The transition from having a regular, fixed income to entering retirement can be difficult, since you’re leaving behind the sense of security that comes from having a regular salary. Although you can rest in the reassurance that you’ll receive a retirement income, for some this isn’t quite enough to feel secure financially. Although you’ve left the world of work, you don’t have to stop making money from doing the things you love. You can really customise your experience to your own strengths and preferences, reaping all of the benefits of working on your own terms.

Make money from your hobbies

Isn’t it everyone’s dream to earn money for doing what they love? This is something that, as a retired individual, you can really take advantage of. You can choose to trade just once per week, or every day if you wish – the choice is yours. Whether you’ve always loved putting pen to paper as a creative outlet, or you’re a passionate baker, you’ll always find someone who’s interested in purchasing your products – whether that’s through Fiverr, an online platform where you can sell your services, such as copywriting or graphic design – or at a regular bake sale.

Pet sitting

If you’re an animal lover, why not spend your spare time looking after other people’s pets? You could offer a regular service to your friends and family whilst they’re working, or offer your services to a wider demographic. Whether or not it earns you a decent income, exposure to animals is known to offer a wealth of mental and physical health benefits, such as anxiety and stress relief.

Making and selling crafts

Engaging in arts and crafts, for many, offers a peaceful escape from daily stresses and is a popular way to unwind. You might, for example, decide to give knitting a try, or make homemade soap products which you can then sell on to others. You might not make much profit on each item individually, but items such as these tend to be popular in demand; many like to gift friends and family with unique handcrafted items.

Sell unwanted items online

In addition to making profit from your hobbies, you can earn some additional cash from selling your unwanted items. Many people find that after having a clear out of their home, they discover more unwanted items than they had initially anticipated. The online buying and selling platform, Ebay, is a popular option for the trading of personal items, but to do this, you’ll first need to learn how to use it. Read our previous blog to discover how you can effectively sell your unwanted items online.

If selling your items online doesn’t appeal to you, then of course, you can just take them to a car boot sale – but this tends to be a more lengthy process.

At Extra Care Living, we understand that losing your regular income can be daunting; but there’s no need to worry. There are numerous ways that you can continue to make money that will support your retirement income. If you’re worried about the financial implications of leaving your job, read our previous blog to learn how to better cope with the transition to a fixed income.