Part time casual work at 60

Could you do consultancy work?

Always lots of care jobs but long (12 hour +) shifts can be the norm. It’s physically hard work. Retail tends to have shorter shifts but is quite hard to find - huge numbers of applications for each job.

Could you set up your own business so you can dictate when/where you work?

I’ve done all sorts around a severely disabled (now adult) child for years. Fewer hours of skilled (better paid) consultancy type work tends to be far easier than physically demanding casual work (most casual work is physically demanding for us oldies). Unless you really need the sociability of being employed in a workplace (which is a benefit) I would think about whether you can create some sort of role for yourself. I have always set myself up as a sole trader so tax/paperwork easy.

I guess it depends where you live and what you’re prepared to do. Plenty of part time retail, restaurant and caring opportunities down our way.

Downsizing might make those savings enough to live on? I was amazed at the difference it made having a smaller house and not having the expenses of working.

Just a thought.

My work today is commercial contract management but I’m reaching burnout. After 40 odd years in stressful environment I’ve had enough. I want to spend more quality time with the people I love. I want to quit and live off my savings. It’s those savings I want to supplement without an intray.
When I was a teenager I did all sorts of casual work including retail and hospitality. I’d love to go back to that and get away from a laptop.

Employers do value the reliability, experience and common sense of older employees. They may have concerns about failing health and frailty, though, so casual work is easier to find (less risk for the company).

We are in direct competition with mothers so hours outside school times are more available. It's much easier to get extra work than to cut down, so maybe start with about fifteen hours? Your opportunities will largely depend on what area of work you have experience or training in.

Supermarkets often employ older people. A friend had a art time job at Waitrose until she was 80.

It also depends on your skills and working background.

DH is a chartered engineer and has been working intermittently on a freelance basis since he retired. He is now 76.