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7 Ways to Find Part-Time Work in Retirement

By U.S. News & World Report

There are many reasons to keep working after retirement. Of course, there’s the money. But beyond that, it’s something that gets you out of bed in the morning — a place to go, a schedule to keep and a routine to anchor your life. You may also want the social interaction you find at work, and perhaps the sense of accomplishment for a job well done.

Nearly three quarters of employed Americans plan to keep working after normal retirement age, according to a 2017 Gallup poll. But most people (63 percent) don’t want a full-time job. They don’t want the stress, and they sure don’t want to spend all day in a workplace with a poisonous atmosphere. And that’s one great aspect of a retirement job: You have the freedom to quit if you don’t like it, because you’re not dependent on the job to support your family.

[See: 10 Jobs Hiring Older Workers.]

Here are seven ideas for working in retirement:

1. Seasonal work. Many retirees work in retail shops for the Christmas season. It can be hectic with the crowds who aren’t always nice. But there’s a festive atmosphere around the holidays, and the job is over in January. Seasonal work is not limited to Christmas. Some people work summer jobs, perhaps at a golf course or day camp, while others work during their local tourist season. Snowbird retirees can work in the north in the summer, in the south in the winter and take a few weeks off between each job.

2. The gig economy. Working as an Uber or Lyft driver allows you to earn some extra money and perhaps enjoy some conversation with clients, but you don’t have to work that often. That’s the beauty of the gig economy. You can work as much, or as little, as you want. You set your own hours around your own needs and your own schedule.

3. Make money from your hobby. Many people sell their crafts or artwork on Etsy. Consider a former high school art teacher who now has a pottery studio in her daughter’s old bedroom and sells her wares at local stores and regional craft shows, or a retiree who set up a woodworking shop in his basement and sells his products to friends and through local stores. These jobs aren’t likely to generate a lot of money, but they make some and double as a hobby.

[Read: 10 Resume Mistakes That Make You Look Old.]

4. Turn a skill into a business. Some retirees are able to market their skills in new ways. One retired librarian started out volunteering as a tutor at a community college and now has a paying job there, three days a week. Those who know how to complete home repairs can find work hanging doors, painting rooms and doing standard fix-it jobs. An added bonus: You will meet lots of new people around town who appreciate the help.

5. Be an entrepreneur. Opening your home to travelers via Airbnb or other vacation websites allows you to effectively run your own bed and breakfast. Depending on your interests, you could start a dog walking business, a home cleaning service or set yourself up as a home decorating consultant.

6. Work in your community. There’s no more convenient commute than walking down to your corner supermarket to work as a checkout clerk for a few hours. This simple job gets you out of the house, allows you to earn enough to cover a few household expenses and gives you the opportunity to meet new neighbors. If you’re not yet eligible for Medicare, check out some companies such as Costco, Starbucks or UPS that under certain circumstances offer health insurance and other benefits to part-time employees.

[Read: 7 Tips to Maintain Social Connections in Retirement.]

7. Be a consultant. Many retirees still have contacts from their former business or profession and enough expertise to be useful. Some people go back and work part-time at their old company. Other retirees find different opportunities to ply their trade, often in the nonprofit sector. There’s no better feeling than knowing you’re helping people out and making a little extra money in the process.

Tom Sightings is the author of “You Only Retire Once” and blogs at Sightings at 60.

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7 Ways to Find Part-Time Work in Retirement originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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