Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
Ever buy a Groupon or other daily deal voucher you never used? You have several options: write off the money you spent as a loss, try to sell the coupon on eBay or Craigslist, or take a more targetted approach, thanks to a handful of websites that have recently sprung up to act as a secondary market for those vouchers.
Some charge fees sell your coupons, while others act as free services similar to Craigslist. In many cases you can end up getting face value for your voucher – it would be as if you never bought it in the first place.
“A lot of times people miss out on a deal or bought something they didn’t use,” so creating a secondary market made sense, says Yael Gavish, the chief executive officer of San Francisco, Calif.-based Lifesta.
Lifesta, which launched in July, charges sellers $0.99 and 8% of the sale price on any voucher that gets sold. The process is simple: You upload your coupon and Lifesta sells it for you. You get paid through Amazon Payments, a service similar to PayPal. The money is deposited into your Amazon account as soon as Lifesta is paid. You can then either get the money transferred to your banking account or use it toward Amazon.com purchases.
Lifesta doesn’t impose any restrictions on how you price the voucher, but Gavish says that most sellers post the amount they paid for it, or less if it’s about to expire.
Buyers on Lifesta are also protected. The company offers a sixty-day money back guarantee in case the voucher is fake or has already been used. (It is largely thanks to that guarantee, Gavish says, that Lifesta resells a lot of pricey deals, like sky diving coupons and expensive hair treatments.)
So far, tens of thousands of dollars worth of deals have been uploaded to and sold on Lifesta. The website operates nationwide.
Pay for protection
Chicago, Ill.-based DealsGoRound started out as a free service similar Craigslist, simply connecting buyers and sellers online, but leaving them to make all arrangements of the actual sale. Recently, the website switched to a model in which it facilitates the sale.
“You see something on the site, you buy it and get the email certificate in seconds,” says Kris Petersen, the founder and chief executive officer of DealsGoRound. “There’s no real communications between the buyer and the seller. Once you post you don’t even know who buys it.”
DealsGoRound, which uses PayPal to pay sellers, takes a 10% commission from each sale and has a sixty-day refund policy, but Peterson says in the ten months it has acted as a reseller it has not had even one problem with a voucher. The company has more than 1,000 users and is available nationwide. According to Petersen, vouchers are posted from about 50 different daily deal websites.
While the resellers don’t need the permission of the daily deal websites to resell the vouchers, Petersen says he did contact them when he first launched the service in response to being stuck with unused vouchers for a Segway tour. The result: nothing.
“The most common response was no response,” says Petersen. “The smaller daily deal websites were excited about it.”
CoupRecoup lets you sell for free
CoupRecoup, out of San Francisco, Calif., doesn’t charge users a fee to sell their vouchers, but it also doesn’t provide a money back guarantee or get involved in the sale process at all. Katherine Woo, co-founder of CoupRecoup, says the website was started after she tried to sell a daily deal on Craigslist and got no response.
Unlike the other websites in that space, CoupRecoup doesn’t generate profits. “It’s a public service,” says Woo. “It’s free.” Sellers list their vouchers and then make their own arrangements to meet an interested buyer and complete the transaction. You can set your own price, but there is also an option to accept the best offer.
CoupRecoup is currently available in 62 cities and will add additional ones if there is demand. Woo says the company doesn’t charge money because users haven’t been clamoring for buyer protection. “It’s a pretty low-key model that’s working well,” she says.
Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
Previous Post
The Solution to Your Parking Frustrations: Market-Rate Pricing?
Next Post
For Restaurant Deals, Tap Your Phone Screen: 7 Apps for…
Browse Related Articles
Are Groupons Really a Great Deal?
Saving 101
How To Save on Halloween Costumes
Financial Planning
Don’t Let Companies Cheat You: 5 Steps to Keeping…
As Daily Deals Go National, Will They Get Less Generous…
Saving 101
Next Stop For Daily Deals: Social Networking and Custom…
Saving 101
Power of The Masses: Your Guide to Group Buying Website…
Social Buying Sites: Altering the Holiday Shopping Dyna…
Saving 101
Finding Deals at the Farmers’ Market
Zeroing In On Niche Daily Deal Websites: Adventure Trav…
The More, the Merrier: The Power of Group-Buying Websit…
Graduating from college is a huge accomplishment, so of course you want to honor the young scholar in your life. Just think of all the places their lives will take them!
There’s just one problem: You know that stereotype about broke college students? That’s not going to change for a while after graduation. They’ve got to find a job (which is sometimes much easier said than done), locate a place to live, and get started on being a grown-up. That’s tough to do when you’re starting from scratch.
But that’s where you come in! If you’ve got a friend or family member who’s graduating, we’ve got some gift ideas to help them embark on post-college life:
1. For the job they’ll have
When people graduate, suddenly their lives become focused solely on finding a job. You can help with that by giving gifts they’ll be able to use as a young professional.
Clothing or accessories appropriate for interviews or workdays will be much appreciated – every interviewee wants to look polished and professional to help their chances of landing and keeping a job.
A resume service could be very useful – there’s an art to creating a resume that will catch the eye of potential employers. There are plenty of services all around that offer advice on making any resume effective.
Likewise, a session with an interview coach could help a recent grad land the perfect job. Anyone can use a few pointers on how to conduct themselves in an interview so they’ll make a great first impression.
Finally, a nice briefcase or laptop bag is the perfect accessory for an interview or day in the office.
Moving after graduation? Check out our infographic: Top 10 Cities for College Grads: Post-Graduation Moving Trends.
2. For the money they’ll make
Many people consider graduation a great time to start thinking about the future. In that vein, why not set up or contribute to a Roth IRA for your recent graduate? They’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness now, but they’ll be especially happy when it comes time to retire and they have a nice little nest egg, partially funded by you.
Many young people are overwhelmed at the choices in front of them when it comes to investing and saving money. Surely they’d appreciate some financial advice as a gift – you could sit down with a recent grad and give them some one-to-one advice, or if you’re no expert yourself, a nice book could do the trick.
Need some book recommendations? We’ve got them: The Top 5 Personal Finance Books.
3. For the home they’ll create
After college, it’s time to get some real kitchen accessories – no more drinking out of plastic Solo cups.
Any graduate will appreciate some grown-up glassware for nights in with friends and family.
You could also buy someone a starter set for the kitchen – a few place settings, pots, pans and utensils. It doesn’t have to be fancy stuff; durable everyday kitchenware is an uber-practical gift.
Anyone with their own place – male or female – needs a few tools as well. Consider giving a small toolbox with some basic necessities: Hammer, screwdriver, pliers, wrench. These starter tools will help your young friend hang pictures on the wall, do minor maintenance tasks, and learn to become more self-sufficient.
Looking for cooking tools? We have recommendations for The Best Kitchenware on a Budget.
4. For the places they’ll go
Many graduates dream of traveling the world, either for their jobs or in their vacation time. There are many fun, inexpensive accessories you can give as gifts to support that dream:
Passport holders make great presents, as well as travel logs for them to document their many upcoming adventures.
If your recent grad loves vintage accessories, an atlas might make them happy – there’s something romantic about plotting a trip on paper instead of online.
If they prefer the digital life, gift them with iTunes or Amazon gift cards so they can download music and audio books to keep them entertained on their travels.
If you know someone who’s traveling, you might share The Benefits of Renting Vs. Staying in a Hotel.
Congratulations to all the college graduates out there! What would you like to receive as gifts?
This year, I learned a lot about money. I think the biggest breakthrough I had in 2013 was to connect the ideas of personal and financial freedom. I spent a week in Ecuador talking with folks about this subject, and then I spent a couple of months putting my thoughts onto paper. I’ve done a lot of writing and thinking and speaking on this topic.
But you know what? I’ve come to realize that the essentials of financial independence can be boiled down to just a single page.
What is Financial Freedom?
Financial Independence occurs when you’ve saved enough to support you for the rest of your life without needing to work for money. You might choose to work for other purposes — such as passion and purpose — but you no longer need an income to meet your expenses.
To achieve Financial Independence as quickly as possible, follow the basic rule of personal finance: To build wealth, you must spend less than you earn. But instead of heeding the standard advice to save 10 percent or 20 percent of your income, practice extreme saving. Your goal should be to save at least 50 percent of your income — and 70 percent is better.
How to Achieve Financial Freedom
To do this, conduct a three-pronged attack.
To begin, minimize your spending. Because a handful of expenses consume most of your budget, pursue these first (and with the greatest vigor).
Choose a home in an area with a low cost of living. Reject the advice to “buy as much home as you can afford.” Buy as little as you need. Take out a small mortgage at a low interest rate. Repay it as quickly as possible. Don’t be afraid to rent.
Reduce your use of motor vehicles. Walk, bike, or take the bus.
Prefer used instead of new.
If you can, do home projects or grow food yourself.
Self-insure whenever possible.
Spend purposefully.
Avoid debt.
Next, maximize your income. It’s great to cut expenses and develop thrifty habits, but there’s only so much fat you can trim. In theory, there’s no limit to how much you can earn.
Finally, funnel your savings into investment accounts. Take advantage of employer- and government-sponsored plans first. Then put your money into regular investment accounts. Don’t get fancy. Invest your money into low-cost diversified mutual funds. Ideally, choose a total-market index fund. Ignore financial news. Ignore the fluctuations of the market. Ignore everyone. Keep investing in good times and bad.
If you follow these three steps, you will become rich.
Staying Financially Independent
As you work and earn and save, keep score. Track your spending. Each January, conduct a review. How much did you spend during the previous year? How much are your investments worth? Have you saved enough to retire?
To determine whether you can retire, use the following assumptions:
You’ll spend as much in the future as you do now. (In reality, most people spend less. But go with this.)
You can safely withdraw about 4 percent of your savings each year and your portfolio will maintain its value against inflation. During market downturns, you may have to withdraw as little as 3 percent. During flush times, you might allow yourself 5 percent. But 4 percent is generally safe.
Based on these assumptions, there’s a quick way to check whether retirement is within reach.
Multiply your current expenses by 25. If the product is greater than your savings, you still have work to do. If the result is less than your savings, you’ve achieved Financial Independence. (If you’re conservative and/or have low risk tolerance, multiply your expenses by 33 before comparing the product to your savings.)
That’s it. That’s all you need to know. That’s the sum total of everything I’ve learned about early retirement over the past decade.
Originally founded as Social Finance in 2011 to help borrowers manage student loan debt, SoFi started offering mortgages in 2014. Today, the company has funded more than $50 billion in loans, which include everything from wedding loans to auto loan refinancing. The company offers a wide range of services including investing, credit cards and checking accounts for more than 4 million members. Those interested in and eligible for a mortgage can prequalify online in less than two minutes. The lender typically issues conditional approvals in one to two business days, with closings on purchases currently averaging 30 days.
Breakdown of SoFi overall score
Affordability: As an online lender, SoFi’s mortgage rates are very competitive. Notably, you’ll pay a flat lender fee instead of a percentage-based fee. Depending on the price of your home, this might mean you save some money.
Availability: SoFi lends to borrowers in the majority of states in the U.S. It has limited mortgage options, however, and requires a higher down payment (unless you’re a first-time homebuyer).
Borrower experience: SoFi is a membership-driven company that does business primarily online, so you can expect convenience when working with this lender. You’ll need to become a member to take full advantage of some of its perks, however.
Affordability: 5/5
SoFi updates its 10-year, 15-year, 20-year and 30-year APRs daily on its website. All publicly advertised rates assume you’re making a 20 percent down payment, however. To get loan offers tailored to your situation, you’ll need to provide some contact information and other details via an online form.
SoFi charges a $1,495 administration fee, according to a company spokesperson, but SoFi members get $500 off this cost. (Membership is free.)
Note: You can lock in your rate with SoFi for 90 days at the time you’re preapproved. However, if you don’t enter into a purchase agreement by day 60 of the 90-day window, you’ll be subject to a $250 fee. This’ll be refunded at closing. On the plus side, if you do sign a purchase agreement by day 30 of the 90-day period, you’ll get a 0.125 percent further discount on your rate.
Availability: 5/5
While SoFi is licensed to lend mortgages in most states, it only offers conforming and non-conforming (jumbo) conventional loans; it doesn’t offer government-backed products like FHA loans. To qualify, you’ll need a credit score of at least 620 and a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of no more than 50 percent. If you’re an eligible first-time homebuyer, you can get a conventional loan for as little as 3 percent down. If it’s not your first home, however, you’ll need to put down 5 percent, at minimum.
Borrower experience: 4.7/5
SoFi has been providing mortgages since 2014, originating more than $6 billion in loan volume on that front to date. While the company isn’t accredited by the Better Business Bureau, it does have an A+ rating from the organization, along with “Great” reviews from Trustpilot.
SoFi is a digitally-focused company, and its mobile app is in the top 100 finance apps in the Apple App Store. You can complete the entire application for a mortgage online; there’s also a Home Loan Help Center with calculators, insights into local housing markets and other information to help with the home-buying process. If you need help with your loan at any point, you can call 833-408-7634 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, or Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT.
Refinancing with SoFi
You can refinance your current mortgage with SoFi. With a traditional refinance, you only need to have 5 percent equity in the home. For a cash-out refinance, you’ll need at least 20 percent equity.
The company also offers student loan cash-out refinances, which allow you to pay off your student debt and refinance your mortgage at the same time. You’ll need to do the math to determine if that move would actually save you money in the long run. Existing SoFi members can save $500 on refinancing costs.
Alternatives to SoFi
Methodology
Bankrate’s expert editorial team collects lender information through a variety of methods. We contact lenders directly, and we also turn to regulatory filings and to assessments by third parties. Our research takes into account three main factors – affordability, availability and borrower experience.
Bankrate’s reporters and editors have decades of experience covering the mortgage industry. They’re skilled at gathering information through interviews and by scouring regulatory filings. Bankrate evaluates more than 85 lenders for factors relating to affordability, availability and customer experience, assigning each a Bankrate Score out of five stars. Here’s how we assess each of the categories:
Affordability. Loan cost is a deciding factor for many borrowers. We look at two metrics: 1) a lender’s lowest advertised annual percentage rate (APR) based on Bankrate’s sample scenario, which assumes a 740 or higher credit score and a 20 percent down payment, among other factors and 2) established-customer discounts or incentive pricing, when applicable.
Availability. Another factor is how quickly your loan application will be approved, and how many loan programs the lender offers. So we evaluate approval and closing timelines and diversity of loan products.
Customer experience. Finally, we delve into what it’s like to deal with the lender as a consumer. We look at the lender’s application process and availability of customer service support. We also consider the results of J.D. Power’s 2022 Mortgage Origination Satisfaction Survey.
Bankrate’s editorial team confirms the accuracy of data at the time of publication. Our team is dedicated to maintaining the timeliness of information – the mortgage industry is changing constantly, so we regularly revisit these reviews to update them.
Bankrate’s methodology page spells out our rating process in greater detail.
In my previous post, I listed three things you need to start investing. Number three was opportunities. Sometimes those opportunities are unique, one-off types of things; however, they can just as easily be something that’s always been out there but you just weren’t aware of them because you weren’t paying attention to investing.
Let’s explore one of those little-known opportunities — one that’s legit, good, and yet often overlooked because it’s a little, well, boring. It’s name, DRIP, doesn’t help either.
DRIP stands for Dividend Reinvestment Program. Simply put, participating companies (and there are hundreds) allow you to use the dividends you earn from them to buy stock directly from the company for little or no commission. (That’s how you reinvest your dividends.)
Actually, it’s not only the companies that offer DRIPs. DRIPs can be run by their stock transfer agents or brokerages. In my case, I use the Etrade’s DRIP program. A DRIP is a set-it-and-forget-it kind of operation, so it doesn’t matter too much who does it.
Related >> How to Get Started Investing
The DRIP Keeps Good Company
DRIPs share a unique corner of the investing space with a few other concepts. The cornerstone of this space is blue-chip stocks. Who hasn’t heard of blue-chip stocks? But what exactly is a blue-chip stock? Can you name, say, five of them off the top of your head? Tricky, isn’t it?
Here is arguably the best investment of all, and most of us simply don’t know all that much about it! That’s because there isn’t a definitive list of the 23 or 57 stocks that make up the “official blue-chip list.”
The closest approximation, and the one probably used most often, is the Dividend Aristocrats. Most blue-chip stocks pay dividends. And only the cream can sustain growing their dividend each year for 25 years or more, through no less than three stock market crashes. (Where were you 25 years ago? That long.) Those few are the Dividend Aristocrats. At the time of writing, there are 51, listed here. Even when the stock market crashes, the dividends keep growing. And, with a DRIP in place, the only effect of a crash is you get more shares. And when the market recovers, like it always does, that puts you in the pound seats, as they say in the Colonies.
Most blue-chip (and other) companies offer a program called a DSPP, which stands for a Direct Stock Purchase Program. A DSPP allows you to buy a few shares from the company itself, not through a broker. That’s right — if you want to invest $25 per month, for example, you can buy shares directly from blue-chip companies like Walmart, for way less in commissions than you would have paid a broker. Most companies’ DRIPs are part of their DSPPs. While DSPP stock purchases typically carry a small fee, most companies do DRIPs for free.
So here’s how all those concepts fit together: The safest stock investments (as a group) are the blue-chip companies called Dividend Aristocrats. If you sign up for their DSPP programs, you can buy into those companies with small amounts each month, for next to nothing in commissions/fees. And if you sign up for their DRIP, you can turn your cash dividends into more shares for no fees or commissions.
Why Do It?
1. You can save money
The low/no commission thing is not trivial. Most discount brokerages will do a purchase for nothing under about $7. If you want to invest, say, $50 a month, the commission alone will eat up 14 percent of your investment. Ghastly. Sign up with, say, Becton, Dickinson (amazing how unknown some blue-chip Dividend Aristocrats are, huh?) and they will charge you zero fees to buy with a DSPP or DRIP. They will charge you $15 per transaction when you sell, though. Almost all DSPP/DRIP companies are linked to Computershare, so that’s a good place to get started. (Good news: They cover many countries besides the U.S.)
2. You can start small
Many people say they’ll begin investing when they get windfalls. The smart ones, however, don’t wait; they start early. Problem with that is the amounts they have to work with are usually small — young-people money. As I wrote earlier, that was my big problem (at least, that’s what I told myself at the time). I would have been a lot better off had I known about DRIPs, because this is where they shine: you can invest as little as $25 per month. And if the company’s stock is, say, $40 a share, they will sell you a fraction of a share — and pay dividends on that fraction! I’m an avid DRIPper, which is why I now have exactly 606.08274 shares of one of my DRIP stocks. That will change in a few weeks as the first quarter’s dividends come in and add a few more shares (and a few more fractions) to that total.
3. It’s automatic
All the smart personal finance coaches tell you to automate. Have the money deducted out of your account, preferably before you even know it’s there. The human brain has an amazing knack to adjust to what’s there. That’s why most people who say they’ll save “what’s left over” never save anything. Most DSPP and/or DRIP plans require an automated, regularly recurring purchase in order to qualify for the low fees. That’s because computers are cheaper than humans — if they can automate the whole thing, they save money and pass it on to you.
And the long-term benefit is all yours.
What Holds People Back?
1. Ignorance.
It’s amazing how many people simply don’t know about DRIPs.
2. It’s not diversified.
Unlike a mutual fund or ETF, you only invest in one company at a time. However, you don’t pay mutual fund or ETF fees, and you can buy smaller amounts that many of those places require. That means you get most of the benefits with none of the cost. Moreover, because you can buy small amounts at each company, you can make up a portfolio of, say, five to 10 companies.
3. It takes time to set up.
And no two companies’ plans are identical. I opted for a brokerage DRIP because they did everything. All I had to do was say, “Yes, please.”
Where Do You Begin?
1. Decide if you even want to do this. DRIP investing is a long-haul thing. If you buy and sell stocks all the time, the savings won’t be worth it for you. DRIPs are perfect for those want to let their dividends be part of the growth of the stock they invest in.
2. Research. Because you’re picking a handful of companies, you want to spend at least 20 or 30 minutes looking at the company itself. Blue chips may be the best investment out there, but they’re still not perfect. Nothing is. A little homework goes a long way.
Google the search terms DRIP, and Dividend Aristocrat, and browse through the Computershare website (link above).
In closing, I’ve been a DRIPper for quite a while now, and I can recommend it as a solid, long-term investment strategy to anyone. Those dividends come in, and the number of shares you own just grows and grows and grows.
What has your experience been with DRIP investing? Would you recommend it too?
This guest post is from Naomi Mannino. Naomi is a freelance consumer personal finance and health journalist who reports on health, medical and personal finance news and how it will affect your life today. You can follow Naomi on Twitter @naomimannino.
Some reader stories contain general advice; others are examples of how a GRS reader achieved financial success or failure. These stories feature folks with all levels of financial maturity and income.
Can you really buy a house at auction on the courthouse steps for $100? Do you have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars as the house-flipping guys do on TV?
My husband and I have just recently achieved our long-time goal of buying a foreclosed house, turning it into a rental property and creating a steady stream of income from the monthly rent we collect (at 17 percent profit on the initial cash investment every year). It’s neither quick nor easy, but it is a viable investment solution if you meet the five requirements below.
1. You Need Cash
I came into a small inheritance and thought hard about what to do with the money. I don’t know enough about the stock market, so I stayed away from that. Then there’s the low interest yet tried-and-true 5-year CD ladder I opened. But my husband and I have always wanted to buy a foreclosure on the courthouse steps and now we finally had the chance. Every county is a little different, but one thing is a constant in all foreclosure auctions: Cash is king, as certified funds are required usually within 24 hours of winning the bid and making any initial deposits required.
2. You Need Experience
We are not newcomers to buying houses at a low price, renovating them over a number of years and then selling at a higher price. My husband is a carpentry contractor, skilled in all the building trades, so we do all the work ourselves. That means we can look at a property and calculate in our heads time and expenses necessary to make the house desirable and rentable. We only want houses with good bones on a nice family street. They are not large and upscale and do not require granite counter tops and stainless-steel appliances (in fact, the best place to get the best appliances for less is to buy used through Craigslist.org).
We don’t need to pay for inspections, surveys or other contractors unless it is for HVAC (air conditioning/heating) or septic system repair or replacement. We have learned this through small mistakes and overspending on the past five houses. Now we have a formula for choosing tile, vanities, cabinets, roof shingles, paint colors, and carpet because we have done this all before and know what works. If you have to hire contractors, you will pay twice as much or more for the entire renovation. (Foreclosure homes are usually severely neglected, if not destroyed, and need a lot of renovation.)
In terms of the foreclosure auction itself, we had no experience, so we agreed we should attend many auctions and just watch how it works, learn what the rules are and who the major players are in our small county. Every county has seasoned investors who know exactly what they are doing, and it pays to watch and learn from them. I have learned to stay away from the big city auctions with deep-pocketed investor groups who buy up tons of houses, because you really can’t win a bid against them. In my small county, where you can pick up a 1,000-square-foot 2- or 3-bedroom house for $20,000 to $40,000 to flip or to hold and rent, there are just five regular investors plus us, all with different interests and focus areas.
3. You Need to Research, Research, Research
Our county publishes a twice-weekly list of the properties to be sold at the foreclosure auction held each Tuesday and Thursday at 11 a.m. A large portion of our time each week is spent physically viewing the properties and researching them online or in the courthouse books. We never skip these steps.
After you identify a few houses in your chosen location or size range, research each offered property’ssales and tax history, as well as its current assessed value on the County Property Appraiser’s website, which are all public record. Note these details for the properties in which you are interested.
Next, research each property owner (also listed on the County Appraiser’s property record page) online via the County Clerk of Courts Public Record Search because whatever that the owner owes regarding that property outside of the loans (liens, back taxes, etc.), you will owe when you purchase a foreclosure home.
Finally, physically go and see each home you might be interested in (we never buy a property sight-unseen.) We’ve made the decision to stick to houses in our city proper so we are intimately familiar with the neighborhoods, not traveling more than a seven-mile radius from our home. We create a map of five or so houses that suit our specific purposes, and then we use our smartphone navigation to get us from house to house. From the outside, you can see the state of the roof, house structure, land, doors and windows and can look inside through any clear windows. Many times houses are so distressed they are open, in which case we can identify pros and cons regarding the inside: kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, lighting, air handler, walls and ceilings (but you didn’t hear that from me!). Bring a flashlight.
4. You Need to Know the Opening Bid
People get the idea they can buy a house at auction for $100 because they have heard that someone “bid on behalf of the plaintiff (the bank) for $100.” But auction buyers cannot counter the bank bid at $150 dollars. Instead, you need to start the bidding at the acceptable opening bid amount for each property, which is the lowest amount the bank is willing to accept for a property at the auction that day. And you can get this number by simply asking the bank reps, who are all at the sale. Getting to know these guys and gals on a first-name basis makes things even easier. Once you hear this number you will need to evaluate on the spot whether purchasing the property is financially feasible given your cash budget, current market conditions, the research you did on the property and your personal criteria and plan for the investment.
Just because the property is offered for sale at public auction doesn’t always mean it’s a good deal. Often, the opening bid equals the judgment amount (the money the bank is trying to recover) or more and includes the original purchase price or mortgage plus a second mortgage, other home equity loans, interest and legal fees. The opening bid is ridiculously high compared with its current assessed value. These high-priced properties revert back to the bank because nobody bids on them. What you are looking for is an opening bid way below the current assessed value, and these are few and far between.
We can afford to bid a couple of thousand higher than a flipper — an investor who plans to renovate and sell quickly, who needs every bit of profit he can muster out of each house now. I was told that’s how we won our first bid later by the flipper bidding against us.
5. How to Bid
Make sure you arrive early enough on auction day to go to the correct county courthouse office to register as a bidder and receive your bidder’s number card. Leave time to approach each bank rep for the opening bid necessary for properties you might want.
When the auctioneer (the county courthouse employee whose job it is to administer the weekly foreclosure sale) arrives at the sale site, he or she will announce some specific rules about deposits for a winning bid. Then things move quickly. When the auctioneer announces a property (by case number, not by address) you want to bid on, hold up your bidder’s card and announce your opening bid. The auctioneer will repeat it and then open it to other bidders to counter. I learned from a very seasoned investor to only raise the bid by $50 each time. He says, “There’s no sense in bidding it up for myself or the other guy by going hundreds or thousands at a time. I work too hard for my money.” Always have a ceiling in mind, and stick to it. If it goes higher, drop out.
After lurking on the edge of the auctions for about two months, we were finally ready to jump in with both feet. We got a bidder’s card, talked to the bank reps and found out that one house we saw and researched had an opening bid within our budget and under the assessed value of the home — so we bid on it! Two other investors counter-bid a few times, but we won the bid and got our first house at the foreclosure auction.
But I must warn you: The fast pace of the auction and hopeful thoughts of steady, slow investment income can be addicting despite all the work involved! Any questions? Have you ever participated in a property auction?
A variety of significant mortgage rates trended upward over the last seven days. The average interest rates for both 15-year fixed and 30-year fixed mortgages both saw an increase. For variable rates, the 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage also notched higher.
On the heels of cooling inflation, the Federal Reserve announced on May 3 a 25-basis-point increase to its benchmark short-term interest rate. The Fed’s May meeting marks what could be the last increase we see for the time being. The central bank has signaled that it may soon be time to pause on rate hikes. Depending on incoming inflation data, the next step would be to hold rates where they are for an extended period of time in order to bring inflation down to its 2% target.
As long as inflation continues to trend downward, experts say a pause in rate hikes from the Fed could bring some stability to today’s volatile mortgage rate market.
Mortgages hit a 20-year high in late 2022, but now the macroeconomic environment is changing again. Rates dipped significantly in January before climbing back up in February. Throughout March and April, rates fluctuated in the 6% range.
“Ultimately, more certainty about the Fed’s actions will help to smooth out some of the volatility we have seen with mortgage rates,” says Odeta Kushi, deputy chief economist at First American Financial Corporation.
While rates don’t directly track changes to the federal funds rate, they do respond to inflation. Overall, inflation remains high but has been slowly but consistently falling every month since it peaked in June 2022.
After raising rates dramatically in 2022, the Fed opted for smaller, 25-basis-point rate increases in its first three meetings of 2023. The decision to hike by 0.25% on May 3 suggests that inflation is cooling and the central bank may soon be able to pause its rate hiking regime. While the central bank is unlikely to cut rates any time soon, positive signaling from the Fed and cooling inflation may ease some of the upward pressure on mortgage rates.
“If inflation keeps coming down, that will be the biggest driver, outside of the Fed, that’s really going to help bring rates down to a better level and improve affordability for home buyers,” says Scott Haymore, head of capital markets and mortgage pricing at TD Bank.
However, mortgage rates remain well above where they were a year ago. Fewer buyers are willing to jump into the housing market, driving demand down and causing home prices in some regions to ease, but that’s only part of the home affordability equation.
“Even though home prices in many parts of the country have fallen since the start of the year, high rates make buying prohibitively expensive for many,” says Jacob Channel, senior economist at loan marketplace LendingTree. It’s still difficult for many buyers, particularly those looking for their first home, to afford a monthly payment.
What does this mean for homebuyers this year? Mortgage rates are likely to decrease slightly in 2023, although they’re highly unlikely to return to the rock-bottom levels of 2020 and 2021. However, rate volatility may continue for some time. “Expect mortgage rates to yo-yo up and down in the first half of the year, at least until there is a consensus about when the Fed will conclude raising interest rates,” says Greg McBride, CFA and chief financial analyst at Bankrate. (Like CNET Money, Bankrate is owned by Red Ventures.) McBride expects rates to fall more consistently as the year progresses. “Thirty-year fixed mortgage rates will end the year near 5.25%,” he predicts.
Rather than worrying about market mortgage rates, homebuyers should focus on what they can control: getting the best rate they can for their situation.
“The most important thing is that they find the right home. The second most important thing is obviously to find the most efficient way to finance it,” says Melissa Cohn, regional vice president of William Raveis Mortgage.
Take steps to improve your credit score and save for a down payment to increase your odds of qualifying for the lowest rate available. Also, be sure to compare the rates and fees from multiple lenders to get the best deal. Looking at the annual percentage rate, or APR, will show you the total cost of borrowing and help you compare apples to apples.
30-year fixed-rate mortgages
The 30-year fixed-mortgage rate average is 7.04%, which is an increase of 15 basis points from seven days ago. (A basis point is equivalent to 0.01%.) Thirty-year fixed mortgages are the most common loan term. A 30-year fixed rate mortgage will usually have a smaller monthly payment than a 15-year one — but usually a higher interest rate. Although you’ll pay more interest over time — you’re paying off your loan over a longer timeframe — if you’re looking for a lower monthly payment, a 30-year fixed mortgage may be a good option.
15-year fixed-rate mortgages
The average rate for a 15-year, fixed mortgage is 6.42%, which is an increase of 18 basis points compared to a week ago. Compared to a 30-year fixed mortgage, a 15-year fixed mortgage with the same loan value and interest rate will have a larger monthly payment. But a 15-year loan will usually be the better deal, as long as you can afford the monthly payments. You’ll usually get a lower interest rate, and you’ll pay less interest in total because you’re paying off your mortgage much quicker.
5/1 adjustable-rate mortgages
A 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage has an average rate of 5.87%, an uptick of 8 basis points from seven days ago. You’ll usually get a lower interest rate (compared to a 30-year fixed mortgage) with a 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage in the first five years of the mortgage. However, you may end up paying more after that time, depending on the terms of your loan and how the rate adjusts with the market rate. Because of this, an adjustable-rate mortgage could be a good option if you plan to sell or refinance your house before the rate changes. Otherwise, changes in the market mean your interest rate may be much higher once the rate adjusts.
Mortgage rate trends
Mortgage rates were historically low throughout most of 2020 and 2021 but increased steadily throughout 2022. Now, mortgage rates are roughly twice what they were a year ago, pushed up by persistently high inflation. That high inflation prompted the Fed to raise its target federal funds rate seven times in 2022. By raising rates, the Fed makes it more expensive to borrow money and more appealing to keep money in savings, suppressing demand for goods and services.
Mortgage interest rates don’t move in lockstep with the Fed’s actions in the same way that, say, rates for a home equity line of credit do. But they do respond to inflation. As a result, cooling inflation data and positive signals from the Fed will influence mortgage rate movement more than the most recent 25-basis-point rate hike.
We use data collected by Bankrate to track changes in these daily rates. This table summarizes the average rates offered by lenders nationwide:
Current average mortgage interest rates
Loan type
Interest rate
A week ago
Change
30-year fixed rate
7.04%
6.89%
+0.15
15-year fixed rate
6.42%
6.24%
+0.18
30-year jumbo mortgage rate
7.09%
6.93%
+0.16
30-year mortgage refinance rate
7.12%
7.03%
+0.09
Rates as of May 22, 2023.
How to find personalized mortgage rates
You can get a personalized mortgage rate by reaching out to your local mortgage broker or using an online calculator. Make sure to consider your current financial situation and your goals when looking for a mortgage.
Things that affect the mortgage rate you might get include: your credit score, down payment, loan-to-value ratio and your debt-to-income ratio. Having a higher credit score, a larger down payment, a low DTI, a low LTV or any combination of those factors can help you get a lower interest rate.
Apart from the mortgage interest rate, factors including closing costs, fees, discount points and taxes might also affect the cost of your house. Be sure to speak with multiple lenders — such as local and national banks, credit unions and online lenders — and comparison-shop to find the best loan for you.
What is a good loan term?
One important thing to consider when choosing a mortgage is the loan term, or payment schedule. The loan terms most commonly offered are 15 years and 30 years, although you can also find 10-, 20- and 40-year mortgages. Mortgages are further divided into fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages. The interest rates in a fixed-rate mortgage are stable for the duration of the loan. Unlike a fixed-rate mortgage, the interest rates for an adjustable-rate mortgage are only set for a certain amount of time (commonly five, seven or 10 years). After that, the rate changes annually based on the market rate.
When deciding between a fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgage, you should consider how long you plan to stay in your home. Fixed-rate mortgages might be a better fit for people who plan on staying in a home for a while. Fixed-rate mortgages offer more stability over time in comparison to adjustable-rate mortgages, but adjustable-rate mortgages might offer lower interest rates upfront. If you aren’t planning to keep your new house for more than three to 10 years, though, an adjustable-rate mortgage may give you a better deal. There is no best loan term as an overarching rule; it all depends on your goals and your current financial situation. Make sure to do your research and understand your own priorities when choosing a mortgage.
Today we’re going to talk about a “temporary buydown,” the latest effort by the mortgage industry to provide much-needed payment relief to borrowers.
In recent months, mortgage rates effectively doubled, straining affordability and cooling the hot housing market.
These higher rates have also had a big impact on the mortgage industry, which is typically reliant on low rates to fuel its important mortgage refinance business.
Mortgage lenders understand the impact these higher rates have had on borrowers and prospective home buyers, so there’s a good chance you’ll see more of these offers pop up soon.
Let’s discuss how these buydown mortgages work, if they can save you money, and the general pros and cons.
What Is a Temporary Buydown Mortgage?
In short, a temporary buydown is a home loan that features a reduced interest rate for a temporary period of time, whether it’s one, two, or three years.
The interest rate may be 2% lower in year one, 1% lower in year two, and then the standard note rate thereafter.
An upfront cost covers these lower monthly payments, with the required funds set aside in a buydown account.
Each month during the temporary buydown period, the borrower makes a reduced monthly payment, with the additional amount released from the buydown account to cover the difference.
This makes monthly payments more affordable during the beginning of the loan term.
Typically, borrowers opt for these buydowns because they expect their income to increase in the near future. Or the buydown is offered by a home builder or home seller to sweeten the deal.
To that end, these buydowns are often paid by a home seller or builder, or perhaps a mortgage lender.
It may also be possible to apply seller concessions toward a temporary mortgage buydown.
Recently, United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) and CrossCountry Mortgage have introduced temporary buydown programs to offset high mortgage rates.
Types of Temporary Buydown Mortgages
$400,000 loan amount with 2-1 buydown
Interest Rate
Monthly Payment
Monthly Savings
Annual Savings
Year 1
3.5%
$1,796.18
$474.98
$5,699.76
Year 2
4.5%
$2,026.74
$244.42
$2,933.04
Year 3-30
5.5%
$2,271.16
$0
$0
2-1 Buydown
There are several buydown loan options out there, with the “2-1 buydown” perhaps the most common.
As the name suggests, it lowers your interest rate by a full 2% the first year, and 1% the second year.
For example, if you qualified for a rate of 5.5% on a 30-year fixed, your interest rate in year one would be 3.5%.
In year two, your interest rate would rise to 4.5%. And in year three (and beyond) you’d pay the full note rate of 5.5%.
As seen above, a homeowner would have a payment of $2,271.16 per month on a 5.5% mortgage with a $400,000 loan amount.
During year one, they’d save $474.98 per month and $5,699.76 annually.
During year two, they’d save $244.42 per month and $2,933.04 annually.
That’s about $8,600 total, which would need to be earmarked to cover the buydown cost over those two years.
3-2-1 Buydown
There is also a “3-2-1 buydown,” which is perhaps less common given the enormous expense involved.
This type of buydown lowers the interest rate by 3% the first year, 2% the second year, and 1% the third year.
After that, your mortgage rate returns to the note rate for the remainder of the loan term.
So if the note rate were 5.5%, you’d be looking at 2.5%, 3.5%, and 4.5% in years 1-3.
1-0 Buydown
Going the opposite way, you might come across a “1-0 buydown,” which is simply a 1% reduction the first year.
So if the note rate were 5.5%, you’d get a year at 4.5% before the mortgage reverted back to 5.5% for the remainder of the loan term.
In mid-September 2022, Rocket Mortgage launched its so-called “Inflation Buster,” a 1-0 buydown that provides customers with a reduced interest rate during the first 12 months.
For example, instead of a rate of 5.75%, they might get a rate of 4.75% for the first year, with Rocket covering the difference in monthly payment automatically.
As you can see, the 2/1 buydown loan is most popular, followed by 1/0, and 3/2/1, per data from Black Knight and Optimal Blue.
Temporary Buydown Rules
Note that temporary buydown periods typically can’t exceed three years. So the options above will likely be the only terms available.
Additionally, the annual increase in mortgage rate is generally capped at 1%, probably to avoid payment shock.
As noted, borrowers still need to qualify at the full note rate in most instances, unless a borrower is expected to see a large increase in future income (for certain loan types).
Buydowns are also only permitted on certain property types, such as primary residences and second homes, with investment properties often prohibited.
But can be used in conjunction with an FHA loan, VA loan, or conforming mortgage backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
It may be possible to use a temporary buydown on an adjustable-rate mortgage with the VA or Fannie/Freddie, but not the FHA.
The buydown funds are also not refundable unless the mortgage has been paid off ahead of time, in the case of a refinance or home sale.
If this were to happen, the proceeds would typically go toward paying off the mortgage or be returned to the borrower/lender. Be sure to ask about this!
Mortgage Buydown Pros and Cons
While receiving a reduced mortgage rate the first couple years sounds nice, the upfront cost generally equals the savings.
In other words, you’re not really saving any money, you’re simply allocating funds in a different manner.
Basically, paying upfront instead of monthly, though if someone else is footing the bill, it can be considered a money-saving move.
Also note that mortgage lenders typically still require you to qualify at the actual note rate. So if the post-buydown rate is 5.5%, you need to qualify at that rate, even if you get a 3.5% rate in year one.
In the past, some underwriters may have allowed a lower qualifying rate, but that became a big no-no after the housing crisis in the early 2000s (VA loans might be the exception).
So what’s the point then? Well, as noted, if a third party is covering the cost of the buydown, why not take it?
Or if you have extra funds from a home builder or seller that can’t be used otherwise, or you don’t want to use them toward say the down payment or other closing costs.
But perhaps a better alternative is paying mortgage discount points, which result in a lower interest rate for the entire loan term. This is known as buying down your rate, on a permanent basis.
For example, you might pay one point upfront for an interest rate that is .375% lower for the entire 30-year loan term.
Another option is to go with an adjustable-rate mortgage that offers a fixed-rate period the first five or seven years (5/1 ARM or 7/1 ARM). You actually save money via a lower interest rate.
And in the case of discount points, save money once the breakeven period has passed.
Read more: Temporary vs. Permanent Mortgage Buydowns: Which to Choose and Why
Six of the highest-selling prescription medications in the United States will be “off-patent” before the end of 2012. The costs associated with those currently pricey meds will drop faster than the Dow on a bad day.
Here’s one example: The generic form of Lipitor might cost as little as $10 per month, compared to the $150 it can cost now. Yowza!
It’s a very big deal even if you have health insurance. The average co-pay for a generic formula in the U.S. is $6, as opposed to $24 for non-generics with “preferred status” and $35 for non-preferred brand. That doesn’t help much if you use a medication not afforded rock-star status by your insurer — or, worse, if you can’t afford insurance.
As welcome as these new generic formulas will be, you needn’t wait around for prices to tumble. There’s more than one way to cut the cost of medications.
Start With the Cheap Stuff
Plenty of generics already exist. Doctors sometimes prescribe the designer drugs out of habit, but maybe 10 days’ worth of penicillin would vanquish that upper-respiratory infection just as well as a pricier antibiotic. Speak up, already: Explain that you’re on a tight budget and in the market for a just-as-good-but-cheaper formula.
Taking maintenance meds? You can pay as little as $4 for a month’s worth of pills at places like Target, Wal-Mart and Safeway. Visit store websites to find which drugs are available, then ask your doctor which ones will work for what ails you.
Note that while generics generally perform as well as the pricier pills, a few of them might not. If your doctor is adamant about your staying with the name-brand stuff, there might be a good reason. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to seek a second opinion.
Walgreens has a “Prescription Savings Club” whose $35 annual fee gets you and your immediate family discounts on more than 8,000 different meds. Of those, more than 400 generics are available for $12 for a 90-day supply.
Once you’ve gotten a prescription established, either by bringing it in or having your doctor phone/fax it in, you can refill over the phone or online. The store might even offer free shipping. Ask.
And speaking of the Internet: Sites like Drugstore.com sell prescription medications, as do online pharmacies such as Caremark and Medco Health Solutions Inc.
Caution: The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy recently issued a public health alert about fake online pharmacies, noting that 96% did not comply with U.S. pharmacy laws. The organization recommends buying only from verified internet pharmacy practice sites.
Drugs that Are Free
You might not have to pay for meds at all. Once that strep throat is diagnosed, ask if the doc has any drug samples. Pharmaceutical reps drop off boxes of free meds along with those fabulous calendars, pens and tote bags. Your doctor might reserve these drugs for desperately broke patients — but maybe that’s you. It can’t hurt to ask.
Tip: Some drugs, such as prenatal vitamins and certain antibiotics, are free at Top Foods, Meijer and Publix supermarkets.
If you’re living on a very low income, you might qualify for free medications through patient assistance programs offered by most pharmaceutical companies. Groups such as NeedyMeds, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, the Chronic Disease Fund and HealthFinder.gov can tell you more.
Several drug companies also joined forces to create the Together Rx Access Program, designed for people under the age of 65 who have no prescription drug coverage. This free, income-based program makes it possible to save 25% to 40% on more than 300 medicines and medical products, and is accepted in most major pharmacies in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Using Less, Buying Big
If the subject is painkillers, you might not need the 20-count dose on the prescription. Ask if you can fill only a few tablets’ worth at a time. Use good judgment on this one, obviously, but I’ve filled pain prescriptions in the past and used only one or two tabs. Infuriating.
You can cut the price of certain meds in half quite literally, by splitting the pills. For example, if you have a 10-mg drug prescription request a 20-mg tablet (the cost is often about the same) and then use a pill splitter to halve the dose. The gadget can be had for as little as $3 on Amazon.com, which means it’ll probably pay for itself the first time you use it.
Caution: Do not cut pills with a paring knife. The dose has to be exact, not almost half. Spring for the pill-splitter now or for an ambulance co-pay later. Your choice.
Again, splitting works only on certain medications.
Or what about bulk discounts? No, you won’t be asking for 50 pounds of Percodan — you’ll be using the power of group buying by getting your meds at Costco or Sam’s Club. You don’t need to be a member to use the pharmacies in those warehouse clubs.
Make ’em Beg
Pharmacies now bid for your business the way travel agencies and insurance companies do. In his new book, Living Large in Lean Times: 250+ Ways to Buy Smarter, Spend Smarter and Save Money, frugal dude Clark Howard suggests a service called BidRx.com. You register and post the drug you need, and independent pharmacies will instantly throw bids at you.
The site is free but you need a referral code to register. The author has his own code, clark, but stresses that he receives zero compensation. BidRx simply set it up after Howard’s mention of the site caused a leap in business.
Brick-and-mortar pharmacies often lure us with gift cards cards for new or transferred prescriptions. Any time you see such offers, clip them out and put them in your wallet. When your spouse gets bronchitis or your daughter breaks her arm during hockey practice, head for the pharmacy with the best signing bonus.
Obviously it’s important to tell the new place about any other meds being taken. One would hope the pharmacist would ask, but maybe s/he won’t. I’ve dropped off ‘scripts and been asked only if I were allergic to any medications, not whether I was on another pill that would clash with the new meds. That’s why some people don’t think it’s safe to hop from pharmacy to pharmacy.
If this makes you uncomfortable, then don’t do it. But back when my health insurance didn’t include discounted drugs, I filled and transferred prescriptions whenever I could get a gift card. It was a nice budget-booster, whether I used the cards for groceries or gewgaws.
Here’s my favorite example. Before a minor health procedure I needed to get two tablets of a tranquilizer (pre-surgery) and an antibiotic (post-procedure). Both were generic and therefore super-cheap, and they earned me a $10 from Target and a $20 gift card from Walgreens. I used part of the Walgreens card for a special offer: Buy four 12-packs of Diet Pepsi for $10 and then get a $10 rebate.
At that time I happened to have coupons for two free 12-packs, which I’d received after calling Pepsi to complain about the tabs snapping off some cans of soda. Thus I wound up paying just $5 for the soft drinks but still getting the $10 rebate.
And in fact, I didn’t even pay the $5. I had the gift card, remember?
Please refer to me by my Latin name, illegitimus frugalis. And yes, I know that diet soda isn’t good for me. But I didn’t care — I was on Valium!
Inside: Learn how much your 80k salary is hourly. Plus find tips to make more money and live the lifestyle you want.
Retirement can be a scary word to those who are not wealthy or afraid of having too much time on their hands.
People in the workforce often don’t know what they will do when their retirement comes around, but it doesn’t have to be that way after all.
For most retirees, there are many reasons they want to work after retirement. And that is 100% okay!
Low stress jobs after retirement make for great part-time careers while still providing enough flexibility to enjoy your personal life. Plus a little extra money is always helpful!
While there is no one “right” answer on which job for you, we compiled a list of 30 great options to consider. All of these jobs offer relatively low stress levels and plenty of opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment.
But before you jump on the first one that comes along, you want to consider which will work best and help ease your transition into the world of retirement.
When you retire, you want to find a job that is low stress and enjoyable. That’s why finding a good retirement job is so important!
The benefits of having a low stress job after retirement
After years of hard work, retirement is a time to relax and enjoy life.
However, for some retirees, working part-time or as a side job can provide additional earnings and a sense of purpose. The following jobs are perfect for seniors over 55, or those post-retirement. They have lower stress levels than the average job and offer many opportunities for growth.
Many retirees below starting a second career after retirement would be difficult and are looking for a job that has fewer strings attached. This may be due to the fact that many retirees feel they have reached the pinnacle of their careers and want more time freedom.
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
Fortunately, there are many available jobs with increasing demand and most even have lower stress levels than average.
Retirement is a good time to consider additional earnings. This can provide a stream of money for people who want to enjoy life longer and need an additional income. In addition, working can help retirees stay mentally and physically healthy.
Jobs to Do after Retirement
The list is composed of jobs that are perfect for seniors over 55, or even post-retirement. They have lower stress levels than the average job and offer many opportunities for growth.
Some retirees prefer to work part time or as a side job; others want to find a full-time position that will keep them busy and engaged in their community. Whatever your preference, know that there are plenty of great options out there!
Retiring means starting a new life, so it is important to consider this change as the beginning of a new life and not the end of an old one.
So go ahead and take the plunge into retirement! It’s a new beginning full of endless possibilities.
There are plenty of good jobs for retirees!
What are fun jobs after retirement?
There are many fun retirement jobs that pay a small fortune! And what your personality prefers!
Some people choose to continue working in the same field, but in a more relaxed or part-time capacity. Other people choose to use their retirement to try something new and exciting, such as starting their own business, traveling, or taking up a new hobby.
What can I do after retirement to make money?
Now that you’re retired, you may be looking for ways to make some extra money. Luckily, there are plenty of options to make money in retirement available to you!
You could start a business, become a consultant, or tutor students. In addition, you could also look into working from home opportunities or start a blog.
Maybe you want one of the best part time jobs in retirement.
Whatever you choose, make sure you do your research and find something you enjoy so you don’t get bored!
Tips to Making Money in Retirement
The best fun jobs after retirement include working at a theme park, house sitting permanently on a beach or something crazy you never dreamed yourself to do!
One great way to make some money is by selling your skills and experience. For example, interior decorating is a low-stress field that often requires past experience. Alternatively, you could become a real estate agent. Both of these opportunities allow you to use the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired over the years.
Another great option for retirees is to take advantage of the growing gig economy. There are a host of jobs available through online platforms like Uber or Lyft that don’t require a lot of physical activity or travel time. Plus, they typically offer higher pay rates than traditional employment opportunities.
If you’re looking for something a little more relaxing, consider joining one of the many survey sites out there. These sites reward you with a small amount of money for each survey you complete. It may not be much, but it can add up over time!
Finally, if you’re looking for an easy way to make some money, consider something easy like greeting people. This is a great option because it’s so easy and doesn’t require any special skills or knowledge.
Which job is stress free and high paying?
There is no such job that is stress free and high paying. All jobs have their own unique stressors and rewards. It is important to find a job that is rewarding to you and that you find manageable levels of stress.
There are many jobs that are considered “stress free” after retirement.
For example, many seniors are now looking into jobs such as being a consultant or working in customer service. These positions offer a more relaxed work schedule and usually don’t require extensive training.
In addition, the amount of money one earns from a job is directly related to how much work one put into it. If you’re willing to put in the extra effort, you can make significantly more money than those who don’t.
Really Focused on less stress?
Many seniors are also looking for jobs that don’t involve stress or concern. Proofreading is one such position that meets these qualifications. The job requires native-level English proficiency and an excellent understanding of grammar to succeed. In order to be successful in this field, you have to proofread documents that contain no grammatical errors, punctuation mistakes, or syntactic flubs.
You need to find a job that feeds your soul and doesn’t seem like work.
Plus it is fun to tell others what do you do for a living.
Best low stress jobs after retirement
Some people want to use their retirement as a vehicle to start their side hustle and be more relaxed than they were during work hours. This is a great way to spend your retirement! Most cool retirement jobs require little-to-no experience, but some do.
At the end of the day, you must decide if you want to work for yourself and start your own company with a higher earning potential. Or work for someone else with less strings attached and lower pay.
In many cases, you might be stuck working because you didn’t save for retirement, so here are a few jobs that are perfect for seniors over 55 years old, or even after retirement:
1. Freelance writing
Freelance writing can be a good source of income when one has the skills and experience to do so. The best part? You get to set your own hours and take on as much or as little work as you want!
This may not sound like a low-stress job at first, but it’s actually an excellent low-stress job! Being your own boss offers incredible benefits. Best of all, you can do it in a completely stress-free environment by deciding in advance exactly how many hours you want to work.
In fact, my friend over at More Time to Travel does freelance writing for Forbes.
Freelance writing is a great way to make money from home. Be sure to have a strong portfolio and excellent writing skills to land quality freelance writing jobs. Here is a great freelance writing course.
2. Tour guide
This is perfect for someone who loves people and to discuss their worldly knowledge.
A tour guide is someone who accompanies tourists and provides information about the areas they are visiting. They are usually seniors because no special certifications or degrees are required. However, it can be a fun job for anyone who loves meeting people and has a lot of knowledge about their area. Some tour guide jobs offer tips and the opportunity to travel.
A good tour guide will have a deep knowledge of the areas they are touring and will be able to answer any questions the tourists may have. Plus cash tips are always a perk!
3. House Sitter
You can house sit for someone you know, or use a site like Mind My House to find paying gigs. Rates vary depending on the city, but typically you can expect to earn $25-50/day as a house sitter.
It allows you to live in new places without having to commit to long-term leases, and it gives you an opportunity to meet new people and explore new neighborhoods. Plus, it’s a great way to make some extra money on the side as well as lowering your monthly expenses!
If this is something you are seriously considering, then check out this book to learn how to housesit from an expert.
4. Librarian
Librarians are responsible for organizing and managing library collections, helping patrons find information and materials, and providing instruction on how to use library resources. They typically work regular hours in a library setting, and their work is relatively active.
They also need excellent research skills and the ability to stay up-to-date on new technologies.
However, job prospects are good to work in this quiet environment.
5. Customer Service Representative
Jobs in customer service usually don’t require a lot of experience or special training, so they can be a great way to ease into retirement. And since most customer service positions are in the service industry, you’ll likely get to meet new people and help them solve problems every day.
They may work in call centers, retail stores, banks, or insurance companies. In some cases, they may also work remotely from their homes. Customer service reps typically need strong communication and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to stay calm under pressure.
6. Craft seller
Many people don’t have time for their crafts like they wanted when working full-time and raising kids. So, retirement is a perfect time to become an artisans who make and sell their own products.
You can set your own hours, work from home and sell whatever you like. There are many online marketplaces that cater to craft sellers, so you can find a platform that fits your style and interests. In addition, you can attend craft fairs and other events to sell their work in person.
Make sure to price your items competitively and take the time to create an attractive product listing. Plus ship quickly and provide excellent customer service to keep buyers coming back for more!
7. Crossing Guard
It only requires a few hours of work per day, and the pay is decent around $15 an hour.
The job does not require any special skills or training, so it is an ideal way to spend your golden years. Plus you can keep youthful by staying around all of the school-aged children.
8. Blogging
This is a form of expression for most retirees or those thinking about retiring.
It can be a low stress job after retirement, as you can do it from the comfort of your own home and set your own schedule. You don’t need any special qualifications or training to start blogging – all you need is a computer, an internet connection, and something to write about.
Blogging is a great way to create fresh, new content on a regular basis for your website. In fact, my friend over at Tuppennys Fireplace uses blogging to drive extra money to their retirement budget each month.
You can sell advertising space on your blog, use affiliate marketing to promote products and services, or even launch your own product or service. The sky’s the limit when it comes to making money from blogging – so if you have something interesting to say, go for it!
9. Elder Care Services
Services can range from in-home help to full-time nursing care, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks.
While this may seem odd as a low stress job in retirement, it is a good reminder that you are still youthful in others’ eyes.
These may be simple jobs such as picking up groceries, light cleaning, cooking meals, or companionship during the day. Given the cost of nursing homes and certified nursing assistance, this is an affordable option for families who want extra eyes on their loved ones.
10. Private Island Caretaker
Okay, this is the one I want!
If you are reading this and need a caretaker, I am happy to be the right person for your estate.
A lot of caretaker jobs are in private areas, such as private islands, ski resorts, large estates, and other remote or private areas. This is often because employers need someone they can trust to be on-site full time and take care of things.1) Private Island Caretaker
Caretaker jobs are a great way for retirees to stay engaged and active in their golden years. They can provide a sense of purpose and routine, as well as an opportunity to explore new places and meet new people.
11. Docent or Usher
One low-stress job that retirees can consider is becoming an usher at their local theater or sporting area. This job does not require much training and typically pays minimum wage, but it can be a great way to meet people and see new shows and watch sports.
A docent is someone who has expert knowledge about a certain subject and can teach people about it through guided tours and lectures. They are often found in museums, art galleries, and other places where people can learn about the arts.
For many retirees, these are the perfect jobs to get paid for enjoying their hobbies and events they didn’t have time to see when working full-time.
12. Work at Disney
Jobs at Disney parks can be both fun and challenging, with plenty of opportunities to make new friends and help guests have a great time. You’ll need to be able to work hard and stay cheerful under pressure, but the rewards are many.
If you’re interested in working at one of the happiest places on earth, visit the Walt Disney Company website to learn more about current openings and how to apply.
Perfect for the retiree to stay youthful!
13. Invest in Various Intiatvies through Crowdfunding
When it comes to investments, there are many options to choose from that can fit any personality type.
Crowdfunding was created to help more people invest in various businesses by pooling resources together. This makes it more affordable and less risky for everyone involved.
For many retirees, this is a great way to impact start-up businesses and maybe even have a great ROI on their money.
14. Tutoring
Tutoring can help students learn in a one-on-one environment, and help them to focus on the material. Tutoring can also help build a student’s confidence, and help them to ask questions they may be too embarrassed to ask in a classroom setting.
It’s a great way to help students who are struggling and give them the support they need to succeed. You also get the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping young people achieve their goals. Tutoring can be done in person or online, so it’s a flexible job that you can fit around your schedule.
In today’s society, there are plenty of opportunities to help students achieve faster with tutoring. Most tutors are paid at least $30 an hour.
15. Virtual assistant
There are many low stress jobs that can be found online and Virtual Assistants are one of those jobs.
A virtual assistant is a professional who provides administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients from a remote location. Often, virtual assistants work for multiple clients simultaneously, providing a wide range of services including social media management, email management, bookkeeping, and more.
They provide a service to their client through the internet and This is a great way for someone with retirement to start making money fast because most VAs make between $35 and $50 an hour.
Take free training for becoming a virtual assistant!
16. Personal shopper
A personal shopper may work in a store, helping customers find what they need, or they may work remotely for a customer who gives them a list of items to purchase. Either way, personal shoppers usually charge by the hour.
It also pays well, especially if you work for a high-end retailer. And since you’re working with customers one-on-one, this is a great job for someone who enjoys helping others. Perfect for a retiree to get out and about.
17. Personal organizer
They may work with individuals or groups, in both business and personal settings. Personal organizers usually have excellent time management skills, as well as a thorough understanding of the principles of organization.
This type of position is great to keep you moving as well as help others.
18. Animal shelter worker
They may feed, groom, and exercise the animals, as well as administer medication and vaccinations. They also clean cages and kennels, and may handle adoptions. The work can be physically demanding, but it is also very rewarding to help homeless animals find new homes.
For someone who loves animals, this is a perfect opportunity to make money and help neglected animals.
19. Book store assistant
The work is relatively easy, and there are usually no major deadlines to worry about. Plus, bookstores are typically quiet and calming environments, which can be a nice break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
If you’re looking for a relaxed job after retirement, this could be it!
20. Photographer
Some people take up photography as a hobby, some as an art form, and some as a profession. The beauty of photography is that it can be whatever you want it to be. There are so many different types of photography, based on your taste and choice you can choose which area to focus on first.
In addition, photography is a great low stress job after retirement!
It can be done freelance to supplement your income or on a full-time basis. There are many opportunities for photographers, and the work is generally enjoyable.
21. Life coach
After retirement, there are many low stress jobs that a person can take on. One such option is becoming a life coach.
This job involves helping people work through their problems and achieve their goals.
By becoming a mentor for the next generation, you are able to have a lasting impact and legacy. This allows you to share your wisdom and knowledge while also helping someone else in their career path.
As a life coach, it’s important to be a good listener and have strong communication skills. Additionally, new graduates might be able to offer you fresh perspectives on life that you may not have considered before. It’s easy to become a mentor to coworkers or people in your field; all it takes is some time and effort.
22. Consultant
Consulting is a broad term used to describe an area of work. It encompasses a wide range of activities and can be done by anyone with the appropriate skills and experience.
Many retirees choose to focus on the areas they enjoyed at work and avoid stressful parts, becoming consultants in those fields.
Often, retirees are a great resource for companies looking for short-term or project-based work. If you let your network know that you are available for consulting opportunities, they may be more likely to reach out to you when they have a need. Additionally, the average consultant salary is between $50 and $150 per hour, depending on experience level.
23. Walmart Greeter
Greeters welcome customers, help them find what they need, and provide general information about the store. They may also monitor security cameras and alarms in the store. The position requires little training, and most Walmart greeters are given on-the-job training.
However, greeters must be able to handle stress well, as they are often the first point of contact for customers who are angry or upset. The position also requires being able to work weekends and holidays.
24. Dog walker
Dog walking is a great job for people who love dogs and want to make a difference in the lives of animals. It is also perfect for retirees who want to stay busy and have flexible hours. The work can be enjoyable and rewarding, and it is a low-stress profession.
Dog walkers are typically paid by how many dogs they are watching at any given time, rather than by the hour. There are specific websites where you can find work as a dog walker like Rover and the average pay is $14 an hour.
25. Pet sitter
A pet sitter is a professional who is hired to take care of pets while their owners are away. Pet sitters typically visit the home of the pet owner to feed, water, and exercise the pet. They may also provide additional services such as grooming and medication administration.
For example, many retirees enjoy pet sitting because it allows them to form close relationships with animals while also providing a service to their community.
Find plenty of pet sitting gigs on Rover.
26. Camp Host
After retirement, many people are looking for a low stress job that will allow them to travel, get outside, and see new places. Campground jobs are perfect for this because you can work during the day and explore at night.
Camp hosts are people who work at a campground to provide information and assistance to guests.
Campsites allow for some flexibility in terms of location – you may be able to choose the state or national park you’d like to work in, as well as the dates of your stay. Additionally, many camp hosts have a good deal of control over their schedules, which can be a perk.
They usually work for minimum wage, but can often receive tips from guests.
27. Adjunct Professor
Many retirees take on part-time work as adjunct professors. The position offers a high level of flexibility, good pay, and opportunities for professional development. In addition, adjunct professors often have the opportunity to work with students from diverse backgrounds and help them grow academically.
This can be a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with the next generation of students. Contact your local college and see if they have any openings. Adjunct professors typically earn around $3,000 per class taught.
28. Author
Becoming an author can be a great way to enjoy your retirement years while still earning some extra money on the side. The job doesn’t involve a lot of pressure, and you get to set your own deadlines.
There are a few different ways to get your book published. One option is to work with an agent. However, this may not always be possible, especially if you are writing a non-fiction book. Another option is to self-publish your book. This can be a great way to get your book out there without having to go through a publishing house.
You will finally have time to tell your story from your perspective.
29. Focus group participant
Focus groups are gatherings of people who are brought together to discuss a certain topic. The participants can range from 6 to 12 people, and they are typically held in local hotels or conference centers. During the focus group, the participants will discuss upcoming products, services, trends, and issues.
Focus group participants are typically reimbursed for their time and participation in the discussion. This can be done in a variety of ways but is usually either through cash or gift cards.
30. Furniture flipper
Furniture flipping is a great business for those who want to make some extra money with little stress and no formal education needed. You can do it from the comfort of your own home, as long as you have the necessary tools and space. With a bit of hard work, you could be on your way to making some serious cash.
Furniture flippers are people who buy furniture at a low price and resell it for a profit. They usually start as furniture buyers who love hunting for deals at garage sales or estate auctions. This is a low-stress job that’s also profitable.
For many retirees, it may have been a hobby turned profitable.
31. Delivery driver
Delivery driver is a great job for retirees because it keeps them active and socially engaged. It can be difficult to sit at home all day, so this job is perfect for those who want to be out in the world meeting new people.
Delivering food is a great way to make some extra money in your spare time. It’s a low-stress job because you’re only out of the car for deliveries, and many companies offer drivers up to $20 per hour.
I love Doordash because their sign-up process is so easy–you can be up and running in minutes!
32. Rideshare driver
Ridesharing is a great way for seniors to make some extra money on the side while still having plenty of time for themselves. It’s very flexible, so they can work as much or as little as they want, and it doesn’t require them to take too much time out of their day.
Both Uber and Lyft require relatively little startup capital, and retirees can often make money driving for these companies.
Just make sure you have the proper auto insurance for ridesharing.
33. Taxi Driver
Taxis are in high demand in most cities, so there is always work to be found. In addition, the hours are flexible, so drivers can work as much or as little as they want.
And since driving a taxi is not very demanding physically, it is a good job for those who are no longer able to do strenuous work.
Many people who move to a foreign country find being a taxi driver a highly rewarding and lucrative way to make money.
34. School Bus Driver
There is a severe shortage of school bus drivers across the country.
This may not be a low stress job to many, but you can have a long lasting impact on the students. Right now, our students need positive influences in their lives.
What does the job entail? You must have a valid commercial driver’s license (or find someone who will provide the training) and be clear from moving violations in the last 3 years. In addition, you must pass a background check to work with students.
Many districts are desperate for school bus drivers and providing a signing bonus.
35. Chat moderator
Chat moderators are responsible for monitoring chat rooms and helping to ensure that the conversation remains on topic and respectful. They also work to resolve any disputes that may arise.
They work in a variety of settings, from social media to online gaming platforms.
But for the most part, the job is relatively low-stress, thanks to the ability to take breaks and work flexible hours. Chat moderators also often have the opportunity to learn new technologies and hone their customer service skills.
36. Babysitter & Nanny
Babysitting and nannying is a great way to make some extra money in your spare time. It’s perfect for people who love kids and have a few hours in the afternoon after school lets out. You can help out your neighbors by babysitting their kids or finding families near you who are looking for a nanny.
They offer a lot of flexibility, they’re relatively low stress, and they often come with a set schedule so you know what you’re doing each week. Plus, you can usually work from home, which is a big perk if you want to stay active in your golden years.
The average babysitter in the United States earns a bit less than $15 per hour, but some earn at least $20 an hour. It is easy to find work.
37. Event Staff
Event planning can be a very stressful job, but it can also be a very rewarding one. After retirement, many people look for a flexible job that they can do mostly on the weekends and in the evening. Event staff is a great option for those people.
They may work in a variety of industries, including entertainment, hospitality, marketing or nonprofit organizations.
Event staff often have to wear many hats during an event, handling duties such as coordinating with vendors, setting up event spaces, managing attendees, and serving as liaisons between organizers and other staffers.
This may not be the situation for everyone, but great for someone who likes to be in the action.
38. Research Assistant
After retirement, many people feel lost and without a sense of purpose. A research assistant helps others find information and discover problems to solve. They work with teams or individuals to locate the best information possible and help them use it effectively.
Research assistants are in high demand because they help other people find information and solve problems. They work on a variety of tasks, such as conducting research, organizing data, and writing reports. Their skills are in high demand by companies, governments, and individuals who need help conducting research.
The job is relatively low stress and pays between $18 and $22 per hour. It requires patience, communication skills, and a range of computer skills.
39. Substitute Teacher
A substitute teacher is someone who fills in for a permanent teacher when they are absent. This can be for a variety of reasons, such as paid vacation, maternity leave, or sick leave. It is a great option for retirees because it is one of the most respected and low-stress jobs after retirement.
This is one of the best retirement jobs because you can substitute teach any position within a school.
Substitute teaching can be extremely rewarding, as you are able to help students in need and fill in for teachers who are absent. You may also have the opportunity to work with different age groups and learn new things.
It is now possible to earn around $20 per hour on average as a substitute teacher. In order to become a substitute teacher, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in any academic discipline from an accredited college or university. With the right qualifications, you can enjoy a great deal of flexibility and earning potential while working with children.
40. Airbnb Host
You can earn up to $1,000 per month by listing your home on the site.
It’s also a low-stress job since you don’t have to worry about meeting deadlines or dealing with customers. And, since you’re working from home, you can easily take care of any last-minute changes or emergencies.
If you’re interested in becoming an Airbnb host, check out this guide on how to get started.
41. Proofreading
In this career, you would be reading documents or manuscripts and looking for mistakes in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax. You would then mark the errors with a correction symbol and provide a note to the author about the mistake. Proofreading can be done independently or as part of a team.
It is also important to be able to meet deadlines because many publishers require that manuscripts be returned within a certain timeframe.
42. Park Ranger
They enforce park rules, help visitors enjoy their visit, and provide information about the areas they patrol. Park rangers may also conduct educational programs, research projects, and archaeological surveys.
The growing popularity of outdoor recreational activities will lead to more demand for these workers.
Rangers must be able to hike long distances in difficult terrain, often carrying heavy equipment. They also may need to work extended hours, including weekends and holidays, during peak visitor seasons.
43. Voiceover artist
Voiceover artists are people who provide the voice for a character or commercial. They must be able to understand and interpret the script, and then deliver the lines in a way that sounds natural and believable.
Voiceover artists are in high demand for their unique ability to provide a voice for various multimedia productions that requires no formal training. This work can be done from anywhere with a good internet connection, making it an ideal job for retirees or those with flexible hours.
44. Real Estate Agent
The work is often exciting, and you can set your own hours. However, it can also be demanding and require long hours during busy times.
They must be knowledgeable about the current market conditions and have strong negotiating skills. In order to succeed in this career, you’ll need to be able to work well independently and be comfortable networking with potential clients.
You’ll also need to develop a strong marketing strategy to attract new clients.
45. Sports Coach
They may also instruct athletes on the rules and regulations of a sport. Sports coaches typically have a college degree in physical education, kinesiology, or a related field.
Coaches often work long hours during the season and must be able to handle criticism from players and parents. However, for those who love sports and enjoy working with people, sports coaching can be an enjoyable and low-stress job after retirement.
46. Artist
Being an artist is a great job to have after retirement because it doesn’t require a lot of stress and you’re free to create whatever you like. The only requirement for the job is that you have some artistic ability, which most people do.
Working as an artist can be perfect for people who are looking to have more flexibility with their hours and want to work on the go. There are many different types of artist jobs that one can find, and the best way to find out what’s available is to do some research online or talk to other artists in your area.
47. Translator
Translation is a great option for those who want to use their second or third language skills in a professional setting.
Many retirees find themselves with time on their hands after retirement and may enjoy doing something that they are good at and can be successful at. Speaking another language can lead to many opportunities, including working as a translator or in a translation services company, or becoming a consultant in foreign affairs.
Translators must be able to understand the source material fully and then accurately convert it into the target language.
48. Interior decorator
Interior decorators are in high demand because they have an eye for design and can help people make their homes look beautiful. This is a low-stress career choice that allows retirees to work anywhere, which is why it is becoming increasingly popular.
Interior decorators are often retirees who have a wealth of knowledge and experience in interior design. They must build up a portfolio of their clients’ homes before they can become an interior designer and be able to charge more for their services.
Interior decorating is a creative line of work that can earn great money, and it’s often a side hustle for people who want to make more money while still having free time. Satisfying customers is another perk of this career!
49. Handyman Services
If you’re looking for a way to make some money after retirement, and enjoy doing hands-on home repair projects, consider working as a handyman. Handyman work can be done on your own schedule, so it’s a great option if you want more flexibility in your life.
Handyman services are becoming more popular because they allow you to set your own rates and work on your own schedule.
This is beneficial for both the worker and the customer, as it allows the worker to charge a fair price for their services and customers can get work done on their time. Additionally, handymen have a variety of skills and can fix many problems around the home, which makes them a valuable asset.
50. Professional cuddler
Cuddling has become a popular service in recent years. Companies like Cuddle Comfort offer professional cuddlers that will come to your house and provide you with a compassionate, understanding listening ear as well as some quality cuddle time.
Some people make a living from professional cuddling. These cuddlers can earn approximately $40 per hour for just being themselves and giving bear hugs. This is a growing industry with many people finding comfort and satisfaction in human touch.
51. Mediator
To become a mediator, you need to have either legal training or a bachelor’s degree in mediation. This gives you the skills needed to mediate and resolve disputes between two or more parties. Mediators usually have a low-stress job because of their flexibility and freedom to work from anywhere.
Mediators come from a variety of professional backgrounds, but the majority have some form of legal background. More than half of certified mediators work as general mediators, charging $100 to $250 per hour.
52. Data entry specialist
A data entry specialist is somebody who enters data into a computer system. This can be a very low stress job, especially if you have basic computer skills and typing speed and accuracy. The work is relatively easy to find and usually does not require any specific qualifications.
Data entry specialists are paid a modest wage for their work, but the pay is reliable and predictable. The job is also relatively easy to find, making it a great option for people who are looking for additional work during retirement or in their spare time.
Being able to type quickly and accurately in order to be successful in this role.
53. Waiter/ Waitress
If you have a gift of gab and service, then this might be the perfect industry for you. Especially as a bar back!
The work hours are flexible, the tips are usually good, and you get to meet new people all the time. Plus this type of job is fun, as it’s not high-stress and it allows someone who just retired or wants a job with flexible hours to stay active socially while they make money.
If you’re looking for an alternative after retirement, waiter or waitress work is definitely a good option.
54. Cook
Many families are looking for healthy options for dinner. What is better than a home-cooked meal?
While working as a cook for a restaurant, you may often work long hours in a hot, noisy kitchen. However, cooking for local families on a small scale may be the perfect scenario.
55. Become a Transcriber
Transcription is a great way to make some money after retirement. You can typically make around $18-$25/hour, depending on your skill level and experience.
The work is relatively low stress, so it’s a great option for those looking for a relaxing way to make some extra income.
56. Retirement planner
Some retirement planners offer training and certification for their employees. The employer might pay for your training and certificate if they feel confident enough in hiring you as an employee after seeing how well you do these tasks.
This may not be the ideal situation for many, but it pays well.
57. Flip Items
Flipping items for profit is a great way to make some extra cash. You can find deals at garage sales and online, and then turn around and sell them for more.
Be sure to look out for scams, however, as there are many people who try to take advantage of those looking to flip items.
To learn how to flip for a side hustle, check out Flea Market Flippers.
58. Professional Volunteer
Charity work is a great way to give back to the community and help those in need. There are many charities that need help, and by donating your time or money, you can make a big difference in someone’s life.
It can also be a great way to ease into retirement. Many charities are always in need of volunteers, and you can often find opportunities that fit your schedule. You may also be able to find paid positions with certain charities.
You will have the opportunity to help others and make a real difference in their lives. You may also find new friendships and learn new skills.
It keeps you social and busy, and it lets you help out in your community. Plus, many organizations offer volunteer opportunities tailored to retirees’ skills and interests.
In fact, many volunteer opportunities turn into paid jobs.
How to find a job that is low stress and matches your skills?
Which best jobs for retirees do you want?
When you’re looking for a job that is low stress and matches your skills, it’s important to consider a variety of factors. For example, employers want employees who can work independently and are well-organized. They also want employees who can communicate clearly. You should have a basic understanding of the job duties as well.
If you have specific skills, you may not need these things as much.
However, employers still want employees who can complete tasks without any help from others. There are a variety of ways to find out about such jobs, including using search engines or social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn.
Also, whoever says you have to wait for retirement?? Find low-stress jobs that pay well without a degree now.
It’s also important to be aware of the pay structure. Often, employers want employees who will be able to work for them on a long-term basis. The pay structure is often predictable and employers know exactly how much work there will be available for each project. This makes it easier for both parties involved.
One way to find a job that is low stress and matches your skills is by using online platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, and Fiverr. These platforms offer many data entry jobs that are perfect for those looking for an easy way to make some money after retirement. In order to take advantage of these jobs, you’ll have to learn how to type fast.
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!