Cheap Things to Do in Retirement: A Guide for Seniors

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Retirement has traditionally been the time we get to reap the rewards of all those years of hard work. The reality of retirement for many seniors today, however, is often plagued with financial stress and anxiety. The thought of running out of money and struggling to make ends meet can quickly turn golden years into a nightmare.

Fear not! There are ways to live well without breaking the bank. This post is filled with tips on how to enjoy your retirement without sacrificing financial security. You’ll find ideas on generating additional income with a side hustle to taking advantage of travel discounts. So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into how you can enjoy your golden years on a dime.

Cheap Things to Do in Retirement: Explore Affordable Travel Options

Now that you’re retired, you have the time to travel. The conundrum? The cost, especially if you’re a senior on a fixed income. So finding ways to stretch your travel budget is crucial. Here are some ways to do that.

Be Flexible With Your Travel Dates

If you’re flexible on when you can travel, consider signing up for a travel newsletter. These newsletters have staff who scour the Internet for the best flight, hotel, and travel deals. Most of these deals are offered for limited time frames.

Here are a few travel newsletters to consider. Some are free; others offer paid versions.

Look for Exclusive Senior Travel Discounts

Several hotels, car rental agencies, museums, and even airlines offer exclusive savings for their senior customers.

For example, IHG Hotels & Resorts, who owns Holiday Inn and Kimpton, offers a percentage off their Best Flex Rate for customers 62 and over. Note that these offers vary by hotel.

United Airlines offers discounts to passengers who are at least 65. These specials are not widely advertised and are not available for all flights. The best way to find out if you qualify is to contact United Airlines directly by chat or by phone at 800-864-8331.

Need more ideas? Here are more senior travel discounts to check out.

Sign Up for Travel Loyalty Programs

It’s a nice way to earn perks and registration is often free. Marriott Bonvoy™, for example, offers tiered membership levels based on the number of stays booked annually. With stays of up to nine nights, you can score complimentary perks like Internet access and special member rates. Benefits increase after that, and may include things like bonus points and welcome gifts. You can even use your earned points to redeem for gift cards or merchandise.

Use Credit Cards That Reward You With Flights or Hotels

Most airlines offer branded credit cards in a range of tiers, from free to paid membership. Although higher-tiered credit cards usually require an annual fee, you can earn perks like a complimentary companion ticket upon renewal.

Hotel chains, including Marriot Bonvoy and IHG, also offer branded credit cards that let you earn points towards free stays. Benefits vary by hotel and airline.

Cheap Things to Do in Retirement: Generate Additional Income with a Side Hustle

While Social Security and retirement savings can provide financial support, many seniors seek additional income streams to help make ends meet or to enjoy more financial freedom. One option to generate additional income is through a side hustle. The beauty of a side hustle is that you can choose something you are passionate about while earning money from it.

If you’re not sure where to start with a side hustle, think about your skills and interests. Maybe you enjoy crafting or cooking and could sell your creations online. Or perhaps you have experience in a certain field and could offer consulting services. The possibilities are endless, and with the rise of the gig economy, there are many platforms and resources available to help you get started.

Here are a few ideas to help get you thinking.

Start a Digital Newsletter

A digital subscription newsletter site like Substack is a great option if you’re not interested in hosting your own site. Although Substack is free to use, they charge a fee to process payments if you have paid subscribers. With sites like WordPress, you earn money with ads, affiliate sales, and sponsorships.

Both options have their benefits. One aspect I really appreciate about Substack is the ability to easily collaborate with other writers and gain new subscribers.

Sell Printable Products on Etsy

A main feature of running a printables business is that it doesn’t require any inventory storage. Aside from Etsy fees and any design tools you need to purchase, it’s essentially a low-overhead business. Some of the things you can create on a print-on-demand basis might include planner pages, invitations, and budget planners.

The book Etsy Business Launch offers solid advice on making money on Etsy. There are also online print on demand courses available, and some are offered for free.

For additional inspiration, check out my other ideas on how to earn extra money in retirement or look to books like Side Hustles for Dummies (paid Amazon link) for inspiration.

Love Animals?

It’s never been easier to turn your love for animals into a profit center. Ideas include starting a pet blog, creating an online course, dog walking, and selling dog treats. I’ve outlined 8 fun pet jobs, businesses, and side hustles if you’d like to learn more.

Cheap Things to Do in Retirement: Find a Part-time or Remote Job

Once you’ve retired, re-entering the workforce may be far from your mind. If you find something you enjoy doing, however, it doesn’t have to feel like work. And having extra cash to go on vacations, eat out, or supplement your income doesn’t hurt, either.

Here are some ideas for part-time or remote work.

Love to Travel?

Consider working for a hotel chain or airlines for the benefits. Delta Airlines, for example, provides free and discounted travel for their employees. They’ve also offered flexible work options, including part-time, remote, and hybrid remote jobs.

Similarly, Marriott Bonvoy has offered part-time and remote positions that include hotel & food discounts at Marriott properties.

More Ideas for Enjoyable Part-time Jobs

Lifeguard
Product demonstrator
Cruise ship worker
Tutor
Sales associate
Makeup artist
Hotel concierge

Where to Find Part-time and Remote Jobs

Check out the AARP Employee Pledge Program. These companies agree “that 50+ workers should have a level playing field in their ability to compete and obtain jobs.”
Rat Race Rebellion posts home-based jobs in a range of fields that include customer service, virtual assistance, data entry, and writing.
Look for companies that value senior workers. Some of these companies, writes FlexJobs, include Aetna, American Heart Association, CVS Health, and H & R Block.
These employers offer health benefits for their part-time employees.
These popular employers offer flexible and remote work opportunities.

Cheap Things to Do in Retirement: Find Senior Volunteer Opportunities

While you won’t earn income from volunteering, the potential health benefits you’ll reap are just as valuable. A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that those who volunteered 100 or more hours per year experienced a multitude of health benefits, including a decrease in feelings of hopelessness and loneliness.

The following are just a small sample of ways that seniors can give back.

Become a foster pet parent or volunteer at an animal rescue.
Volunteer at the gift shop of a local hospital, museum, or charitable outlet store.
Become a docent at a museum.
Deliver home-cooked meals to home-bound neighbors.
Volunteer as an usher at a music or sports venue.
Find opportunities to contribute at your place of worship.
Mentor younger people who need career or business guidance.

Cheap Things to Do in Retirement: Find a Hobby

Is there anything you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t had the time? A hobby is also a great way to connect with others who share your interests.

Here are some ideas:

Learn to scuba dive.
Join a scrapbooking club.
Join a book club.
Learn to surf.
Learn to ice skate.
Attend workshops and lectures on topics you’ve always wanted to know more about.
Learn to garden.

Retirement provides us with the freedom to do all the things we never had time for. Being on a fixed income doesn’t mean you can’t pursue them.

This post contains references to products from one or more of my advertising partners. When you click on a link to any of these products, I may be compensated. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please visit my Earnings Disclosure & Disclaimer page for more information. Thanks for your support!