10 business ideas for retirees

Whether out of necessity, opportunity or personal satisfaction, many retirees are starting their own small businesses. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

By Jeff Wuorio, MSN Money

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max sparticas
Nov 21, 2012 3:18AM
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Brutisbear, Great article on crime, America has 5% of the worlds population and 25% of the worlds prison population, obviously something is wrong with the war on drugs which accounts for 80% of incarcerations, costing American tax payers $100's of billions per year in incarceration cost and ruins millions of lives. Drug addiction should be treated as a public health issue, not criminal. Once you take the money out of Selling Drugs, you can also end the gang involvement, Cartels, Violence and massive incarceration rates associated with it. We need forward thinkers in government, not Corporate pawns.
troubled 00000
Nov 21, 2012 8:34AM
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as a retired person i watch cnbc cannot understand how they get away with the way they try to minulate the price of oil . first they come out and say that their is a surplus then two days later they and make stament that sandy is making a gas shortage.once they said that it was going to be cold it goes on and on
LTCKOHL
Nov 21, 2012 12:41PM
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Beginning with the decline of unions and the rise of 'gifts' for the upper class beginning with Reagan, the middle class has been squeezed economically so much that a tipping point is about to occur.  The upper class (job creators LOL) have never stimulated business, the middle class buying things stimulates business.  When you squeeze out 'buyers' you go out of business!  Republicans don't get that because the wealthy have lots of lobbyists like Norquist to keep the lie going that trickle down economics works!  It doesn't work.  Any economist worth their salt will tell you the same thing.  But the wealthy got that way by inheriting money and keeping it.  Don't ever expect the Republicans or the wealthy to tell the truth, but if the decline in the middle class continues, you will see riots in the streets again.
misterfiesty
Nov 21, 2012 12:11PM
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If you have to start a business, or create additional income - you are not retired.  It is a career change with some investment income on the side.  Apparently the authors of these articles do not understand the definition of retirement. 
JJ1171
Nov 21, 2012 2:35PM
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They get away with all this nonsense because voters 'believe' politicans.  Politicans are in it for the bucks/retirement/per​ks/medical, the fact that every person paying taxes is getting a major screwing is inconsequencial to them.  What amazes me is that people vote to pass items that will tke MORE money from their pay checks and away from their families.  Then vote to elect people that are horrible and have a proven track record of ignoring their consistuents.  I don't understand.
Skyhomish
Nov 21, 2012 1:47PM
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I laughed at the Daycare Provider suggestion. The child caring business is so over regulated now, one cannot simply jump into it. First you have to spend $$$ for training, a license, fingerprint and background check, required equipment. Then the State has to approve your facility, this will mean spending more $$$ to meet their codes. Once that is all done then it takes about 2 years to build your business. If your back ground check has something bad on it from 50 years ago, they won't approve you.

 

Then there is the dark side of this business. Which is the nutty parent who decides to complain because you didn't treat their child more special than others or made up some wild alegation of abuse that never happened. That's when the State comes in like a SWAT team, shuts you down with out explanation until they investigate further.Thus losing everything you have.

 

With the bad economy many childcare businesses have shut their doors, as many are choosing less expensive alternatives. Even the larger facilities have laid off workers to stay viable. It's never been a well paying job or business anyway.

max sparticas
Nov 21, 2012 3:00AM
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Brutisbear, I have to disagree, Keynesian economics has proven to be very effective in maximizing employment and minimizing down turns in the past. Keynesian Economics is simply a mathematical way of maintaining an equilibrium between employment, interest rates, savings, and growth of the economy. Nothing can fix the uncertainties of Capitalism, but Keynesian economics seeks to maximize economic potential whether in a down turn or up turn. The world is in a constant state of change and the Neo- Keynesian economics will help maximize employment and prosperity in our future, it's nothing more than common sense mathematics.
Aging Gracefully Nrf2
Nov 21, 2012 6:10PM
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Personally. I recommend relationship marketing for seniors who want to generate additonal income in their retirement years.  I encourage people to consider their network and think about solving a problem or meeting a need.  Also, consume-able products that are unique (patented and validated)  /  can only be purchased through a distributor, (prefereably on the web) are ideal because they keep customers coming back and don't require inventory.  Other key conisderations when looking into an opportunity: timing, trends (think the multi-billion $ wellness and anti-aging industry), potential for growth, ease of sharing, corporate culture and ROI. I love working with seniors and I find they are excited to be part of something exciting and enjoy making money! 
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