retirement jobs

kjofkw
Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:07:16 +0000

There have been many prior posts on visions of retirement, or places to retire, so I don’t want to repeat the same information. I’m looking more for specific employment alternatives for seniors, (but prior to age 65). Currently ANY job alternatives might be scarce, but assume the economy was working.

As empty nesters, dh and I are becoming restless. Neither of us envision a time without work, primarily because we don’t golf I’m sure I could find other things to fill the time, including travel, volunteer activities, and classes, but a more flexible, even seasonal work schedule would be ideal. Unfortunately both our jobs are currently hard hit by the economy, and seasonal work is unlikely in our fields. So, if we want something more seasonal, we’d have to seek alternatives that require little experience other than maturity and life skills. Reduced income is okay, but there is also the problem of health insurance.

One idea I once favored, was to spend part of every year working in National Parks. I read of a retired couple who would work part time, and live at a National Park during their peak periods. I"ve heard of similar summer programs for college students, but could never find anything for retirees.

Another idea was to house-sit 6 months of the year in various locations. It would solve our wanderlust problem, while offering a place to live free of charge. However, it still requires maintaining some type of homestead location. Plus, how does one find these opportunities?

We’re also asking if we really need our house. It is the “average” American house size (about 2200 SF), palatial by world standards, but large for just two of us. Some say we’ll probably need it for an ever increasing family (if we are so lucky). That seems silly, if they only visit several times a year. I’d rather spend the saved money and apply it toward a mutual fun location (cabin in the woods, villa near the ocean, etc.), but at least for now, the children seem to want to come “home”.

Ideas?