Working in a restaurant is hard work and not something I would do personally if I didn't have to.
Yeah, I think anyone who's worked in food service will tell you that it's not something most people would do . . . if they didn't really need the money, or if they had better options available.
My idea is not that I want "easy jobs," just that I want jobs that would be interesting and, in some sense, fun and who's drawbacks (stress, physical demands, etc.) would be mitigated by the fact that I know I can quit whenever I feel like it.
I think your word choice "skate by" gives the impression you're looking for a job that takes about two brain cells . . . though that initial impression is dispelled by your subsequent posts.
If you like animals, how about being a dog walker/pet sitter or working at a doggie daycare type place?
I've thought I'd like to work at a pet boarding place -- perhaps seasonally, like in summer when the business picks up while people go on vacation.
I've done the outdoor guide thing for a couple summers. I was a raft guide/kayak instructor/rock climbing guide in SW Pennsylvania. The first year you won't make any money.
Hmmm . . . a couple years ago we went on a really great tour (we still talk about it) in a great state park in South Dakota, and the guy who took us "behind the scenes" was an older fellow -- perhaps as old as 80 -- who told us he lives in Texas, but he "summers" at Custer State Park. As we drove around, he pointed out the RV park where he and a bunch of other seasonal folks live, and he told us that lots of people come back year after year. We talked later about how we could see ourselves doing something of that nature . . . but I don't see us doing something as physically demanding as the job you described, and I don't anticipate the need for certifications. I would be okay with "breaking even", if it meant a summer of living in a national park -- I'd want to know I could make enough to travel out there, to buy groceries, and to eat out a couple meals each week ('cause I can't see myself cooking good meals in an RV on a regular basis).
I know that the state parks closer to home hire monthly "hosts", who camp for free in exchange for collecting campsite fees every night around dinner and being available for information and emergencies. One of our retirement goals is to buy a teardrop camper, and I could see us doing this occasionally.
Similarly, I could see myself working for the summer at the local ballpark -- shorts and tennis shoes, no morning hours . . . my kind of gig. I don't want to work in food prep, but I would be willing to sell beer (from the beer tent, not to haul around heavy crates), but I'd be better at something like tickets or parking. My husband and I agree that we'd like to plan to do things like this together so that we could share the ride and be together, and we like the idea of seasonal (work intensely, then you're done) a little better than part-time.
If you don't mind working nights, you might consider a nighttime security guard. My father in law did that for a few years as a bridge job to retirement. He basically would just walk from one end of the building to the other 3-5 times per night. He had lots of down time.
I've had that job. Dull as dirt.
Don't overlook the possibility of taking a job to learn a new skill. For example, a teacher friend of mine wanted to learn to arrange flowers, so she offered her services to a florist for the Valentine's Day rush. She did lots of cutting ribbons and simple tasks, but she watched and learned, and she came away knowing more than she had when she began.
And don't overlook volunteer jobs that may not pay money, but provide benefits. For example, some time back my husband surprised me with tickets to hear an author whom I admire speak. The tickets were expensive, but one thing I took away from that day was the knowledge that the ushers in the venue are all volunteers. I'd be willing to volunteer . . . if I could hear the speakers and the concerts and see the plays for free! Not too long ago I volunteered to work at a craft weekend in the big city near me, and I got to attend the event for free (though my time wasn't all my own), and I was given a big bagful of free crafty gifts. not all were to my taste, but I'm giving some away for Christmas gifts this year.
