Author Topic: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...  (Read 30098 times)

simonsez

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #50 on: January 28, 2014, 08:36:51 AM »
Agreed- and also, by the time average a mmm retires, money is hopefully no longer the major focus?
To create a more specialized list from a random group of people, they would have to know what skills are available to work with?

I personally want nothing to do with both skillsets that have made me comfortable and financially free to do something I love that is "not terribly skilled"
Yep.

I think of tasks/jobs that I would be doing anyway or would do for free.  Any income that comes with it is a very nice cherry on top.

I'll just point out, as others have, that generally you cannot be called a librarian without a MLIS or similar degree. Just like you're not a doctor just because you work in a hospital, you're not a librarian just because you work in a library.

Wow.  So Tobey Maguire in Cider House Rules wasn't a surgeon, then?  Who knew!  Lionel Logue in The King's Speech was an imposter!  No qualifications!  Same for the lady I knew growing up who ran all the circulation software, responsible for cataloging & shelving, payroll, collections, repairs, subscriptions, inter-library loan management, etc.  I feel like I have been cheated......

C'mon now.  As for your analogy, I'm not sure too many custodians, cafeteria staff, gift shop staff, receptionists, nurses, etc. claim to be doctors either even though they work in a hospital.  For those who have many of the same responsibilities as a certified librarian, I don't think it is some egregious sin to label them as a librarian with respect to their duties even if they don't have a piece of fancy paper.  What do you call them?  Just a clerical worker?  How do these clerical workers explain to someone what their job is without using the L word?

nottoolatetostart

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #51 on: January 28, 2014, 08:56:35 AM »
Top picks for me:

 - work at a mountain lodge or similar during ski season for a free or reduced ski pass
 - do the seasonal H&R block thing or at a local CPA firm because I really love finances and taxes
 - work part-time at library
 - Starbucks or local coffee shop as barista
 - property management

So much to do! Especially when you already have most of your income offset by investments, you love doing it, and this is just gravy on top money to reduce your safe withdrawal rate.
 

rubybeth

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #52 on: January 28, 2014, 12:53:31 PM »

I'll just point out, as others have, that generally you cannot be called a librarian without a MLIS or similar degree. Just like you're not a doctor just because you work in a hospital, you're not a librarian just because you work in a library.

Wow.  So Tobey Maguire in Cider House Rules wasn't a surgeon, then?  Who knew!  Lionel Logue in The King's Speech was an imposter!  No qualifications!  Same for the lady I knew growing up who ran all the circulation software, responsible for cataloging & shelving, payroll, collections, repairs, subscriptions, inter-library loan management, etc.  I feel like I have been cheated......

C'mon now.  As for your analogy, I'm not sure too many custodians, cafeteria staff, gift shop staff, receptionists, nurses, etc. claim to be doctors either even though they work in a hospital.  For those who have many of the same responsibilities as a certified librarian, I don't think it is some egregious sin to label them as a librarian with respect to their duties even if they don't have a piece of fancy paper.  What do you call them?  Just a clerical worker?  How do these clerical workers explain to someone what their job is without using the L word?

I think LibrarIan's main point is that the job you'd be doing likely wouldn't be a "librarian" job, but would be called something else, and the pay would match the title, as in my earlier example. I used to work at a circulation desk while I was in school getting my degree, and I can tell you from experience that most patrons think that anyone at a public service desk who works in a library is a "librarian," and it seemed the OP of this thread was doing something similar when they wrote "be a librarian," but I can assure you that most staff don't have an advanced degree, nor is it required. It's not "some egregious sin" to mis-label someone as a librarian, but it is technically inaccurate, and all of the librarians I know like to be accurate. :D

schimt

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #53 on: January 28, 2014, 01:54:17 PM »
The only thing that i have always considered that i didn't already see on this list was Part Time Home Inspector. I have always been interested in this and believe i would enjoy it on a part time scale, along with a wide selection of other things to keep me occupied. Would look to work with someone who is experienced obviously.

LibrarIan

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #54 on: January 28, 2014, 02:04:58 PM »
I'll just point out, as others have, that generally you cannot be called a librarian without a MLIS or similar degree. Just like you're not a doctor just because you work in a hospital, you're not a librarian just because you work in a library.

Wow.  So Tobey Maguire in Cider House Rules wasn't a surgeon, then?  Who knew!  Lionel Logue in The King's Speech was an imposter!  No qualifications!  Same for the lady I knew growing up who ran all the circulation software, responsible for cataloging & shelving, payroll, collections, repairs, subscriptions, inter-library loan management, etc.  I feel like I have been cheated......

C'mon now.  As for your analogy, I'm not sure too many custodians, cafeteria staff, gift shop staff, receptionists, nurses, etc. claim to be doctors either even though they work in a hospital.  For those who have many of the same responsibilities as a certified librarian, I don't think it is some egregious sin to label them as a librarian with respect to their duties even if they don't have a piece of fancy paper.  What do you call them?  Just a clerical worker?  How do these clerical workers explain to someone what their job is without using the L word?

Whoa. Maybe I wasn't clear enough when I said that. I wasn't trying to say that you have to a "piece of fancy paper" to be able to do something that a librarian does nor was I comparing the difficulty of obtaining a degree in medicine to a degree in librarianship. I was merely pointing out the fact that just because you work in a particular institution doesn't automatically give you some particular title.

As for being a sin to label someone as something, it is not one. However, you'll probably get offended stares from degree-wielding librarians if you refer to clerical workers or some other employee as a librarian. And people in libraries have lots of different titles. Librarians, library associates, shelvers, groundskeepers, etc. If I was a library associate, I could tell someone, "I work at the library at the front desk," or something similar. I wouldn't have to say I'm a librarian, mostly because I'm not one (in this scenario).

Deep breaths, my friend.

The Taminator

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #55 on: January 28, 2014, 02:18:11 PM »
Bike courier

LibraryGirl

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #56 on: January 28, 2014, 03:57:47 PM »
C'mon now.  As for your analogy, I'm not sure too many custodians, cafeteria staff, gift shop staff, receptionists, nurses, etc. claim to be doctors either even though they work in a hospital.  For those who have many of the same responsibilities as a certified librarian, I don't think it is some egregious sin to label them as a librarian with respect to their duties even if they don't have a piece of fancy paper.  What do you call them?  Just a clerical worker?  How do these clerical workers explain to someone what their job is without using the L word?

I've worked at multiple libraries, and have never heard someone call themselves a librarian who not actually a librarian.  What exactly do you consider the "responsibilities of a certified librarian", because I'm guessing it has nothing to do with actual job descriptions.  My job title is library assistant.  At the last place I worked, a similar position was titled circulation assistant.  In fact, there are many different job titles in circulation and technical services that don't involve the word librarian.

There are a lot of people who work at libraries who are not librarians.

MrsPete

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #57 on: January 29, 2014, 02:34:25 PM »
A few years ago, I was a hostess at a fancy restaurant, and it was hard work but also a lot of fun. I lost some weight running around for 25-30 hours a week, too! I was running a small business as well at the time, but if you were working only 3 nights a week or so and that was it, it wouldn't be too stressful at all.

The thing I liked about it was that it was kind of like being onstage -- you do your thing and then it's over. Also, restaurant industry people tend to be a little bit like pirates -- lots of fun to hang out with. If I didn't need much money I'd consider doing a few shifts a week again.
Interesting.  Many of my high schoolers START as hostesses, but they aspire to become servers . . . because they all say there's more money in that.  Still, if you're just looking for a few dollars as a retiree, I can see the appeal of staying in the lower paying, less-lifting job. 

Fireman

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #58 on: January 29, 2014, 02:47:41 PM »
I'll just point out, as others have, that generally you cannot be called a librarian without a MLIS or similar degree.

I actually didn't know that the title librarian required a degree in library sciences.  Mom used to head a library but her degree was in a different field so I incorrectly referred to her as the head librarian.  Thanks for the knowledge LibrarIan!

AlanStache

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #59 on: February 09, 2014, 01:14:23 PM »
Quote
Bike courier

Is a good job, personally not sure about doing it in Toronto but hay to each his own.  I did it for a few summers in collage in northern California.  You still have bad days and stress but we were all very aware that we got to be outside riding a bike all day and things really cant be that bad if you are outside riding a bike-and getting paid for it.  Cool coworkers too.

Worst part was the legal clerks at some of the court houses expected you, a-20-year-old-bike-messenger-engineering-undergrad, to fully understand the 3lb of paper you just dropped off and that you should not have even picked it up without some magenta appendix detailing sparrow migration patterns.  In those cases I would normally try to be helpful but play a little dumb and let the clerks and legal secretaries sort it out, then smile-walk outside and get back on my bike.

acroy

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #60 on: April 04, 2014, 01:24:22 PM »
I figured out a couple low investment, self-driven opportunities:

Paintless dent repair
mobile car wash/detail
Dryer duct cleaning
rain gutter cleaning
house number painting

nice, hey? "this isn't so bad, huh? Makin' bucks, gettin' exercise, workin' outside."

Thegoblinchief

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #61 on: April 04, 2014, 02:10:21 PM »
Property management is a very small side gig of mine already. I wouldn't mind growing this once the goblins are older. Probably for other people's properties.

Home inspector (mentioned above) is a nice idea. It really depends on the state you're in whether the cost of getting licensed is worth it.

Runge

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #62 on: April 04, 2014, 02:53:01 PM »
I'd say mine are (in no particular order):

-working at a brewery giving tours, taste tests, etc.
-dog walking, trainer, sitter
-house sitter (especially nice in fancypants areas. OHH COOL TOYS!)
-move to Germany and drive commuter trains around all day
-voulnteer/work at a local bike shop/co-op
-be a tour guide for wilderness hikes/kayak trips/bike tours

spoonman

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #63 on: April 04, 2014, 03:23:06 PM »
This is a great thread, lots of cool ideas.

I've worked as a library page in high school and in college.  I enjoyed putting books away because it just gave me time to think and recharge.  The job was pretty easy with few serious responsibilities.  The pay was minimal, of course, but I didn't care.  One of the perks of working there is that you become well acquainted with the entire library and know where everything is.  You also get inside information on new book arrivals.  In FI I will probably just volunteer as a library page for the fun of it.

Another thing I might consider is becoming a math tutor.  I think it would be gratifying to coach someone one-on-one and teach them my tricks.

rescuedog

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #64 on: April 04, 2014, 04:01:41 PM »
I am already working on my side project which I plan to use more in retirement.

I just got licensed as a marriage officiant!  I want to be a marriage officiant who performs intimate outdoor weddings - and I will hike, bike, ski, canoe, climb to anywhere you want to get married and right now I think I'm the only one in my entire mountain valley who does this for hire.  I am working on my website right now.  My H could help with either being a witness, provide guitar music if needed, or even taking photos, or just pour the champagne.

I don't care if it's cheesy, I really was looking for this exact thing when we were getting married.


We also considered doing AirBNB and renting out our basement.  It's a huge daylight basement with 3 bedrooms and 1 bath, private entrance.  You can select the weeks you want it open to the public, and hide weeks you are not around.

Campground hosts for national parks and forests.  They pay a daily stipend and you'd live in your RV for a couple months.

I've also considered being a home inspector too.

Sulurith

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #65 on: April 04, 2014, 04:38:46 PM »
I'm not too sure of the specifics, but good ideas are being around things that you like doing that maybe aren't the most mustachian to pursue.

I love cars and racing, but that can get very expensive very fast. If you live near a track or near rally events you can probably either volunteer as a course official or find some other paid work that would only be a weekends style gig that gets you into the 'car culture' that you want to be in but maybe can't bring yourself to shell out for

wtjbatman

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #66 on: April 05, 2014, 05:01:44 AM »
Walmart greeter

shadowmoss

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #67 on: April 05, 2014, 07:09:26 AM »
A site to give an idea of what is available:
http://www.coolworks.com/

stevewisc

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #68 on: April 05, 2014, 12:19:58 PM »

I'll just point out, as others have, that generally you cannot be called a librarian without a MLIS or similar degree. Just like you're not a doctor just because you work in a hospital, you're not a librarian just because you work in a library.

Wow.  So Tobey Maguire in Cider House Rules wasn't a surgeon, then?  Who knew!  Lionel Logue in The King's Speech was an imposter!  No qualifications!  Same for the lady I knew growing up who ran all the circulation software, responsible for cataloging & shelving, payroll, collections, repairs, subscriptions, inter-library loan management, etc.  I feel like I have been cheated......

C'mon now.  As for your analogy, I'm not sure too many custodians, cafeteria staff, gift shop staff, receptionists, nurses, etc. claim to be doctors either even though they work in a hospital.  For those who have many of the same responsibilities as a certified librarian, I don't think it is some egregious sin to label them as a librarian with respect to their duties even if they don't have a piece of fancy paper.  What do you call them?  Just a clerical worker?  How do these clerical workers explain to someone what their job is without using the L word?

I think LibrarIan's main point is that the job you'd be doing likely wouldn't be a "librarian" job, but would be called something else, and the pay would match the title, as in my earlier example. I used to work at a circulation desk while I was in school getting my degree, and I can tell you from experience that most patrons think that anyone at a public service desk who works in a library is a "librarian," and it seemed the OP of this thread was doing something similar when they wrote "be a librarian," but I can assure you that most staff don't have an advanced degree, nor is it required. It's not "some egregious sin" to mis-label someone as a librarian, but it is technically inaccurate, and all of the librarians I know like to be accurate. :D

This gets to the silliness of official licensing vs doing.  I can run a library (though maybe not a fancy government one) and be a librarian without paper degrees just like I can be an engineer by doing engineering.  However, usually the people in the guild try to make the paper seem like the big thing.   
 

stevewisc

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #69 on: April 05, 2014, 12:35:26 PM »
There are lots of people I have hired that are 'retired'  Some keys I see with any of the jobs that seem attractive to them as well as what I like about my current role:

*Extra flexible.  Be able to take of a week or two off at a time (unpaid), and way more then the ten days a year some places offer.  Be able to work the hours that suit my life 20, 30 or 40 as it fits my life.

*People that are respectful and fun to be with.  This is a big thing.  I enjoy the people I work with and even when it hits the fan we have a good time together.  This applies to 'customers' as well as co-workers.  We fire bad customers as life it to short for that crap.

*Something that to be good at.  It stinks to try to do a job that doesn't fit my strengths - if I like people, sitting in a cube crunching numbers will stink.  If I love running complex simulations - serving coffee will be annoying.

Also, contract employment for these roles is a good path.  The helps protect your flexibility and the person you are working for has a lot less commitment level to overcome and making the hire.  That sat this only applies to certain jobs as as 20hr a week on site librarian would probably have to be an employee. 

rocklebock

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #70 on: April 05, 2014, 01:01:29 PM »
Another librarian. For those still wondering what's the difference between "librarian" and "someone who works in a library" - as a librarian you generally have some responsibility for budgeting, raising money, spending the money, or some combination of the three. And there's never enough money for everything the public/patrons want you to provide, so librarians are the ones who prioritize what gets funded and what doesn't. Whee!

Non-MLS technical/clerical positions in my library pay pretty well because they're union-represented with a high classification. The people who have been around a long time are making $20+/hr. These jobs are sought-after and we've gotten 100+ applications for open positions.

The people you actually *see* at our library - the people who check your books in and out - are student workers or volunteers making $0-$10 per hour.

Carrie

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #71 on: April 05, 2014, 01:58:55 PM »
I'd like to teach improv quilting classes 1x per month (or so) at our local craftsman's guild.   I'd like to have my work in local galleries & take on the very occasional commission.  Basically, take my hobbie/very small side job to the next level.  I'll probably work towards this as my little kids (youngest is still in-utero) are all in school.  I don't see why I can't continue it through retirement.

Silverwood

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #72 on: April 05, 2014, 06:09:45 PM »
I'd work in a plant nursery. Anything with plants and animals. A hobby farm with horses and donkeys.  :) 

teen persuasion

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #73 on: April 05, 2014, 07:25:06 PM »
Another librarian. For those still wondering what's the difference between "librarian" and "someone who works in a library" - as a librarian you generally have some responsibility for budgeting, raising money, spending the money, or some combination of the three. And there's never enough money for everything the public/patrons want you to provide, so librarians are the ones who prioritize what gets funded and what doesn't. Whee!

Non-MLS technical/clerical positions in my library pay pretty well because they're union-represented with a high classification. The people who have been around a long time are making $20+/hr. These jobs are sought-after and we've gotten 100+ applications for open positions.

The people you actually *see* at our library - the people who check your books in and out - are student workers or volunteers making $0-$10 per hour.

I work in a library, too, and I'm still trying to figure out what my title is.  I think it really is different at every library.  The director calls me the children's librarian, since I handle everything from preschool storyhour to SRP to teen drama club, in addition to the usual keeping the place running stuff: circulation, website/FB/pinterest maintenance, ILLs, processing and barcoding new items, etc. We have a small staff, so we all wear a lot of hats, and no one has a MLS degree, not even the director. What would other, similar degrees be? Mine is in CSC.

I'm planning on keeping my part-time fun job at the library into our retirement, but I'd rather like to be a docent in a living history museum, too.  I might like to teach crafts to groups, as well.

kkbmustang

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #74 on: April 05, 2014, 07:35:57 PM »
Sports officials make good money.

 Tax free cash.

Um, no. It's not tax free. And you are obligated to report it as income.

Edited to add: See Internal Revenue Code Section 61(a), if you are so inclined.
« Last Edit: April 05, 2014, 08:06:33 PM by kkbmustang »

arebelspy

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #75 on: April 05, 2014, 08:05:15 PM »
Sports officials make good money.

 Tax free cash.

Um, no. It's not tax free. And you are obligated to report it as income.

I'm pretty sure the IRS has an exception for sports referring income.  Duh.

Or at least the pro-sports teams are lobbing for it.  ;)
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kkbmustang

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #76 on: April 05, 2014, 08:07:46 PM »
Sports officials make good money.

 Tax free cash.

Um, no. It's not tax free. And you are obligated to report it as income.

I'm pretty sure the IRS has an exception for sports referring income.  Duh.

Or at least the pro-sports teams are lobbing for it.  ;)

Because, of course. :)

sol

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #77 on: April 05, 2014, 08:25:43 PM »
All of the jobs mentioned thus far sound too much like work for me to do them in retirement.  Any retirement job I take on would have to be low stress and low obligation, like people would have to honor me for showing up and if they give me any shit I walk away and they beg me to come back.

With that in mind, I'd consider reffing martial arts tournaments or administering rank advancement tests.  Something where people recognize your expertise and contribution and you basically get to be in charge.

5inatrailer

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #78 on: April 05, 2014, 11:33:37 PM »
My pension allows me to go at 50 so my kids will be 20-16

I'd like to have a side hustle as a bike touring guide (italy, europe) and help my kids build stuff if thats the direction they want to go.

Of course by then looking after 2 aging boomer parents ought to keep me busy also.

BTW getting a side job to learn how to install metal roofing this summer- only on days where I feel like it and the weather isn't nuclear hot. looks interesting.

kkbmustang

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #79 on: April 06, 2014, 07:42:47 AM »
Any retirement job I take on would have to be low stress and low obligation, like people would have to honor me for showing up and if they give me any shit I walk away and they beg me to come back.


Ha! Roll out the red carpet.

AlanStache

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #80 on: April 06, 2014, 10:20:25 AM »
Quote
I'm pretty sure the IRS has an exception for sports referring income.  Duh.

Or at least the pro-sports teams are lobbing for it.  ;)

Thought the NFL was a non-profit so by all rights no one there should pay tax :-)

CarDude

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Re: List of great jobs to get as a retiree...
« Reply #81 on: April 06, 2014, 10:21:53 AM »
All of the jobs mentioned thus far sound too much like work for me to do them in retirement.  Any retirement job I take on would have to be low stress and low obligation, like people would have to honor me for showing up and if they give me any shit I walk away and they beg me to come back.

That's what I was thinking. I don't want to work badly enough to take a job that would leave me tired or unhappy at the end of the day; that's what you do on the way to retirement.