How To Find Flexible Work, Protect Your Bones, and Cut Monthly Costs

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Whether you want to stay active, earn extra income, or try something new, part-time work can be a great fit in retirement. Today’s job market offers flexible options—from in-person roles to online projects—that can match your pace and interests.

If you enjoy interacting with people, look for part-time roles at your local library, school, museum, or hospital. Many community organizations appreciate the reliability and warmth retirees bring to front-desk, greeter, or assistant positions. Seasonal jobs—like helping at garden centers, holiday shops, or polling stations—offer short bursts of work without long-term commitments.

You can also browse reliable, age-friendly listings on AARP’s Job Board or check community bulletin boards at your local library or senior center.

If you’d like something more independent, consider short-term projects or small business ideas that let you set your own hours. Freelance sites such as Upwork offer opportunities in writing, tutoring, and customer support, while creative hobbyists can sell handmade or vintage items on Etsy.

You might also explore local service platforms or community networks like Nextdoor, where neighbors hire help for errands, organizing, or pet sitting. These smaller, community-based projects often build friendships as much as they bring in income.

💌 If you found these ideas helpful, forward this newsletter to a friend. You might inspire someone else to find their next great side project.

“The Piano Lesson”
From the life overview of Dennis K., 81, St. Paul, Minnesota. Shared with permission.

When I retired, I didn’t know what to do with myself. My wife suggested I take piano lessons. I laughed—she might as well have told me to learn ballet. But she signed me up anyway. Wednesday afternoons, one hour a week, with a teacher young enough to be my granddaughter.

At first, my fingers felt like ten uncooperative sausages. I couldn’t find middle C if it had been labeled with a neon sign. But she was patient. She’d nod and say, “That’s progress,” even when it clearly wasn’t. Somewhere along the way, I stopped trying to improve and just started enjoying the sound.

Now, every morning, I play the same wobbly handful of songs. The neighbors probably hate me, but I like the ritual—the way the house feels a little more awake afterward. My hands don’t always do what I tell them to, but sometimes—just for a few notes—they remember.

I’ve learned you don’t have to be good at something for it to be worth doing. The joy of trying sticks around longer than perfection ever does.

***

Smithsonian Institution Open Access Digital Collections
Explore millions of high-resolution images and 3D models—from artworks and artifacts to natural-history specimens—through the Smithsonian’s freely available archive. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon immersed in beauty and history, viewing everything from rare botanical prints to ancient tools in remarkable detail.

Cellar Rat: My Life in the Restaurant Underbelly
In this candid memoir, Hannah Selinger lifts the curtain on nearly two decades spent in the hidden world of fine dining. From New York’s glittering restaurant scene to the kitchens and wine cellars where ambition and exhaustion meet, Selinger writes with unflinching honesty about power, invisibility, and the cost of devotion to one’s craft. Her story captures both the seduction and the strain of an industry built on perfection.

Open Yale Courses
An online portal offering free access to full lecture series delivered by Yale University professors, complete with video, audio, and transcripts. It offers thoughtful engagement with subjects like philosophy, history, and literature—learning for the pleasure of understanding, not for a grade.

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We’ll connect you (free) with trusted experts who help seniors solve everyday challenges, including:

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Two-factor authentication (often called 2FA) is a security feature that helps keep your online accounts safe—even if someone learns your password. It adds a short extra step when you sign in, but it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent identity theft and hacking.

When 2FA is turned on, you log in with your password and a second piece of information that proves it’s really you. Usually, this is a six-digit code sent by text message or generated by an app on your phone.

If someone steals or guesses your password, they still can’t access your account without that second code. It’s a small inconvenience that blocks most unauthorized access attempts.

To turn on 2FA for common services:

Once it’s set up, you’ll receive a code each time you log in from a new device.

Instead of using text messages, you can use an authenticator app that generates secure codes directly on your phone. Options include Google Authenticator and Authy. These work even if your phone doesn’t have service.

For the highest level of protection, consider a hardware security key like the YubiKey. It plugs into your computer or phone and confirms your identity instantly.

Two-factor authentication only takes a few minutes to set up, and once you do, it quietly safeguards your accounts every day.

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Unmissable American gem: Williamsburg, Virginia is a charming, history-rich destination where seniors can stroll through colonial streets, enjoy guided tours and gardens, and savor a relaxed blend of culture, comfort, and nostalgia.

Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object! Be the first to reply with the correct answer, and we’ll send you a free gift in the mail.

Today’s clue: Panelists filled in blanks with jokes, contestants tried to match them.

EHT AMTCH AMGE

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