7 Unexpected Ways I Made Money in Retirement

When I first retired, I imagined slow mornings with coffee on the porch, afternoons tinkering in the garage, and weekends filled with family barbecues. And while I got plenty of that, what caught me by surprise was how quickly little expenses added up—home repairs, healthcare costs, even treats for the grandkids. I started feeling the pinch more than I expected. One afternoon, after paying for yet another unexpected plumbing fix, I sat at the kitchen table wondering how I could bring in a little extra income without going back to the daily grind. That moment pushed me to get creative, and I discovered there are more ways to make money in retirement than I ever imagined.

If you’ve ever wondered how to supplement your income without sacrificing your free time, I’ve walked that road. Today, I’m sharing seven unexpected ways I earned extra money, and five ideas you can easily try yourself.

1. Renting Out My Driveway

Jesse Zheng on Pexels

I live in a busy area where parking is a nightmare, and one day it hit me—why not rent out my empty driveway? A quick listing on a parking app, and suddenly I was making passive income from a space I wasn’t even using. Commuters, event-goers, and even neighbors were willing to pay for the convenience. It cost me nothing, but it added a nice little stream of extra cash each month.

2. Turning a Hobby Into an Online Business

Daian Gan on Pexels

I always loved painting, but I never thought of it as a way to make money. One day, I started selling small artworks online, and to my surprise, people actually bought them. What started as a passion project turned into a steady side income—and I got to do something I enjoyed. Retirement gave me the time to explore my art, and now it pays for itself (and then some).

3. House-Sitting for Travelers

Alex P on Pexels

People will gladly pay to have someone trustworthy watch their home while they travel. I signed up on a house-sitting website, and before I knew it, I was staying in beautiful homes for free—and getting paid for it. Some gigs even included pet-sitting, which was a bonus because I love animals. It felt less like a job and more like a mini vacation with extra income.

4. Selling Stock Photos

cottonbro studio on Pexels

I always enjoyed photography, but I never thought of making money from it. One day, I uploaded some of my best pictures to stock photo websites, and over time, they started selling. It wasn’t a fortune, but it was passive income that required zero extra work after the initial upload. Now, every time someone downloads one of my photos, I get paid—without lifting a finger.

5. Becoming a Local Tour Guide

Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels

I know my city like the back of my hand, so I figured, why not share that knowledge? I started leading small group tours for visitors, showing them hidden gems and local history. It was fun, easy, and a great way to meet new people while making extra cash. Plus, walking around and talking about my favorite places didn’t even feel like work.

6. Renting Out Stuff I Rarely Use

Kelly on Pexels

I had tools, camping gear, and even a spare bike just collecting dust. Instead of letting them sit unused, I started renting them out on peer-to-peer rental platforms. People who needed them for a day or two were happy to pay, and I made money without selling anything. It was the easiest side income ever—just handing over something and getting it back with cash.

7. Writing and Selling an E-Book

Perfecto Capucine on Pexels

I spent years collecting knowledge and stories, so I decided to put them into an e-book. It took some time to write, but once it was published online, it became a steady stream of passive income. Every month, people buy my book, and I make money without doing anything extra. I wish I had started writing sooner—turns out, everyone has something valuable to share.

Finding new ways to earn money in retirement wasn’t about chasing a second career—it was about making the most of my time, skills, and resources. These opportunities gave me more breathing room in the budget while keeping life flexible and enjoyable. What surprised me most was how much fun some of these side ventures turned out to be. They reminded me that it’s never too late to learn something new or find fresh ways to contribute. Here’s how you can start:

Sell unused items onlineI went through the garage and attic, listing old tools, furniture, and collectibles on local marketplaces. It decluttered our home and brought in a few hundred dollars.

Rent out part of your homeMary and I fixed up our spare bedroom and offered it on a short-term rental site. Hosting travelers occasionally brought in extra income without long-term commitment.

Take on freelance consulting workAfter years at the manufacturing plant, I offered advice to small businesses in the area. It was flexible, paid well, and let me put my experience to good use.

Tutor or mentor younger folksI started tutoring high school students in basic math and financial literacy. It wasn’t just extra cash—it felt good to pass on knowledge.

Monetize hobbiesOne summer, I built birdhouses and sold them at the local farmer’s market. It combined something I enjoyed doing with a little extra income.

Retirement doesn’t have to mean cutting back—it can be a time to get resourceful and open new doors. Start with something simple, and you might be surprised where it leads.

• Tags:
• retirement
• Money
• Income
• Sideline
• Wealth