Retirement is supposed to be about freedom — but let’s be real, sometimes “freedom” means we now have the freedom to look at our budget and think, “Yikes… a little extra income would sure help.”
And while driving for Uber or babysitting the neighbor’s kids are technically “side hustles,” they’re not exactly what most of us had in mind for our second act. The good news? There are the best side hustles for women over 60 that fit our stage of life — flexible, low-stress, and actually enjoyable.
Here are my top 5 side hustles for retirees that don’t require late nights in the car, awkward conversations with friends, or lifting anything heavier than your laptop.
1. Affiliate Marketing
If you’ve been hanging around me for a minute, you know this is my favorite. Affiliate marketing is all about recommending products or services online and earning a commission when someone buys through your link.
Here’s why it’s perfect after 60:
- Low startup costs — You can start with just a website and training.
- Work at your own pace — A few hours a week is enough to build momentum.
- No recruiting — Unlike MLMs, you don’t have to bug your family or sell overpriced shakes.
I personally use Wealthy Affiliate, which combines training, website hosting, and community support in one place. It’s beginner-friendly, and best of all, you can start for free.
👉 If you can forward a meme, you can learn affiliate marketing.
2. Blogging
Blogging may sound like something millennials did in the early 2000s, but it’s still one of the best ways to share your knowledge and make money.
You can blog about:
- Gardening tips.
- Travel stories.
- Recipes and cooking hacks.
- Health and wellness for our age group.
- Retirement lifestyle and money tips.
How it pays: through ads, affiliate links, sponsored posts, or even your own digital products.
And no, you don’t need to be a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer. You just need to be yourself. People connect with honesty and personality more than perfect grammar. (That’s what Grammarly is for!)
3. YouTube
Before you roll your eyes, hear me out: YouTube isn’t just for gamers and makeup tutorials. There’s a huge audience looking for real, relatable advice — and retirees are crushing it.
You can create videos about your niche (gardening, DIY, cooking, fitness, finance, travel), upload them from your phone, and monetize through ads and affiliate links.
Bonus: Video keeps your personality front and center. People feel like they know you, which builds trust faster than written words alone.
And don’t worry — you don’t need to be polished. If you stumble over a word or your dog barks mid-video, that just makes you human (and relatable).
4. Coaching or Mentoring
By the time you hit retirement, you’ve got decades of experience in something. Why not get paid to share it?
Examples:
- A retired teacher offering tutoring or mentoring.
- A nurse coaching people through healthy lifestyle changes.
- A business professional guiding younger folks through career planning.
You can offer 1:1 sessions on Zoom, group coaching programs, or even create workshops. And you don’t need a fancy website — just start with a free platform like Calendly to book calls and PayPal to collect payments.
5. Digital Products
This is where your creativity can shine. Digital products are things you create once and sell over and over again. Examples include:
- Planners and journals.
- Ebooks or guides.
- Recipe books.
- Printable affirmations or quotes.
- Online courses.
The beauty? No shipping. No inventory. Just upload your files to a platform like Etsy, Gumroad, or even your own site, and you’re in business.
It’s especially great for retirees because you can blend passion and profit. Love organizing? Create printable planners. Love cooking? Create a recipe ebook. Love fitness? Build a workout journal.
The Big Picture
The best side hustles for retirees share three qualities:
- Flexibility (you control your schedule).
- Low cost to start (no draining your savings).
- Joy (if you don’t enjoy it, you won’t stick with it).
Affiliate marketing, blogging, YouTube, coaching, and digital products all check those boxes. And the best part? They can be combined. For example:
- Blog about travel → Create YouTube videos → Add affiliate links → Sell your travel planner ebook.
It’s like a little digital ecosystem that grows with you.
âť“ FAQs About Side Hustles for Retirees
Q: What’s the easiest side hustle for retirees to start?
A: Affiliate marketing is hands-down the easiest. You don’t need tech wizardry, a big investment, or a garage full of products. Just a laptop, Wi-Fi, and a willingness to share what you know.
Q: Can women over 60 really make money blogging or on YouTube?
A: Absolutely. Blogging and YouTube are perfect for retirees because you can build them around hobbies and passions you already love. Think gardening, travel, cooking, or even financial tips. It’s fun, flexible, and yes — people really do earn from it.
Q: How much time does a side hustle take each week?
A: You can start with as little as a few hours a week. Consistency matters more than hours. The best part? You’re the boss. Work in the mornings, evenings, or only on rainy days — it’s completely up to you.
Final Word
Retirement doesn’t have to mean pinching pennies or settling for side hustles you dread. It can mean building something exciting, flexible, and meaningful.
Whether you’re looking for a way to supplement your income, stay mentally sharp, or finally share your passions with the world, these side hustles are proof: you’re not too old to start, you’re right on time.
👇 Want help getting started? Grab my free Laptop Retirement Starter Kit! Enter your info below and get instant access.👇 It’s packed with tools, tips, and encouragement to kick off your second act online.
~Lisa Renee
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