Retired and substitute for City Clerk

by Joan S
(Iowa)

Once I retired from my bookkeeping position at our local law office, I knew that I would have to keep my mind active as well as my body. So I tried to find something to do, locally and over the internet, to challenge me and to bring in a little extra income for those "little somethings" that mean so much.

The position that brings me the greatest satisfaction and income is being the substitute for our local City Clerk. Whenever she goes to meetings, is sick, or goes on vacation, I fill in at city hall.

This job is just a six-hour day which is perfect for me. She likes the idea that, if she wakes up sick, I am available at a moment's notice to cover for her. I answer the phone, enter employee hours, enter electricity invoices for the different departments, receive water and sewer payments and issue receipts for those, etc.

This job pays $11.33/hr, which doesn't sound like much, but for a retired senior citizen it is great.

Then I also participate in surveys over the internet which pay out cash, gift certificates, savings bonds, or merchandise. These take patience and much time, but are usually quite interesting. Last year I ended up making around $750, and so far this year I have earned over $100.

Included in these surveys are two scanning projects where I scan all items that I purchase and in so doing earn money on a Visa card, or merchandise. The companies send me the scanner and transmitting equipment and the rest is up to me. I have found these companies to be very trustworthy, and have had no problems.

Also we had a young man purchase our local newspaper a few years back and when he started up, he needed volunteer help. I volunteered to be a proof reader, and enjoyed that as I am very good at spelling and grammar. And it meant a lot to him while he was trying to get his business going. He has a full time paid staff now and no longer needs volunteers.

My name is Joan S., I am 81 years old, married and I live in the Midwest, in a small town in central Iowa.