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Flexible working in retirement

13 replies

Imtoooldforallthis · 18/05/2020 18:05

I've asked this before but wondering if anyone has any new ideas. DH and I looking at early retirement, we have both run small successful businesses for the last 30 years working 6/7 days a week. We have frankly had enough, missed out on a lot. We do want to work, but we would like to do something that we could stop/start. Mainly so we can travel, spend some time with elderly parents, grandchildren etc. Neither of us has any skills apart from in business, but are both very practical and hard working. Has anyone done anything similar that they could recommend.

OP posts:
LouiseTrees · 18/05/2020 18:19

My old manager became an independent trustee for pension schemes. If you are in finance type business might be an option

Imtoooldforallthis · 18/05/2020 18:29

No unfortunately, small village retail.

OP posts:
ThroughThickAndThin01 · 19/05/2020 07:39

Well one of the businesses and both work for the other one? Employ someone very part t8me who could take over if you are both off at the same time.

Ellmau · 21/05/2020 00:55

Could you keep the shop going but pay someone to run it?

Pet/Housesitting?

Imtoooldforallthis · 21/05/2020 06:59

I don't think keeping shop is going to work, is is the staffing, ordering, and the mental stress that we need to get away from.

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fullofgoodintentions · 21/05/2020 07:28

Do you live near a large town or city? How about market research? You could both sign up to do it, you can work for several different companies on a freelance basis and work as and when you want, the only problem is that the income isn't guaranteed. You just get offered work when it's available.

Pluckedpencil · 21/05/2020 07:43

I think you need to be clearer about why you want to continue working. Is it for the money? The mental stimulation?
Because that reason will define the job. For example, if you want flexibility to travel but are willing to put some serious time into making and monetising a good blog, it can be done, but it won't give you head space. If you want to stop having to think about work, the best option would be a job in retail where you are simply an employee, but that won't give you the flexibility. If you want flexibility to travel, head space and money, then what you are describing is a pension.

MaybeDoctor · 21/05/2020 07:54

I think you need to be an employee or freelancer, but one who works on an ad-hoc basis.

Can you offer holiday cover to other shop owners?

Taxi driver?
Work at a visitor attraction or similar?

Imtoooldforallthis · 21/05/2020 07:56

We both need a little bit of ' beer money' to cover hobbies etc, we have two properties instead of pensions that will cover our bills. We are thinking gardening, man with van type of thing although I know there are plenty of people doing that already. The only other thing I thought of doing was product demonstration, but not sure there is enough money in it. Only thinking about £70-£100 a week.

OP posts:
Ellmau · 21/05/2020 11:37

I don't think keeping shop is going to work, is is the staffing, ordering, and the mental stress that we need to get away from.

I was thinking you pay a manager to do it all, and take profits over that. But maybe the margins wouldn't work.

Imtoooldforallthis · 21/05/2020 12:16

No margins wouldn't work. Had a brainwave though, though about doing estate agent viewings, not sure how much need there is, but I would love that job.

OP posts:
fullofgoodintentions · 24/05/2020 09:45

Most estate agents have staff that do viewings these days, it's only the really big agents round here that hire someone to do them.

Justgivemesomepeace · 24/05/2020 10:13

Estate agents round here hire people to do viewings only. I'd love that too. I also looked at exam invigilator as a casual type job. No experience needed for that. Obviously not much good this year but hopefully will be going forwards.

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