Your Retirement Side Hustle Starter Kit: The Essential Tools and Apps You Need
Check out these awesome tools and apps to jumpstart your retirement side hustle with confidence.
For a growing number of retirees, the golden years are taking an unexpected turn. The trend of "unretiring" — returning to the workforce after retirement — is on the rise.
Whether driven by rising living costs, a need for social engagement or just plain boredom, retirees are launching side hustles and finding new purpose, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down.
Nearly 1 in 8 seniors aged 65 or older have returned to work or plan to rejoin the workforce this year, according to ResumeBuilder’s early 2026 data. Likewise, AARP’s February 2026 report found that 7% of retirees have “unretired” and returned to the workforce in the past six months, with 48% stating that making money was the top reason.
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Thinking about a side hustle? The right tools and apps can make all the difference. Dive into the essential starter kit to launch your unretirement journey today.
Must-have tools and apps to kickstart your retirement side gig
Starting a side hustle in retirement doesn’t mean learning complex systems or spending your hard-earned cash on expensive setups. With the right tools and apps, you can leverage your skills and manage your time — all while keeping things simple and stress-free.
Nic Adams, co-founder and CEO at Orcus, makes a good point. “Some individuals overlook that older adults often feel intimidated by technology or overwhelmed by too many options. That’s why it's important to focus on using just one or two tools.
Additionally, outdated software poses a challenge, causing issues such as privacy and security risks, as well as reduced productivity. Keeping firewalls, antivirus software and similar tools updated can help alleviate seniors' concerns.”
Here are a few of the many tools and apps, costs to get started, potential salary and the many benefits for retirees, no matter your past career or future goals.
1. Executive & Professional Consulting
Cash in on your decades of career knowledge and expertise without returning to the full-time grind by consulting.
How it works
Consultants play a crucial role across various industries. They offer their expertise, deep knowledge, and insights to other people, businesses, and organizations. You can work solo as an independent consultant, small business owner, or contractor. Many retirees work just 5–15 hours per week on their own schedule.
Essential tools and apps
LinkedIn Premium. A professional networking, job hunting, and business development site. LinkedIn Premium will set you back $39.99 per month ($239.88 per year), but many professionals say it’s worth every penny. For deeper insights and broader search capabilities try LinkedIn Premium Business, $59.99 per month or $575.88 per year.
TimeCamp. Best for time tracking and invoicing. Plans range from $3.99 per month to $9.99 per month, billed annually.
Calendly or Google Calendar. For planning you day/month and beyond. Calendly offers a basic free plan, but for most applications you’ll end up paying $10 to $16 per month, all the way up to $15K. Google Workspace plans start at $7 per user per month.
4Degrees. Customer relationship management tools designed for relationship-focused professionals. Pricing typically starts around $100+ per month depending on the plan and team size.
Zoom. Online conferencing. Zoom offers a free Basic plan with limited features. The Pro plan starts at $13.33 per user per month.
Patriot. Easy to use, cloud-based accounting software. Basic plan costs $20 per month, Premium plan costs $30 per month.
Flowlu. Project & Task Management software. Best for having everything, invoicing, CRM, finance tools and more all in one place. Up to two users is free. Other plans start at $9 up to $22 per user for the Advanced plan.
Wise or PayPal for easy payments. No costs to set-up an account. Wise is an international money transfer service and that lets you send, receive and spend money in 40+ currencies. No monthly subscription or account fees. You only pay a small, upfront fee per transfer. Paypal charges 2.99% + $0.49 or 3.49% + $0.49 per domestic transaction.
What It costs to become a consultant
Almost nothing to start ($0–$150). Optional: professional headshot ($200 to $400) or a simple one-page website that can range from an initial DIY build ($0 to $450) to $1,500 for a professional design. Add hosting and apps: $15 to $150 monthly, and maintenance costs of $20 to $100 annually. You’ll also need to buy a domain name.
How much you can make
$101,568 per year or $48.83 per hour, via ZipRecruiter. Many of these jobs are part-time and remote.
Why it’s great for retirees
You stay intellectually sharp, feel seen and valued for your hard-earned knowledge, and enjoy complete control over when and how much you work. For most positions, the job is flexible and you work where and when you want. Keep in mind, you may be required to travel occasionally.
2. Freelance Services — Writing, Virtual Assistance, Graphic Design
Offer specialized professional skills honed throughout your career on a flexible schedule.
How it works
Provide short or long-term projects like content writing, account management or simple graphic design to clients directly or through freelance platforms.
Essential tools and apps
Upwork, Fiverr, FlexJobs, ZipRecruiter, RemoteJobs, etc., etc. Main platforms to find clients and get paid. Typcailly, the app you use depends on the service you offer. For example, Writer Access or FreelanceWriting.com may be better for writing gigs, whereas Twine and Dribbble may be better for graphic designers.
Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. For professional email, documents and collaboration with clients. Retirees may prefer Microsoft, which costs about $6 to $12 per month if they previously used it at work.
Canva Pro. Relatively simple drag-and-drop design for presentations, social media graphics and ebooks. Retiree-friendly and well worth the $15 per month.
Grammarly Premium. Helps correct tone, clarity, AI and grammar issues instantly. Huge time-saver at about $12 per month.
PayPal or Wise. Fast, reliable client payments. No monthly subscription or account fees with Wise. You only pay a small, upfront fee per transfer. Paypal costs 2.99% + $0.49 or 3.49% + $0.49 per domestic transaction.
What It costs to become a freelancer
From $0 to $200 (mainly for premium platform subscriptions). A website to show-off your expertise can run Upwork (and other sites) may also charge a freelancer service fee that can range from 0% to 15% on all earnings. You’ll also need a website to show-off your expertise. An initial build will run about $0 to $450, up to $1,500 for a professional design. Add hosting and maintenance costs, plus the price of a domain name. Typically, you’ll also use your own computer and software.
How much you can make
Reasonably, between $25 to $100+ per hour. Realistic part-time earnings can run $1,000 – $4,500 per month or approximately $99,230 per year, according to UpWork.
Why it’s great for retirees
You can often work from home on your own timeline, use skills you’ve already mastered and avoid a long commute. You can potentially earn much more after you’ve gained a following and earned positive feedback from repeat clients.
Word of warning: Some listed jobs might be scams, so if a job is too good to be true, it probably is. Also, never pay anything up front, and double-check to ensure the company is legitimate by visiting its website and searching for reviews.
3. Pet Sitting, Dog Walking and House Sitting
There are currently more than 95 million U.S. households that own at least one pet. From 65% of U.S. dog owners walking 3 to 5 times per week and 82% of walkers using scheduling apps, the numbers reveal how preferences, pricing, and technology are shaping daily care across countries.
How it works
Care for pets in their homes or yours, walk dogs or house-sit while their owners are away. Flexible hours, but may include weekends and holidays.
Essential tools and apps
Rover, PetBacker and Wag!. Popular platforms for pet sitting, dog walking, boarding and drop-in visits. Pet sitters and walkers can set their own rates and build long-term relationships with clients There is a small service fee to start (15% to 25%) on each site, but providers typically keep 60-80% of the booking. No monthly fees.
TrustedHousesitters. A global platform where sitters live in the home and care for both pets and the property in exchange for accommodation while the owners are away. Sitters can earn from $129 – $259 per year, minus a per-sit fee.
Square (or cash) for payments. Square has three tiers: $0 per month up to $149 per month.
What it costs
On average, about $0 to $100, which can include a background check and basic insurance.
How much you can make
Retirees can earn $14 to $50 or more per day per pet with many retirees clearing $31,000 per year part-time.
Why it’s great for retirees
Stay active, get fresh air, enjoy unconditional love from animals and work your own hours while getting paid.
4. Local Handyman or Home Services
Perfect for healthy and reasonably fit retirees who enjoy practical, hands-on projects and helping neighbors.
How it works
Handle small jobs like furniture moving and assembly, running errands, minor repairs, painting or yard work through apps or word-of-mouth.
Essential tools and apps
TaskRabbit. A marketplace platform that connects you with customers for help with everyday tasks. Clients pay hourly or per-task rates which can typically run $35 to $80+ per hour depending on the task and location. TaskRabbit charges service fees, usually 15–30%. Retirees will also pay a one-time background check fee of about $25.
Nextdoor and Facebook or Facebook Marketplace. Social networks for recommendations and offering services within your neighborhood. Nextdoor and Facebook Marketplace are completely free. You determine charges with your clients.
Thumbtack or Angi. Thumbtack is best for flexible, pay-per-lead work with no monthly fees. However, you do pay fo the service (often $20–$80) even if you’re not hired. Angi works well if you want more serious home-service customers. Angi offers free basic listings for contractors, but paid programs like Angi Ads and Angi Leads can cost between $85 and $200 per lead.
Jobber or Square. Iinvoicing & payments. Jobber and Square help with quoting, scheduling, invoicing, client management and payments. Jobber plans start at $49 per month to $399 per month for up to ten users. Square has three tiers: $0 per month up to $149 per month.
What it costs
Typcailly form $0–$300 for background checks, basic insurance and any specialty on-the-job tools.
How much you can make
Between $30–$60 per hour. Active retirees often earn $1,500 – $4,000+ per month working about 10 to 20 hours per week. The national average salary for handymen in the U.S. is about $50,000 annually.
Why it’s great for retirees
You’ll stay physically fit and active while working at your own pace, and see immediate results from your work. You can also gain a positive reputation (which means additional future work) and build meaningful local connections.
5. Creative Gig Economy — Etsy, Photography, Crafting, Content
Turn hobbies or creative talents into income.
How it works
You’ll offer project-based work in creative fields, such as graphic design, writing or video editing or sell handmade items, digital downloads, photography or crafts online, or create content around your passion. Retirees can earn supplemental income and stay mentally without the pressure of full-time work.
Essential tools and apps
Etsy and Shopify. Both platforms let you open a shop and sell directly to buyers worldwide. Total fees on Etsy typically run 12–15% per sale. No monthly fee to start a basic shop. Shopify offers five pricing tiers, starting at $5 per month for its starter plan up to $2,300 per month for Shopify Plus.
Canva Pro or Adobe Creative Cloud. Canva Pro is ideal for quick graphics, presentations and content creation, while Adobe Creative Cloud offers advanced editing, vector design, video production and customization for serious creatives. Canva Pro: $12.99 to $18 per month or $144 per year. Adobe Creative Cloud Pro (all Apps plan): $69.99 per month.
Instagram or TikTok. For marketing your talents. Instagram is free for personal and professional accounts. You only pay if you run ads, which can cost $0.20 to $2 or more per click. There are also optional paid features like Subscriptions. TikTok is also free, but advertising can run $0.50 to $2 per click.
Printful or Printify. Both Printful and Printify are print-on-demand (POD) services that let you design and sell custom apparel, accessories, home goods and more without the need to hold inventory. You also set your own prices. Printful is free. Its Growth plan is $24.99 per month, and becomes free when you reach $12,000 in annual sales. Printify ranges from $0 per month to $39 per month depending on the plan.
SmugMug. Sell your photos through websites, client galleries, print sales and digital downloads. SmugMug prices range from $20 to $37 per month.
What It Costs
On average, $0–$400. Camera gear, inventory, printing costs and more can add up, but with sales comes profits.
How Much You Can Make
Varies widely. Many retirees earn $500 – $3,000+ per month once established; top shops do much more. Most Etsy sellers earn about $574 per month, but top sellers can make over $10,000 monthly. Mega-influencers on Instagram can earn even more, up to $10,000 or more per post.
Why It’s Great for Retirees
You can express your creativity on your own schedule by working from home, and turn a lifelong passion into savings for a happy retirement.
6. Tutoring, Coaching and Teaching
Share a lifetime of knowledge with others.
How it works
Tutor students online or in-person, coach or teach classes in your area of expertise, such as foreign languages, music, history, sports and more.
Essential tools and apps
Zoom. Online conferencing. Zoom offers a free Basic plan with limited features. The Pro plan starts at $13.33 per user per month. Google Meet is another site to try. It’s free to use, but if you want more features you’ll pay from $7 to $22 per month.
Tutor.com, Preply, or Wyzant. These sites connect students with tutors for homework and academic support (K-12 to college). Tutors are either paid a set hourly rate or they can set their own rates, and each of the sites typically take a commission, ranging from 18% to 25%.
Calendly or Google Calendar. For planning you day/month and beyond. Calendly offers a basic free plan, but for most applications you’ll end up paying $10 to $16 per month, all the way up to $15K. Google Workspace plans start at $7 per user per month.
Teachable or Thinkific. Past and tech-savvy teachers can now build, market and sell your own digital curriculum, courses and coaching programs, online. Plan pricing varies, and ranges from $39 per month up to $399 per month on Teachable. Pricing on Thinkific ranges from $0 to $199 per month.
What it costs
On average, you’ll pay between $0–$150 for platform fees and basic marketing.
How much you can make
On average, $25–$80+ per hour. Part-time retirees commonly earn $1,000 – $4,000 per month.
Why it’s great for retirees
Stay mentally engaged, enjoy meaningful interactions with students and experience the joy of helping others succeed. May not be as flexible as other side hustles.
7. Driving and Delivery Services
Simple, flexible way to earn while you’re already out and about
How it works
Deliver food, groceries, or passengers using your own car on your own schedule.
Essential tools and apps
Uber, Uber Eats, DoorDash, Instacart. All are free to join as a driver, dasher or shopper. You keep most of your earnings but the platforms take a cut. Earnings vary widely by city, time and demand, but 100% of the tips are yours to keep.
Amazon Flex. Use use your own vehicles to deliver Amazon packages. The service is free to join and you get paid per delivery shift worked ($72 – $150 for 3–5 hour shifts). You’ll also have the chance to earn even more during peak seasons and holidays. You must be based in an area where Amazon Flex operates.
Stride. This app automatically tracks your mileage, logs expenses and income, and helps you maximize tax deductions with IRS-ready reports. Best part? It doesn’t cost a thing.
What it costs
Gas (U.S. average in May 2026 is $4.49 per gallon) and vehicle wear and tear.
How much you can make
On average, retirees can earn $15–$30 per hour during peak times (after expenses). Part-time: $800 – $2,500 per month.
Why it’s great for retirees
Total flexibility. Work when you want, listen to podcasts or audiobooks while driving, and get out of the house with no long-term commitment.
Tax tips for your retirement side hustle
Starting a side hustle in retirement is exciting, but staying on top of taxes will help you keep more of what you earn. Here’s what every retiree should know in 2026:
1. You’ll owe self-employment tax
Most side hustles count as self-employment income and you’ll pay self-employment tax on your net earnings. But the good news is that once you reach full retirement age, earning extra income no longer reduces your Social Security benefits.
2. Make quarterly estimated tax payments
The IRS expects you to pay estimated taxes quarterly. Mark these deadlines on your calendar:
April 15, 2026 (Q1)
June 15, 2026 (Q2)
September 15, 2026 (Q3)
January 15, 2027 (Q4)
Use IRS Form 1040-ES or set up payments directly on IRS.gov.
3. Track every deduction
Keep detailed records with apps like QuickBooks Self-Employed, MileIQ, or Expensify.
Common deductions include:
- Home office (if you have a dedicated space)
- Mileage or vehicle expenses
- Business portion of Internet, phone, and computer costs
- Supplies, tools and equipment
- Marketing and advertising
- Health insurance premiums (100% deductible if self-employed)
- Retirement contributions
Tips for success
- Start small: Choose one service or product to avoid overwhelming yourself. Remember, you’re retired.
- Protect your benefits: If you're under full retirement age, keep your earnings below $23,400 per year to avoid Social Security reductions.
- Leverage your experience: Highlight your decades of expertise in your profiles or marketing to build trust with clients.
- Stay safe: Avoid scams by sticking to reputable platforms, such as those listed above. Never share personal financial details with unverified clients.
- Enjoy the journey: Pick a side hustle that aligns with your passions, whether it’s pets, teaching, driving or crafting. The goal of a side gig is to stay active, engaged and financially secure while having fun.
A side hustle can keep you happy in retirement
“The key to thriving in a side hustle is choosing tools that feel approachable and build your confidence," said Christina Muller, LCSW, Licensed Workplace Mental Health Expert and Strategist at R3 Continuum.
"That sense of momentum taps into something deeper: Our human need for purpose and alignment," she said. "When you feel productive, you're far more likely to be productive.”
Grab your laptop, pick a platform, and start building your unretirement adventure today.
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