Returning to work: Inflation is pushing some retirees to find additional income

Inflation is making it challenging for many people to balance their budgets. The tough times are creating tough people. Some are returning to the workforce after retirement to make ends meet.

“I thought I was going to be comfortable with retirement,” said Cindee Addessi.

Addessi’s retirement isn’t turning out exactly as she planned. While she is getting the opportunity to flex her green thumb in her garden, “I’m getting a little concerned,” said Addessi.

The green in her garden is not the type of green she’s worried about.

“The way it has been going with gas prices and grocery prices, and things like this.” When Addessi did the math, the numbers didn’t add up even after refinancing her house.

“I have to say, going back to an eight-hour day. Even just two days a week, I come home, and I’m dragging,” said Addessi.

She decided to go back into the workforce, doing a job she enjoys. “But it’s good tired. I feel like I’ve accomplished something, and I’ve done some good for people, and I’ve done some good for me,” said Addessi.

The extra money provides a cushion, but it is still challenging.

“I just feel like I made a mistake. And in a way, I do think it’s wrong. I’ve worked since I was 14-years-old. And I deserve time off,” said Addessi.

It’s hard to know how many retired people are working again to make ends meet. Estimates start at about 3%.

A lot of people retired early during the pandemic. How many of them stay retired is unknown.

“I think, as we get older, our opportunities are there,” said Addessi.

When Addessi is not on the job or tending to the garden, she’s working on cutting costs in creative ways.

“I’m kind of appreciative of the companies that I contacted and said, ‘hey, is there something you can do for me.’ Like the cable company and my wifi. They’re going to help elderly people,” said Addessi.

She’s also teaming up with her neighbors. “I said, you know, we can go to the membership store and share. I don’t need 10 pounds of potatoes.” And passing up some extra expenses. “You know, when you’ve been comfortable and gone, ‘hey, I like that, oh, what the heck.’ You just go, ‘hey, I like that,’ and keep going. And that’s probably one of the toughest things is being able to control yourself and control your spending,” said Addessi.

Addessi uses creativity and determination to tend to life’s unexpected weeds and keep her out of the financial weeds.

“It’s helping me sleep at night,” said Addessi.

One of the positive things she shared with us is how receptive companies were to hiring older workers. The only drawback, she said, is that many companies wanted full-time workers, not part-time.