Just wondering...what paid work do you do?

downshifter

Dear all, after I downshifted from the lifetime career over 10 years ago now, I took on a range of part time jobs, one of which lasted 9 years, often several at a time. At one point I had 5 part time jobs, none of which added up to full time equivalent but I loved the variety and how my brain was kept in top gear!

Now I'm 67 and have 3 jobs (2 parish clerks and one working for a small charity) I also do quite a bit of voluntary work. However my brain definitely isn't in top gear any more and neither is my bank balance so I could do with a bit more work.

I just wondered what paid work other people of my age do? My friends work in shops (one downshifted from a high responsibility job in Civil Service), a pet rescue, website work etc. So I thought I'd ask what work others have found? I'm happy to be creative in my job-seeking, for example I once applied for a job as a volunteer and they decided to take me on as an employee and paid well for my professional skills and experience.

I really do have plenty of time and waste it all faffing around really. So what work do you do?

DS

pollypenny

I did supply for a year after I retired from teaching, but do nothing now.

U3A keeps me busy, as well as keeping the brain active. Not so much of a swot as I used to be, though. I!!!8217;m frequently doing my writing group homework last minute.

As for paid work, I always fancied working in Boots!

Savvy_Sue

DH has signed up for invigilating at the local Uni: the local secondary schools also need this.

He's also signed up to be a life model.

seven-day-weekend

We do house/petsitting. We work through an agency.

We don't actually do that much now, (one or two regular clients) but could do a lot more.

If you're anywhere near the Midlands or Welsh Borders, here's details of our agency, but there are others all around the country.


https://www.while-your-away.co.uk/our-sitters

lessonlearned

Have you thought about becoming self employed or going freelance. Maybe setting up a little sideline business. Do you have a hobby you can turn into a little money maker.

I was offered the chance to go back to work as a new build sales negotiator but decided against it, even though I love the work and had had a very successful career.

Firstly because it can be very cold in winter.......site offices can be a tad chilly. :rotfl: Secondly I fancied a change. As a widow I decided it was time to build a new and different kind of life for myself.

I have decided to go back to college to retrain and upgrade my original beauty therapy qualifications. I start next Wednesday. The course is part time so not too onerous. When I have completed my studies I shall be able to practise as a complementary therapist. I will be self employed and can therefore be flexible, choosing my own hours and working as much or as little as I please.

A new chapter begins.

ibizafan_2

I am 65 and work three evenings a week in a well known chain restaurant, a job I have been doing for 32 years, firstly when my children were very small, then on top of a full time professional post. I have always enjoyed it as I enjoy meeting people, walk five miles a night, and it certainly keeps your brain working! I have never been bored, as every day is different, but at the end of the night, whether it has been stressful or not, that is it until the next shift. However, the main advantage is that I can take as much unpaid leave as I want as long as I give plenty of notice. I wouldn’t still be working if I was restricted to certain holiday periods as my OH and I are doing lots of travelling before we get much older.

elsien

Parent ran childcare courses for a local charity and did NVQ verifying, both on a self-employed consultancy basis. She finally retired at age 77 when funding started to dry up.

Savvy_Sue

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

DH has signed up for invigilating at the local Uni: the local secondary schools also need this.

He's also signed up to be a life model.

Should have said, he's also developing a sideline in offering advice on GDPR to small local charities. If you have a niche in that kind of area, there's a fair bit of panic / dumb ignorance around it.

Ilona

I have no need to earn money now, I have enough with my pension. But I do like to keep busy. I deliver parish newsletters three times a year in a smallish village and get a few quid for doing it. The bonus is the walking, it's good training for longer walks, and I meet people.

I also dog walk but don't take money for it. I love dogs and walking so that's a bonus. I am 68 and don't want a regular or part time job, don't want commitment. Free to do what I like.

Ilona

agrinnall

If you can wait until 2021 then working during the next census might be an option - one of my friends did it in 2011 when she was taking a career break and enjoyed it.

crv1963

I'm not retired yet but a few colleagues who have retired do a variety of things- Citizens Advice- lots of roles and training, one helps the Mentally Ill with benefit forms, another volunteers as a Listener at our local Cathedral, a couple in charity shops and another took up long distance walking, walks a distance, stays in a B and B then walks some more after a week or so gets the train home! I'm told that retirement is as easy or as hard as you make it, have an open mind and follow your ideas is what I've been advised!