceeds going to the library.
However, most libraries have frequent turnover at the circulation desk and hire part-timers all the time for these jobs. They are usually a mix of younger people (still in college and looking to make some money) and older folks like us looking for a part-time job to keep busy.
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