“Can I call you back, sweetie? I’m tasking.” Yes, mom. Call me back when you’re done.
This is commonplace when I call my mom and dad these days. My parents have found a new career in “retirement”: They’re busy bunnies, also known as TaskRabbits.
They’ve taken on tasks to go grocery shopping, wait in line to pick up BBQ for company parties and heck, dad even got paid to joyride in a Porsche to an owner’s new home 200 miles away.
TaskRabbit is keeping my parents busy and they love it. They are basically just getting paid to help out—a role they know well after raising three kids.
“Can we call you back? And did you get the pictures we sent of little Toby? Dad and I are about to take him for a walk in the neighborhood. He’s just adorable!” Yes, mom. Call me back. Enjoy your walk.
My parents are now San Francisco Rover.com sitters too. Our former furry family members were great pet sitting tutors for all of us over the years. A little scratch behind the ears, a neighborhood walk and some snuggle time in front of the TV after dinner, my parent’s know just what to do.
They have watched a shitsu (“Such a cute little underbite”), a golden retriever (“He follows dad around just like Dudley did”), a French bulldog (“He looks like a gremlin—it’s hilarious, but do they always snore this much?”) and a mutt named Larry that loved my mom’s slippers a little too much.
It’s awesome to hear them enjoying the companionship of a dog again, but without the stress of owning a dog full-time.
Ken Blanchard and Morton Shaevitz’s latest book, “Refire! Don’t Retire: Make the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life,” warns that too many people see their later years as a time to endure rather than a time of endless possibilities.
“Both research and common sense confirm that people who embrace these years with gusto—rather than withdrawing or waiting for things to happen—consistently make the rest of their lives the best of their lives,” says Blanchard.
Whether you need the money or simply enjoy having an agenda, working after retirement can be a smart decision. Companies like Rover.com allow retirees to work flexible hours, part time, and interact with lots of new people.
Best Senior Opportunities
- Rover.com: Whether you want to be a full-time dog sitter or just want to dog sit when you have free time, Rover makes it easy to earn money doing something fun.
- TaskRabbit: TaskRabbit will help you build your own business by connecting you to opportunities to make a living. From handyman and house cleaning tasks to shopping and deliveries, you can become an entrepreneur on their platform.
- Research for businesses or universities
- Work in retail part-time (particularly at holiday season)
- Work for your local sports team. These kinds of jobs can run the gamut from ushering spectators to their seats to running the front office.
- Tutor local students
- Tour leader (guides, walking tours, bus trips)
- Consultant (project assignments)
- Accountant (particularly at tax season)
Stay Active, Seniors!
The secret sauce to aging gracefully and slowly: staying active. And the other tip to staying young that my mom shared with me: “Stop calling me a senior!”
