You have retired and for the first few years although the cost of everything is going up, you have been able to cope. You have put away what should have been totally adequate, to see you through the rest of your life. Perhaps you are just starting retirement and suddenly with the downturn in the world economy your finances do not look quite as sufficient as they used to. So what do you do?

You look around for something to do that will give you an income to add to your shrinking retirement package.

Now there are many lucrative small home business ideas that you may be interested in, but they may not be ideal for you. All you need is something simple that will bring you a supplementary income and alleviate the continual financial stress.

Start by looking at what your strengths are. Do you like working outdoors, do you like working and interacting with people, or do you prefer working on your own in a solitary environment?

You must be passionate about whatever small business opportunity you choose, otherwise there is the danger that you will not stay motivated. It has to be fun, after all you have spent a lifetime working to get to where you are.

Do a bit of research on your target market. You must settle on, either a service or a product that is needed and wanted, in order to have a viable small business, that will bring in your supplementary income. Keep in mind that it is better to work smart and not hard.

Here are some ideas for opening a small business:- multi-level marketing, flower arrangement service for offices, dog walking service,hair stylist service from home, house sitting, secretarial service, landscaping and garden service, pool cleaning service, interior decorating, website design, crafts for craft markets, tax consultant, shopping service for the incapacitated, internet marketing and there are many more that I am sure you can think of.

Any business you start has the potential to grow into a real goldmine, it all depends on supply and demand. Of course a member of the family would be an asset to help you, and get to know the full operational details, should you need help.

Assuming you are the type of person who enjoys spending time in front of a computer screen, and would like to turn it into a money making opportunity, then this is for you. This type of business allows you to work during times which suit you and you have the advantage of recruiting affiliates to multiply your effectiveness. It is not hard physical works so can be done by anyone of any age. You have complete control of your startup capital when starting this business. All you need is a computer with a broadband connection to the internet. If you set your business up correctly, it will eventually run with a relatively small amount of work so you will still have the retirement freedom you are used to with no finanacial worry.

If you choose the right program there are a lot of very experienced people willing to help you succeed. The world population is increasing by the second which means an ever increasing resource pool for you to tap into, but how. Now is the time to open a small business so that you are all set and going by the time you give up work. Is it time you started enjoying yourself? By that I mean making money in your new business, whatever it may be, imagine less stress and more excitement as you reap the benefits of being in control of your destiny.