In search of the perfect group, indoor, physical, or even nursing home activities for seniors?

Look no further!

You’ve just uncovered the ultimate list of activities for elderly & seniors where you’ll find endless and entertaining ways to pass time, get involved, and discover new passions.

I can guarantee you’ll find something you like 🙂

Get Out & About

Getting out and about is all about trying new things and putting yourself out there.  These fun activities for seniors will boost social interaction and make a positive impact on overall mood and self-esteem.

Try a New Restaurant 

Break away from your go-to spots and try something new.  Do a Yelp search in your local area and sort the results based on reviews.  Results at the top will give you the best-rated restaurants.  Make sure to avoid the “Ads” as those restaurants have paid to be pushed to the top.

Plan a Movie Night

Going to the movies is an experience that will never get old.  Nothing better than a cold dark theater and buttery popcorn fingers.  Choosing the movie is easy, head over to Rotten Tomatoes to find reviews on the latest releases.  You can also search tickets and showtimes to see what movies times you can make after dinner. Don’t worry about the line, purchase your tickets right from the Rotten Tomatoes site.

Start Dating

You may be hesitant to start dating again, but why not see what benefits a new relationship could bring?! eHarmony.com is a reputable dating site that has a specific community dedicated to single Seniors. Sign up here, create a profile and start finding your potential matches.

Visit Family More

As families grow older (and larger), schedules get busier and it can be difficult to visit with family. Set time aside to plan a family trip or gathering.  It could be as simple as having everyone over for a BBQ!

Local Meetups

Local meetups are a great way to get out in the community and meet new people. Meetup is an awesome website/mobile app designed for planning and finding meetups.  Visit the site to sign up, you’ll create an account that allows you to specify your interests and find great groups doing things you love.

Go Shopping

Department store malls are overpriced, predictable, and repetitive. Branch out and visit consignment shops, flea markets, and thrift stores where hidden treasures are just waiting to be found! These shopping venues are low cost and you can negotiate on price.

Road Trip

Get in your car and drive! Consider exploring new roads you’ve yet to conquer. Planning the trip is simple. Download the app or visit Roadtrippers.com, log in with social media or sign up for an account.

With access to highway guides and the best lists of roadside attractions, create a trip by adding destinations to your map.

Check Out Your Senior Center

Usually associated with the county, senior centers offer a wide variety of services and support, along with social events. Visit your senior center or look for their website online to get more information on what they have to offer.  Most sites will provide a list of programs and upcoming events that are open to the public.  Getting involved in some social activities will open the doors to meeting others in your community!

Take Advantage of Your Landscape

Whether it’s a trip down to the beach, a day at the lake, or a hiking adventure through the woods, forget the traveling and make most of the landscape that is in your backyard.

Scour the Newspaper for Special Events

The local newspaper is a great resource to find upcoming special events or activities. Festivals, markets, sales, exhibits, and fundraisers are commonly promoted in the local section weekly.

If you don’t get the newspaper delivered, you can pick one up at a newsstand, or visit your favorite paper’s website for the online version.

Become a Member of an Organizations

Joining an organization often come with many perks, such as; discounts, private events, social interaction, and access to resources like professional advice or information. It’s a great way to meet new people, give back to the community, and stay motivated.  You may also consider taking advantage of leadership opportunities.

Popular Organizations for Seniors:

• AARP
• Red Hat Society
• SCORE
• The American Society on Aging

Travel Where You Always Dreamed

Where have you always wanted to visit? Now’s the time to take advantage.  Use travel sites like Expedia, Kayak, and TripAdvisor to plan your overdue rendezvous.

Visit Local Farmer’s Markets

Farmer’s Markets are typically hosted on Saturdays and Sundays and are most popular during spring and autumn months.  Not only is this a great way to get out of the house, but you’re also supporting and connecting with your community.  Not to mention you can find some of the freshest produce!

Health & Fitness

The importance of exercise for seniors is huge! As we age we must put forth a conscious effort to keep up with our health and fitness. Find indoor activities, recreational activities, & great exercises for seniors. Along with tips for keeping tabs on your nutrition.  

Track Your Nutrition

Challenge yourself to monitor your nutrition.  Sign up and download the MyFitnessPal app to enter your daily food log.  You can even log your water intake and workouts.  The app has lots of great nutritional and fitness information that can help you stay educated on what’s good for your body.

Perform Chair Exercises

Who says you need to stand up to exercise? Chair exercises designs for seniors are easy on the joints and have proven to provide many benefits for those seeking lower impact activity that gets the blood flowing.

Explore a New Diet

There has been a lot of hype around new diets lately with talk of health and mood improvements across the board.  Why not try following a new diet to help boost your health? Learn the science behind the diets and decide which one you think would suit you.

Some diets to research:

• Atkins Diet
• The Zone Diet
• Vegetarian Diet
• Vegan Diet
• Paleo Diet
• Weight Watchers Diet
• South Beach Diet
• Raw Food Diet
• Mediterranean Diet

Create a Home Gym (on a budget)

If you enjoy working out but would rather skip the annual membership fee then consider turning the empty space of your garage, basement, or guest room into your very own home gym.

Although personal equipment is expensive there are options. Look into buying second hand and be sure to check garage sales and online classifieds. OR consider small portable equipment that provides the same benefits as full sized machines.

Track Your Steps

You can find and purchase a Fitbit at your local sporting goods store, big-box stores (like Walmart or Target), or online at fitbit.com.

These sleek wristbands are designed to track your fitness all day long.  It tracks your steps, heart rate, sleep activity, and workouts daily.  It’s great for setting goals and the information syncs up with the app on your phone to track your results.

Join a Gym

Joining a gym gives you access to working out despite the weather outdoors.  Not only that, joining a gym is like joining a small community.  Get to know the other members, attend group classes, and enlist a workout partner!

Before signing up for a membership, check out all your potential facilities.  Request a tour and a 3-day to trial before committing to an entire year.

Juggling

Once you’ve mastered the technique you’ll always have a hidden talent in your back pocket. Learning to juggle is not only entertaining, it helps to improve your hand-eye coordination and motor skills.

Try Yoga

Yoga is the perfect low-impact exercise packed with a huge list of benefits.

Work to improve your…

balance, flexibility, joint health, stability, anxiety, blood pressure, and breathing

Yoga is available at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Check out the local studios and what classes your gym may offer. Some community groups coordinate free or for donation classes where locals meet up and practice together.

Discover Weightlifting

Typically when people hear the term weightlifting they associate it with the big muscle heads at the gym, but an appropriate weightlifting routine can provide lots of benefits. Moving weights can help to add bone mass to the hip and spine.  It can relieve pains from arthritis, improve range of motion, and strengthen muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Safe practice and proper form is always recommended.  If you’re a member at the local gym, look into scheduling an appointment with a personal trainer to develop the safest routine.

Proactively Manage Your Health

When is the last time you visited your doctor? The first thing you can do is make sure you’re up-to-date on all your appointments.

But don’t stop there, start monitoring your vital signs regularly between visits. This helps to track health trends and alert you of any abnormal findings. Monitoring makes it easy to communicate results to your doctor and can also be beneficial for identifying your body’s reaction to prescribed medications.

The most important vitals to monitor, on a regular basis, are oxygen level, weight, temperature, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.

*Look into purchasing portable medical devices that are small and easy to use on the go.

Participate in Local Charity Walks

Pick a cause that you’re passionate about, and check out their website.  Most organizations list upcoming walks/runs.  Here’s a good list.

Turn it into an event or tradition and invite your friends and family to help support the cause!

Just Stretch

Improve your endurance, mobility, and flexibility by taking some time to stretch.  Look for areas of downtime throughout your daily routines. Try these stretches. You’ll have plenty of opportunities without having to set aside time. Throw it in during your TV time, right when you wake up in the morning, or right before bed.

Join the Silver Sneakers

Silver Sneakers is a program designed to keep adults 65+ healthy and moving.  The program includes 13,000 participating facilities across the US and offers access to exclusive classes, meetups, and even Medicare health plans.  As a member, you can attend any participating gyms at any time.

Head over to their website and check to see if you are eligible.

Take Up Bicycling

Join a cycling club or take a leisurely ride your beach cruiser to the grocery store instead of taking the car.  The choice is up to you.  When it comes to bicycling there are, surprisingly, quite a few variations.  Some may even open the door to a new found hobby

Road bikes- designed for speed and distance

Mountain bikes- tackle higher grounds with rough terrain and obstacles

Beach cruisers- single geared; good for trails, parks, and beaches

Recumbent bikes- allow you to sit comfortably while pedaling, most have 3 wheels which provide extra stability.

Tandem bikes- a bicycle built for two! Great for couples.

Swim at Your YMCA or Community Pool

Swimming is low impact, gentle on your joints, and great for your heart.   Perform aerobic exercises, swim laps, or attend a group class. Indoor pools mean you can swim year-round, see what classes are offered at the YMCA or community pool.

At Home Workout Programs

Mix some at-home workout programs in with your regular gym routine.   These programs are designed to accommodate all levels of fitness and always provide modifications.  They start with beginner exercises and progressively become more challenging as you get further into the program.

There are a plethora of workout programs to choose from, here are just a few:

PiYo – mix between yoga and pilates, low-impact

Walk at Home– original walking workouts that incorporate cardio, flexibility, and strength training.

DDP Yoga – low impact yoga flows

21-Day Fix – full body workout that includes variety of pilates, cardio, and interval training

Join an Accountability Group

Get motivation and find support by joining an accountability group and surround yourself with people working towards similar goals. These groups are designed to increase your performance, measure your progress, keep you engaged, and allow you to express your thoughts and feelings. Search for groups through your social media accounts.  Discover forums (like this one!) where you can share about your journey and receive virtual support from others going through the same experience. If you’re feeling courageous, start one of your own!

Get a Massage

Massages are a relaxing way to recover from sore or fatigued muscles. They do wonders for your health and are great for relieving stress, headaches, and in some cases digestive disorders.

Massages can get pricey but most spas offer a discounted rate for first-time customers.

Start Playing Tennis

Tennis is known to be a social sport that you can play at any age. It’s a very challenging game, but easy to learn. If you don’t have the same pep in your step considering finding a doubles partner to lighten the workload. Check out the public courts for free play or become a member at a club for anytime access.

Become an Umpire or Referee

Have you always considered yourself a sports fanatic? Then why not become an official for your favorite sport? You may not make it to the big leagues but check out opportunities to officiate little league or even high school games. Some gigs may even offer compensation!

Pick Up Golf

Got lots of time? Golf may just become your new favorite sport! Playing golf will burn calories, get your heart rate up, and reduce stress. It’s a great source of exercise, and entertainment.

(Don’t forget to wear your FitBit to count your steps on the course!!)

Find a Hobby

Hobbies are a great way to relieve stress and challenge yourself at the same time. Anyone can find a new hobby and they make for great assisted living or nursing home activities! Here’s a long list of ideas for everyone.

Grow a Herb Garden

Looking to gain a green thumb? Start with a small herb garden that you can keep indoors.

Find a location that gets decent sunlight throughout the day (at least 4 hours) and plant your herbs in small pots with loose soil for good drainage.  Tend to and water once soil surface appears dry (indoor gardens need less water, because of the cooler air).

Here’s a list of herbs that grow great indoors:

• Mint
• Parsley
• Chives
• Lemongrass
• Oregano
• Basil
• Thyme

When ready, add your herbs to your signature dish!

Cook New Recipes

Expand your recipe repertoire and cook something new! Check out sites like coutryliving.com, food.com, and Pinterest for inspiring ideas.

Build a Computer

This one sounds tough, but you don’t have to be an engineer or tech wizard to take on the challenge.  By following basic guidance and instructions, anyone can build their own computer. It’s fun to learn what parts go where and why, and with having the ability to choose specific parts or components, your personally built computer is more than likely to out-perform one you would pick up at the store.

Talk about ultimate bragging rights when you’re finished 😉

Start Quilting

Did you know quilting was actually good for your health?  It helps to relieve stress along with increasing cognitive & creative thinking.  Quilting clubs or communities offer a great place to socialize and build relationships.

Join a Theatre Group

Theatre is popularly known as a form of self-expression.  It’s also proven to be very therapeutic. It’s a great way to open up more socialization opportunities and build new friendships. These groups are a wonderful way to gain confidence and inspiration throughout your daily life.

You can find groups online, but check with your church or community center for more opportunities.

Get on Social Media

Social media is more than reconnecting with old friends.  Take to the online world to make new friends that share similar interests or express your feelings and allow others to relate. Try starting up your own group or participate in an existing one to gain access to content based on information you desire. Step into the social media world and follow your favorite brands, celebrities, sports teams, etc for endless entertainment.

Most popular social media outlets:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Google +
• Linkedin

Make a Scrapbook

You’ve lived an exciting and fulfilling life, so why not document it? Scrapbooking is another great creative outlet to relieve stress and perfect project for the elderly. Join a scrapbook club and share your unique story with new friends as you craft away!

Adopt a Pet

Open your home to a rescued pet.  Most shelters are overcrowded with animals that need a new home.  Skip the exhausting puppy phase and adopt a loyal companion…who’s already house broken.

Visit the ASPCA online and read up on helpful information about the adoption process and factors to consider. Check out websites

You can also find potential pets available for adoption through websites like this one!

Start a Blog

Bring your thoughts and memories to life for others to enjoy.  Become a blogger!

WordPress.com is a site where you can start and host your own blog. Select “Get Started” to choose the layout and design of your site.  Follow the steps and create an account and you’re ready to get working on your first entry.

Learn an Instrument

Did you know it’s easier to learn an instrument as an adult than it is a child?

As an adult you’re set up much more conveniently, you’ve had a lifetime of listening to music, your attention span is longer, cognitively the concepts make more sense, and you actually want to learn the instrument- it’s not forced or required.

You can teach yourself with help from the internet or DVDS or music shops will typically offer private or group lessons.

Fishing

Get some fresh air, reconnect with the outdoors, and shut down the electronics. You’ll be hooked! Fishing is one of the most relaxing activities, and anyone can give it a shot. It’s a great way to make memories with the grandkids and teach them a valuable skill.

Antiquing

Visit your favorite antique shops and find a piece that intrigues you.  Don’t stop there, do your research.  Each piece has a unique story to tell, you never know when you’ll stumble upon a treasure.  Your new statement piece could be extremely valuable or even have the potential to increase in value, making it your best conversation starter yet!

Homebrewing

Learn how to prep, brew, ferment, and bottle your own beer.  Homebrewing is an art form, but don’t let that scare you.  It’s not as difficult as you may think.  Purchase an at-home starter kit to point you in the right direction or sign up for a workshop. Once you’re confident in your technique, start experimenting with different flavors. For honest reviews let your friends do the taste-testing.

PenPal

PenPals are a fabulous way to educate yourself on other cultures and ways of life. The traditional, snail mail, way of pen paling is still very popular, but communicating electronically makes it easier to connect and has taken pen pal opportunities to a new level.

Here’s a helpful guide on finding your pen pal

Take a Trip in an RV 

Travel around the country in the comfort of your own home. If you’re hesitant about investing in an RV, check out the rental options.  You can choose from different types and styles depending on the accommodations you need.

Check out rvonthego.com to help plan your trip and get access to specials offers and discounts

Without having to worry about hotel rentals and night stays you have the freedom to travel where you please…and pets are always allowed.

D.I.Y. Projects

Save money and learn new skills, do-it-yourself projects have grown in popularity since the start of Pinterest (a.k.a. “the world’s catalog of ideas”). Browse through the DIY searches or type in specific ideas to find step by step tutorials on “how to”. Do it just for fun or try making some extra cash by creating something you could sell.

Popular searches to check out:

• refurbishing furniture
• storage
• home decor
• costumes
• crafts

Enjoy Birdwatching

What a great excuse for an outdoor adventure.  Hit the trails for a day or make it into a trip. Birdwatching provides exercise and is beneficial to your overall health. All you need is a birding book, notebook, outdoor gear (sunscreen, hat, bug spray, water etc.), and pair of binoculars.

Start a Bucket list

No, you don’t have to jump out of any plans, but write down everything you want to do in your lifetime and start fulfilling your dreams.

Learn Photography

Capture a priceless moment and create a piece of art. Strengthen your cognitive abilities and improve your memory by learning how to use a new camera and editing software.

Take a Ballroom Dancing Class

Spice up your life with some salsa that doesn’t come from a jar! Pair up and make new friends; Ballroom Dancing boosts confidence, reduces stress, and best of all…burns calories! Do a Google search for studios in your area and add it to your weekly schedule.

Get a Fish Tank

Put together an aquarium and soak up the tranquility.  A fish tank can provide a calming and peaceful sensation to a room that will improve your mood.  Pets are stressful but fish are low maintenance and easy to care for.

Volunteer

Help others out and feel good doing it! There are endless volunteering opportunities to take advantage of. Consider childcare facilities, schools, churches, libraries, non-profits, and community centers around you. Larger Charities and organizations will commonly list opportunities on their websites.

Check out this resource list of volunteering sources for more options.

Become a Mentor

Take your life skills and experiences and help others grow and learn.  Mentoring can be done formally through programs that assign you to a mentee (like this one) or informally through family friends or community members.

If you’re considering being a mentor make sure you have:

• dedication and the desire to be involved
• the time and flexibility
• listening skills
• empathy

Teach a Class

If you have a specific skill or knowledge set that you would enjoy sharing with others, volunteer to teach a class on it! Do some research and check if you are eligible to teach, if not, tackle the requirements.  Yoga, Zumba, cycling, boxing, cooking, sewing, baking, and dance classes are just a few that require minimal (if any) pre-requisites to become an instructor.

Car Restoration

This takes a lot of work, but the end result is pretty impressive.  Bring that vintage Pontiac GTO toy you had as a kid to life in your own garage.

Before diving in, do your research.  What car? Are the parts readily available? Does the cost fit your budget? How much work needs to be done?

Once you’re ready to begin, create a schedule to keep you on track and your goals in sight.

…And when you’re finished, have your pride and joy entered into a car show to showcase your hard work and let others envy your classic.

Trivia Night

Add some excitement to your dinner and drinks, and invite your friends to trivia night. Trivia is a great group activity for seniors. A lot of restaurants and bars host weekly trivia nights – most posting dates on their websites or calendar of events.

Fun & Games

Fight against Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and cognitive challenges associated with aging by trying out some new games. They’re fun, entertaining, and stimulate your mind. You’re mistaken if you think fun activities for seniors are hard to come by…there’s something for everyone in this list!

Online Poker

Visit the casino without having to leave your house.  Sign up for an account on a free site to play for fun. If you’re seeking a little thrill, test your luck with a hand or two against some more serious players for money.  Remember to set a budget, just to be on the safe side 😉

Online Chess

Find yourself destroying all your regular competition? Head over to Chess.com to test your strategies and battle opponents across the country who share the same passion for the game as you do.

Shuffleboard

Head down to the shuffleboard courts for a leisurely game.  Socialize with others in your community, while getting fresh air and a little sunshine.

Senior Sports League

Participate in a senior sports league. Check out the rec center for sign ups or meet-up dates.  Most community centers hold organized game play for basketball, volleyball, soccer, and flag football (men, women, and co-ed). Get a group of friends on board and enter the league or sign up individually to be placed on a team.  Check for openings on existing teams; church and community groups often have teams

Checkers, Cards, Board Games, etc.

Release your competitive side by dabbling in some classic games.  Dust off the old boards and play the traditional way or hop on the computer and play against someone from across the world.

Download game apps directly to your phone so you can play from anywhere

Free Apps:

• Checkers
• Words with Friends (Scrabble)
• Ruzzle
• UNO & friends
• iChess

Puzzles or Crosswords

Start working on the daily crosswords in the newspaper.  Make it part of your daily routine to keep your mind sharp.  Challenging our brains to a puzzle improves our thinking and can have positive effects on short-term memory. Don’t worry, if you don’t receive a daily paper, you can find puzzles online.  The Washington Post has a new one daily!

Listen to Music

Discovering new music has changed a little since the days of digging through crates at the record store.

Sign up for Spotify and get access to music across all your listening devices.  This app allows you to download music & create your own playlists, or discover ones put together by other users; just like social media you can follow playlists that you enjoy.

Pandora is another similar music app.  You can compare the two and decide which you would prefer.

*Both apps can be accessed free of charge, but search will be limited and music will be interrupted by Ads

The Wii

Look into purchasing a Wii, the video game console that simulates sports like tennis, golf, skiing, bowling, and even boxing. The catch…you get to be the controller.   The sensors pick up your movements and reactions to the gameplay. Studies show that this gaming interaction has helped to improve balance, stability, and coordination.

Research Your Ancestry & Make a Family Tree

Fill in those gaps in your family story, find out where you really come from and start tracking down your history. Ancestry.com allows you to discover your ancestry past and piece together a family tree.  Take advantage of the free trial and start digging!

You never know, you may be related to someone famous!

Catch up on Your Reading at the Library

The library is very much underrated.  What’s more satisfying that a place that is always quite, where you can actually hear your own thoughts?  Stop at the cafe on the way in and grab a cup of coffee.  Head over to your favorite section and pick out a book, but careful…it’s easy to lose track of time.

(Most libraries offer story time for children, check to see if they need any volunteers to read and get the chance share your love of books!)

Arts & Crafts for Seniors

(refer back to Pinterest for endless ideas)

Occupy your time and express your creative side.  Crafting exercises the mind and reduces stress. Break out the old arts & crafts box and start piecing together a masterpiece.

Plan a Paint Night

Gather some friends for a therapeutic painting session and unwind.  For-fun painting classes (a.k.a “Paint bars”, where an instructor leads everyone through painting the same picture while participates indulge in some beverages) have become increasing popular for a fun and relaxing night out. Head over to PaintNite.com to search for class times and locations.

Join a Book Club

If you consider yourself a bookworm, find a club that meets up regularly through your library, church,  or community center.  Dive into deep discussions about themes and underlying meanings with others who share the same passion for reading.

Education

Take a College Class

Anyone can go back to school. If you genuinely enjoyed learning as you grew up, why not brush up on your knowledge?  Enroll yourself at a junior college or go big apply to take courses at a university. Depending on your state, application, tuition, and related fees are waived or stipulations may be handled individually by the school.

Learn a New Language

Rosetta Stone is probably the most popular program for learning new languages. It’s an interactive software that teaches languages with an instinctive and natural approach. Choose between 24 different languages and start mastering your skills today!

Learn New Technology

Keep up with your grandkids on all the latest technology and learn how to navigate your way through the cyber world.  Techboomers.com is an awesome website designed to teach proper use and function of the most popular websites and apps. Make an account and gain access to hundreds of helpful tutorials.

Explore Online Courses

Skip the classroom and continue your education from your couch! Online colleges have becomes extremely popular for those returning to school or seeking education in specific fields. Visit the Khan Academy and sign up for access to free online course or if you’re looking for something a little more informal…check out these free online courses.

Become an Intern

It’s normal to miss work life after retirement, Fulfill your needs to stay active in the workforce and make a little extra cash if you can. Becoming an intern is not just for college students.  Search for interning positions online at sites like Monster, or directly contact companies you may be interested in – if it doesn’t have an age or college requirement, you’re able to apply.

Take a Computer Class

Public computer classes are commonly offered on school campuses during the evening.  If you find yourself falling behind in the tech-savvy world, catch up by enrolling in a month long computing course. Run a quick Google search to pull up available classes around you.

Attend Cultural Events

Dive into a culture that is unique to you and learn what makes it so special. Get a taste of the cuisine, history, art, and way of life by attending culturally themed events. All while engaging and helping to support the community. Scheduled vents are typically advertised in the local paper and on media outlets.

Visit Museums

Whether it’s fine arts, war history, or science, enrich your life and expand your knowledge by taking a trip to the museum.  Find exhibits online, and keep your eye out for special events or deals. Don’t forget to ask for your senior discount!

Read a News Source

News publications keep us current on events happening around the world. This could be the newspaper, a magazine, or an online source.  Regardless, staying current on news is important, but be careful not to default to a biased source.

Check out these most popular publications:

• New York Times
• Tampa Bay Times
• Cnn
• Fox News
• USA Today

Seminars

There is a seminar for just about anything these days.  Whether you’re looking to pursue an entrepreneurial dream or boost your self-esteem “there’s a seminar for that”.  It really is a great way to learn from experts in the industry, meet new people, and gather the latest information. You can tune in online, but attending in person is a lot more motivating

(You can do a search online specific to the seminar topic you’re looking for)

Podcasts

Podcasts are both educational and entertaining.  Listen while doing the laundry, cleaning the house, or driving in the car.

Download a podcast app to your smartphone. (Here’s one for iPhones & one for Androids).

Top Podcasts to Explore:

• TED Radio Hour (NPR)
• Stuff You Should Know
• Majority Report
• Mike & Mike ESPN

Additional Income

If you’re no longer working, but still interested in making money or holding a job in your free time here are ways you can earn additional income!

Leverage Your Skills as a Consultant

If others consider you an expert, trying using the knowledge you’ve gained throughout your career as leverage to become a consultant.  Help others who are working to achieve goals and skills that you have already mastered.

Check out Clarity.fm – a site designed to help people connect with professionals in their industry for consulting. Sign up as an expert and find clients looking for answers in your field of expertise.

Learn About Bitcoin

If you’re unfamiliar with Bitcoin you can find more information here. It was created in 2009 and is a type of electronically held digital currency.  Bitcoin is independent of large banks or other central authorities and transfers are almost instant.

Check out some of the most popular Bitcoin sites below:

• Coinbase
• LocalBitcoins
• Xapo

Freelance Writing

If you enjoy writing for fun, why not make some money for it?  Become a freelance writer and get paid by the hour or by the article.

Sign-up as a freelancer on UpWork.com, build your profile, resume, and set your rate.  Employers have the ability to post job openings as well as contact you personally.

You can also find freelance opportunities on Craigslist, but be aware of scams!

Open a Brokerage Account

Invest your money to buy and sell stocks, bonds, mutual funds, currency, and even contracts and receive a tax-advantage.  Online brokers are the most commonly used. Do you research and have an idea of how often you’ll be making trades, what support you need, and your limit of account fees. Use NerdWallet to start comparing brokers today!

Part-time Job

After retirement, many people still have the desire to work. Find somewhere that you would enjoy.  Here are some common part-time job opportunities for seniors

• Retail shops – look for cashier or sale associate jobs at your favorite store
• Childcare facilities – lead a class or become a teacher assistant
• Churches – check for receptionist, nursery, or even cooking/cleaning positions
• Sports Usher – professional sports leagues often offer ushering positions-(check sports team website for job openings)
• Nannying – many mothers need part time help in-between school schedules and extracurricular activities.

Visit indeed.com, monster.com, and snagajob.com to find part-time job opportunities.

Invest in Local Companies

Look into investing in one of your favorite local companies. Locally owned businesses help to improve the economy more than global companies and often times sustained tourism, entrepreneurship, social equality, and political participation. Find more information on why you should invest locally here.  You can also join a business club like SCORE to help make connections in your community.

Monitor What You Spend

Take a day and dive into your finances.  When you’re not working, you’re not bringing in any new income; so it’s important to develop a plan for monitoring what you spend.

You can use a free app, like LearnVest that links to your bank account and tracks basic spending. Identify where your money is going and where you can make adjustments. You can pay for upgraded and more advanced features based off your needs.

Cut Clutter by Selling Online

Take inventory of the things you no longer use – the better the condition the more likely you are to make a sale. Consider anything from purses and shoes to furniture or gadgets.

There are several online platforms available. Apps like LetGo or OfferUp are mobile classifieds that allow users to buy from or sell to others locally.  Upload pictures straight from your phone and allow buyers to negotiate.

You don’t have to be a top retailer or company to sell on big sites like eBay or Amazon. Create a seller profile and start listing your belongings

Tutor Students

If you have a flexible schedule become an online tutor and make your services available anywhere.  If you work better face-to-face, check the libraries, schools, and community centers for potential tutoring gigs.

Sell Your Crafts Online

Set up your own storefront at Etsy.com and start making some money for your unique goods and crafts. Etsy makes it easy, this is a secure site that allows sellers access to support, education, and management tools that help get the word out about your creativity!

Garage Sale

You know what they say, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”

Garage sales have been around forever, and they are still a great way to make some extra cash off the things you no longer need or use.

Start by selecting your date…Spring sales typically do the best, but summer is also a very popular time for hosting. Saturday is the most popular day, but consider Fridays for less competition or on a Sunday when church lets out.

To increase attraction to your sale, advertise with signs outside of your neighborhood.  You could ask your neighbors if they would like to join in on the action or you may even consider organizing a neighborhood-wide sale!

Provide Child, Adult, or Pet Care

If you love taking care of others consider becoming a nanny or pet sitter! Care.com is a great site that allows you to create a profile, apply to job listings, communicate with potential families, and even receive pay…all without leaving the site. Basic profile functions are free, but for a low monthly payment you can upgrade your account and better market your skills.

Earn Money Online

Turn your living room into your office and work from home.  Tutoring, customer support, writing, data entry, and virtual assistance are just a few positions typically available to those looking to work from home. You can find job openings on sites like these, but be careful of scams and know what signs to look out for before releasing any personal information.

Explore Senior Employment Opportunities

If you find yourself itching to get back into a work routine, there are a lot of resources designed for seniors to help find potential positions to apply for.

Here’s a great resource page from the U.S. Department of State that includes information on training, job fairs, and job postings specifically for Seniors.

Become an Uber Driver

With Uber, you can make your own schedule. If you have a reliable car and clean driving record you’re on your way to making money by the mile.  Check out the other driver requirements and sign up to become an Uber Driver today.