7 Retirement Side Gigs Baby Boomers are Choosing

For an increasing number of Baby Boomers, “retirement” includes having a side gig that helps with everything from paying the bills to buying the margaritas at the beach to simply staying engaged and occupied. LivingBetter50 recently identified seven easy side gigs — most flexible and online — that can help the retirement bottom line.

“If I retired tomorrow, I’d still work,” says Dan Prescher, senior editor with International Living. “I enjoy my work, and I can do it from anywhere there is an internet connection, so why would I stop?” There are hundreds of such work options available to Baby Boomers no matter where they want to spend their retirement — and even if retiring isn’t what they want to do. And many of them can be done from a hammock on the beach or an internet cafe in Europe or Asia. Or, if you prefer, right there at home. They’re great ways to fund a travel-filled life.

Here are seven of the most convenient and available side gigs for retirees, but there are dozens of such opportunities.

1. Sell Your Photos

With the widespread availability of low-cost, high-grade digital cameras, photography has become a way to earn an income that’s within the grasp of people who don’t want to make a significant financial investment, or who don’t have a specialized qualification or background.

Stock photography websites are huge repositories of photographs, covering almost every possible subject. Photographers from around the world simply upload their images to any one of a number of these huge databases, allowing magazine editors, designers, or practically any organization with a website to buy them.

The beauty of stock websites for photographers is that once they’ve uploaded a photograph, it can be sold any number of times, to different people, meaning that it can continue to make money in the background, again and again, without any more effort.

2. Rent Your Space on Airbnb

Airbnb is a website that allows people to monetize a spare room or whole apartment or house, advertising it to travelers from around the world. But it can be more than just a much-needed extra income boost. It can also be a great way to meet people from all over the world.

Running an Airbnb means low upfront costs, and it’s easy to operate and maintain. But it’s important to have a location that offers some direct benefit to the visitor. It should be close to public transport, historical sites, or offer a great view. There is also the option to rent out the whole place or to live in it and rent out rooms. Being a live-in host can be a full-time job, but it’s up to you how often you host guests.

3. Blogging

Blogging is likely the best-fit income opportunity for anyone who loves to travel. From foodies to culture fans to traveling with children — or solo — travel adventure is the perfect fodder for a money-making blog.

It doesn’t require being an Ernest Hemmingway or J.K. Rowling. There are plenty of people who enjoy sharing experiences—good, bad, funny, inspirational, or practical—if it’s real life, anything goes.

And it’s easy to get started. A laptop, an internet connection, and something passionate to talk about. But specific topics from a unique perspective are best. It may be luxury travel or budget travel, a specific location, specific activities like hiking or shopping. The more specific, the easier it’ll be to attract an engaged audience and to earn money from a blog.

4. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a method of retail where the seller doesn’t actually have a physical inventory of the items they sell. Instead, when a customer makes an order, the drop shipper purchases the item from a third party and ships it directly to the customer.

This means no overhead for products or inventory. Dropshipping eliminates some of the biggest expenses and hassles of doing business online. And it makes getting started in e-commerce possible with a much lower investment. This method can work in conjunction with a personal e-commerce website as well as online selling platforms like eBay or Amazon.

5. Life Coach

Life coaching is a thought-provoking and creative process that helps people focus on both personal and professional goals. It’s typically an “evocative” process—meaning it’s the life coach’s job to draw out the answers from the client, rather than tell them what to do. People use life coaching to overcome fears, boost their self-confidence, create goals, and instill success-oriented habits.

There are thousands of coaching training programs available online and in person. Many coaching certification programs offer an entire website setup once training is completed.

6. Pet Sitting

Most expats have at least one animal—many of them have more than one. Every expat wants to visit their family back home from time to time or vacation. A dog hotel, where their pets are properly looked after, gives them the freedom to do so without worrying about their pets.

Overheads for this type of business are relatively low. But there are some regular costs to be aware of, including food, beds, toys, and climate control.

7. Become an Audiobook Narrator

Audiobooks are an increasingly popular form of entertainment. The convenience factor of smartphones has led to an industry boom. The Association of American Publishers reported a 38.1% increase in audiobook downloads in 2015…and that’s creating a demand for freelance narrators.

Narration is a job that anyone can do, regardless of age or experience. It’s flexible, portable, and, above all, fun.

Since 1979, Internationaliving.com has been the leading authority for anyone looking for global retirement or relocation opportunities. Through its monthly magazine and related e-letters, extensive website, podcasts, online bookstore, and events held around the world, InternationalLiving.com provides information and services to help its readers live better, travel farther, have more fun, save more money, and find better business opportunities when they expand their world beyond their own shores. InternationalLiving.com has more than 200 correspondents traveling the globe, investigating the best opportunities for travel, retirement, real estate, and investment.