# What is your ideal semi-retirement job? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 21, 2019, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ideal-semi-retirement-job/829986 "2019-02-21T21:43:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ideal-semi-retirement-job/829986/61 "2019-02-24T00:51:33Z")
Mounted librarian, delivering books to people beyond the reach of roads, on horseback. Well, it used to be [a real job.](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/horse-riding-librarians-were-great-depression-bookmobiles-180963786/) Maybe it will be again. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ideal-semi-retirement-job/829986/62 "2019-02-24T00:59:53Z")
I think working as a service writer in a truck repair facility would be a good job for me. I spent the majority of my life as a working shop foreman. I am still health enough to work hard but don’t have any desire to get into the grease anymore. I would be happy with $15.00 per hour if the job was not too much pressure. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ideal-semi-retirement-job/829986/63 "2019-02-24T02:12:41Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Every Amazon shipment I get (at least one a week) I think about you guys.🙂 You should come to work with us for a couple weeks just for the helluvit. You would never order anything fragile again 🙂 Actually a local who has been a big book seller with us for ages did work with us for a month just for the shits and giggles. He was fun to work a line with. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ideal-semi-retirement-job/829986/64 "2019-02-24T13:23:46Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > You would never order anything fragile again 🙂 Actually, I’m impressed by Amazon’s packaging of fragile items. I order light bulbs for our tortoise fairly often and so far have never had a problem. > [@kopek](#): > > You should come to work with us for a couple weeks just for the helluvit. Im sure it’s nothing like I imagine. I picture guys casually filling orders, chuckling about the odd things people purchase. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2019, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ideal-semi-retirement-job/829986/65 "2019-02-24T19:08:41Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Im sure it’s nothing like I imagine. I picture guys casually filling orders, chuckling about the odd things people purchase. Our side is fast-paced like its hard to imagine. You walk 4-5 miles in three hours and never go more than say 25 yards and most of us can scan and palletize 200+ packages an hour. I talk a LOT but always while still moving. We never see the contents unless -------- well, we do get stressed out and pissed off now and then and you remember those boxes printed to look like footballs? I heard tell of a few that burst open when drop-kicked the length of a 53 foot trailer. Oh ----- and there always is the odd butt-plug or double-dong that falls from a damaged package but you really get used to that pretty fast. Oh ----- and leaking containers of Liquid Ass. Come to think about it, we do see more than we want to about the things we ship. It’s not just a job; it’s an adventure. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ideal-semi-retirement-job/829986/66 "2019-02-25T08:51:38Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > I just checked back in to mention that I’m a bit surprised at some of the answers. I know the OP asked about staying “semi-busy,” but he also mentioned staying within SSA limitations on earned income. Most of the suggestions seem to be full-time…or more. I opted to work the least amount of time making the most money (within SSA rules) so I would have the maximum amount of time for family, personal activities, and hobbies. Neither American nor living in the USA, so es-es-a can kiss my a-es-es. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2019, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ideal-semi-retirement-job/829986/67 "2019-02-26T16:48:55Z")
I hope to devote as much time as possible to charities and community service. ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2019, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ideal-semi-retirement-job/829986/68 "2019-02-26T20:41:57Z")
Write a book and hit the speaking circuit. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2019, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ideal-semi-retirement-job/829986/69 "2019-02-26T21:00:15Z")
I’m already working my semi-retirement job: I keep the books for my curling club. It’s interesting without being stressful, and I’m my own boss. Plus I have a nicer office than I did in the open-plan shitholes that corporations were stuffing people into before I retired. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2019, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ideal-semi-retirement-job/829986/70 "2019-02-26T21:26:44Z")
I’ve often thought of working as a starter for a golf club. Just hang out on the 1st tee, and tell the 4-somes when to go. Golf courses are usually pleasant, laid-back places. Most golfers are in a good mood as they start, and adhere to some degree of decorum. 3-season work. Generally allow free use of the course, range, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2019, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ideal-semi-retirement-job/829986/71 "2019-02-27T12:49:30Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I’ve often thought of working as a starter for a golf club. Just hang out on the 1st tee, and tell the 4-somes when to go. Golf courses are usually pleasant, laid-back places. Most golfers are in a good mood as they start, and adhere to some degree of decorum. > > 3-season work. Generally allow free use of the course, range, etc. What do you call the guys on the course who drive around and generally keep play going? Rangers or something? I know alot of retired guys who do this? ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2019, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ideal-semi-retirement-job/829986/72 "2019-02-27T13:33:16Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > Our side is fast-paced like its hard to imagine. You walk 4-5 miles in three hours and never go more than say 25 yards and most of us can scan and palletize 200+ packages an hour. I talk a LOT but always while still moving. > … I had a claimant once who described their past work packing orders at Amazon. I forget the specifics, by MY GOD! - the pace was phenomenal. Every time I see one of their big buildings now, my heart kinda sinks, thinking about the hive labor going on inside… > [@](#): > > What do you call the guys on the course who drive around and generally keep play going? Rangers or something? I know alot of retired guys who do this? Yeah, a lot of jobs at golf courses retired guys often fill. I said starter instead of ranger, solely because the ranger might encounter folk out on the course when they are drunk, causing a slow-up, or pissed about a slow-up. Whereas on the 1st tee, everybody is happy. no one has hit a bad shot yet! 😃 Hell, I’d even drive the mowers, or drag the traps! ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2019, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ideal-semi-retirement-job/829986/73 "2019-02-27T20:53:37Z")
My wife and I recently bought the farm - literally, not figuratively. The place we bought was an organic farm. For now we plan to raise fruit, veggies and animals in enough quantity for our family. Once I retire we’ll go more full scale organic gardening and either sell at existing farmer’s markets or set up a market in one of the outbuildings on our property. Or both. Makes me long for retirement even more than I already, for sure! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ideal-semi-retirement-job/829986.md?page=3)