Author: Mary Ann

  • Work from Home: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Risks

    For many reasons you may want to work from home.   Working from home provides a flexible schedule, no stress from commuting, increased productivity and performance, and the opportunity to impact sustainability and make a positive environmental impact. Other advantages remote workers have cited include

    • Saving money –   the No. 1 joy of remote work – according to workers. Nearly two-thirds cited a fatter savings account as a top benefit of working from home. No longer having to commute contributes to this savings.
    • Living where you want:  you can move closer to family, move closer to a romantic partners, move to your dream city, move from an area that has overpriced housing, move to a location that has the specialized medical care that you or a family member needs.
    • Travelling more:  As long as you have phone and internet service, you can explore the world while doing your job.
    • Inclusion:  steady employment for individuals with disabilities and caregivers who need flexibility to hold jobs and follow their career goals. 
    (more…)

  • Jobs – New in Past 20 Years

    If you’re looking for a job, there are many new opportunities available now as unemployment remains low and hiring demand stays high. Some are new occupations that didn’t exist 20 years ago.

    Some of these newer occupations already have become popular among older adults, for example, 84 percent of Uber drivers are age 41 and older (job discrimination begins at age 40), according to a report from Brainvire, a technology industry consulting firm.  The Ride-hailing service Uber launched in 2009, has quickly become an accessible job opportunity for workers of all ages.

    Ways to Benefit

    The following 16 jobs, listed alphabetically, show just how much the types of career opportunities available can change in just a few years. Average wage data is from salary.com. and other sources.

    BUDTENDER

    Why it started: Legalization of recreational marijuana in 2012.

    Average wage: $18.00

    Budtenders typically earn between $20 and $100+ per shift in tips, which translates to an additional $2 to $10+ per hour on top of their base hourly wage.

    A budtender is a title of a staff member who works within a dispensary or store where medical or recreational cannabis is sold.  The job has evolved dramatically from an informal, niche position into a mainstream retail career after Colorado and Washington legalized recreational cannabis in 2012. Budtenders now act as highly regulated hospitality and compliance professionals who must navigate strict point-of-sale tracking software and state-specific safety regulations.

    Training and certification may be useful in obtaining a position, but there is no single mandatory nationwide license for budtenders.  Free training/certificate:    https://www.flowhub.com/budtender-basic-training Cannabis Budtender Certification (CCBT) is a nationally recognized professional credential issued by the National Career Certification Board (NCCB).  However, cannabis laws are dictated locally; depending on where you live, you may need a separate, mandatory state-approved certificate.

    (more…)

  • The Preneur Family  –  Halfpreneurs and Others

     “Preneur”  is French in origin and means taker, someone who seizes opportunities, someone who takes action.

    My guess was that the solopreneur, a person who sets up and runs a business entirely by themselves, acting as the sole owner, operator, and worker without any partners or full-time employees came first, but historians say I may be wrong.  In early villages, towns, and cities, only one person worked as the doctor, lawyer, tailor, seamstress, blacksmith, barber.   There may have been multiple tailors or blacksmith but each ran their own business. 

    Many people still work today as solopreneurs and it works well as a business form for those nearing or of retirement age.  The key characteristics of the Solopreneur are: 

    (more…)

  • Finding a Job Match for Seniors with ADHD

    Part-time work or active volunteering provides the essential structure, social engagement, and mental stimulation that seniors with ADHD need during retirement.   Work replaces structure, preserves identity, and regulates dopamine.   The ADHD brains need novelty, purpose, urgency, and feedback and the removal of work often removes time anchors, identity validation, dopamine loops.

    Even if you find a job that is great fit, ADHD symptoms can pose day-to-day challenges.       Here are some tips for managing ADHD in the workplace.

    Use Structure and Routines: Develop daily routines to provide external structure. For example, create a morning ritual to organize your day, or set specific times to check email instead of constantly checking. Routines help automate things you might otherwise forget. Also, schedule brief “short breaks” between tasks—a short walk or stretch can reset your focus. Regular breaks help prevent burnout and keep ADHD individuals focused.

    Take Advantage of Hyperfocus: When you find yourself in the zone on a productive task, ride that wave (as long as priorities allow)! Just be careful to come up for air as needed. You might communicate with your colleagues that when your door is closed or status set to “do not disturb,” you’re in deep focus mode.

    (more…)

  • ADHD and Retirement

    There has been very little research on ADHD, prevalence or impact in the latter stages of life.  It was not until 2013 that ADHD was recognized as a lifelong neurological difference and diagnosis of adults became more common. It is not a static condition, and it is not a new disorder.  It has been noted by physicians for hundreds of years but under different names.  Before the 1980s, the disorder was known in the United States and Western Europe as minimal brain dysfunction or hyperkinetic reaction, diagnoses physicians rarely gave. From the early 1980s until 2013, it was considered a disorder of childhood and outgrown by adulthood, although some clinicians and ADHD adults knew better.

    Symptoms often improve in adulthood when individuals find jobs that suit their interests, temperament and personality.   We now realize work provides a powerful external structure that compensates for ADHD’s executive function deficits, as some adults with ADHD survive, even thrive in structured work environments.  ADHD often seems to disappear until retirement is seriously contemplated or begins.  

    The loss of structure that work provided is a problem for many people in early retirement, as retirement is a critical transition from a structured world of work to a more open and fluid way of living.  This change, however, is a major issue for those with ADHD.  Why?   A  structured work environment provides conditions that are difficult to create at home and on your own:

    (more…)

  • Base Your Work on Your Interests or Hobbies

    Many interests and hobbies can be turned into part-time jobs, profitable side hustles, or small businesses.  If the full-time position that you are retiring from didn’t align with your interests, now might be the time to discover how identifying your interests can enhance your life.

    When your work is aligned with your interests, you:

    • feel more fulfilled and experience job satisfaction.
    • are generally more motivated to excel in your work
    • engage in work that encourages continuous learning and skill enhancement
    • increase your emotional well-being, reducing stress and increasing happiness

    Common interests that lead to successful retirement work often align with personal passions and strengths, such as artistic creativity, analytical thinking, or social engagement. Identifying these interests early can significantly enhance your work satisfaction and success.  Some examples of these alignments include:

    Creative and Digital Hobbies

    • Writing: Transform blogging or creative writing into freelance copywriting, technical writing, or self-published books.
    • Photography & Videography: Shoot portraits, weddings, or commercial promotional content using platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to find clients.
    • Graphic Design & Coding: Build digital assets, logos, or custom websites for small businesses.

    Crafting and Making Goods

    • Woodworking & Pottery: Craft handmade decor, custom furniture, or ceramics to sell on online storefronts like Etsy.
    • Baking & Cooking: Specialize in custom cakes, artisan sourdough, or catering local events.
    • Soap & Candle Making: Produce small-batch consumable goods that encourage repeat customer purchases.

    Wellness and Lifestyle

    • Fitness: Become a certified personal trainer, yoga instructor, or digital coach using platforms like Trainerize.
    • Pet Care: Offer dog walking or pet sitting through apps like Rover or Care.com.

    Your interests might also be in science and healthcare, education and counseling, leadership and management.   Exploring your hobbies and interests as well as your past work experience will help you choose the work you will find fulfilling in your life’s next chapter.

  • High Paying Remote Jobs

    If you like the work that you have been doing and have the experience, training, licenses, or certifications needed to continue in this work or similar work, but part-time and from home, this list may help you out or give you some ideas on what positions may be available.

    For more information and ideas go to; https://www.onetonline.org and enter the job title in which you are interested into Occupation keyword search.

    1.  Web designer

    This isn’t the easiest field to get into without some previous experience, but the jobs typically do not require a degree. If you’re looking to make a career switch, this is a profession where the job opportunities will grow for years, according to the BLS. Some coding boot camps cater to older adults, and there are also free and affordable online courses available through AARP Skills Builder for Work and other sites.  Before beginning your job search you may want to compile a portfolio of websites you’ve built, showcasing your HTML and programming skills along with any measurable results.   Average salary: $45.85 per hour

    (more…)

  • Work from Home  –  Online Jobs for Seniors

    For people who want to earn money from the comfort of home, there are many online jobs that require varying degrees of experience. Pay, hours, and qualifications vary by role, and some jobs may require prior experience, certifications, or specific software skills. If a listing asks for an upfront payment, it’s probably a scam.  Legitimate work-from-home jobs typically do not require upfront payments.

    The pay scale for remote work for retirees can vary tremendously. The following list describes 10 jobs that pay around $20 – $25 an hour. Opportunities that require specialized qualifications can pay significantly more, and they will be in a future blog.

    1. Customer Service

    You’d be surprised how many jobs there are for customer service representatives who want to work from home. You might be hired to help customers via phone, social media, or chat. You could be working with products or services, from selling kitchenware to answering questions about healthcare services. Or if you have management experience, you might manage a team of home-based customer service representatives. This is a job that requires patience and a love of working with people.

    2. Virtual Assistant

    Virtual assistants tackle jobs that companies don’t have the money or inclination to hire full-time employees for. This might include anything from handling social media to managing customer emails or handling the CEO’s schedule. Often, they work for small companies, but they may be called in to help large ones as well. Some virtual assistants make very good money — six figures, even. The key is to create a niche, an area where you already have expertise to set yourself apart from the competition.

    (more…)

  • What Is the Best Side Hustle for Retirees?

    The best side hustle for you will depend on your skills, interests, financial needs, physical health and energy, and available time and equipment. For instance, if you have a chunk of free time and a car at your disposal, you might drive a rideshare, such as Uber. If you have deep knowledge on a certain topic, you might become a consultant.

    Before you jump into the first side hustle opportunity that comes your way, consider your goals and skill set.  What you want from your new part-time job.  Knowing your goal—whether it’s increasing your retirement income, staying active, or pursuing a passion—will help inform your choice.

    If your primary objective is to earn additional income to keep up with your living expenses, look for the most lucrative side hustle, leveraging any high-demand skills or assets you may have. On the other hand, if you want to stay active and fill your spare time, find jobs that interest you and the extra cash will be a bonus.

    (more…)

  • New Focus

    Halfpreneur has a new look and a new focus:  working during retirement.

    In recent memory, retirement was a one-day event when you ended your full-time job and stopped working.  This traditional way of retiring is still common, but the definition of retirement has changed to retirement as the transition from full-time work to no longer engaging in paid work. This transition can include paid work may last for years.

    Those who work past the age of 65 give many reasons: needing structure and routine in their lives, missing the identity a job provided, missing the opportunity to spend time helping or being with other people, seeking meaningful activity or a purpose, earning a salary for current needs or to add to retirement funds.

    During ages 55 to 70 plus, it may be time to enjoy the work that we do and do it on a part-time or flexible basis.   So, with my background as a resume writer, career coach, more than 20 years teaching Self-assessment and Career Planning at a community college, an ADHD Life Coaching course, and a recent certification as a Retirement Coach, I decided to refocus this blog on part-time work for those of retirement age and offer Retirement Career Coaching.

    What does a Retirement Career Coach do? 

    (more…)