100 side hustles. Zero brainstorming. Ready to stop scrolling job boards and start building something of your own? A curated list of 100 real side hustle ideas spanning e-commerce, services, content, and weird corners of the internet most people never think to look Opportunities at every level, whether you have 5 hours a week or 50, zero capital or a small runway Offbeat, under-the-radar ideas you won't find in generic "how to make money" listicles
The 10 Best AI Stocks to Own in 2026 AI is moving from experiment… to essential. Every major industry is integrating it. Every major company is investing in it. By late 2025, AI was already an $800B market — growing at a pace that could push it well beyond $1 trillion in the years ahead. Cloud infrastructure is scaling fast. AI-enabled devices are multiplying. Automation is becoming standard. But here’s the real question… When trillions flow into this transformation — which stocks stand to benefit most? If you want exposure to one of the defining growth trends of this decade, start here. | Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Thursday newsletter is here! | Today we’re sharing fun tips on Mystery Series with Older Protagonists, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more! |
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| | | | | | | What We’re Reading | Get these e-book deals before they're gone. | | Held Under (Held Thrillers Book 1) | By: Devoray Camp | A man walks into Puget Sound and then asks for Dr. Wren Alcott by name. He claims he witnessed a murder thirty years ago, committed by a sixteen-year-old girl in a green coat. Wren lived where it happened and fit the age. But she remembers nothing. As buried secrets surface, she must confront a terrifying question: Can she trust her own mind? | Get it for just $0.99 today! |
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| | Fatal Destiny: A Grace deHaviland Bounty Hunter Thriller | By: David DeLee | Introducing a pulse-pounding crime thriller series perfect for fans of female-led thrillers, private investigator mysteries, vigilante justice, and fast-paced action suspense, this series delivers nonstop twists, shocking revelations, and edge-of-your-seat tension. “Plot twists and turns will put you on the edge of your seat and have you speed reading to keep up.” — Suspense Magazine | $3.99 — Get it for just $0.99 today! |
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| | In the Hands of the Other | By: Hendrik Taatgen | Henry is disillusioned with himself. Martha, his wife, feels lonely and unchallenged. When the two educators accept positions at an international school in Gaza, they hope for a change. But it is 2005, and the political situation becomes more volatile. Tensions rise, the strain on their marriage deepens. Then Henry is kidnapped -------- A serious thriller, based on the author's own abduction in Gaza. | $19,99 — Get it for just $17,99 today! |
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| | TEN TO EIGHT | By: paul suino | TEN TO EIGHT is a literary mystery about a family bound together by a story that was never quite true—and a secret that has remained submerged for decades. When Carroll returns to his Wisconsin hometown, the tale of how his parents met begins to unravel, revealing a daring 1971 airplane hijacking, vanished cash, and a circle of accomplices whose loyalties conceal more than their silences. Blending dark humor, unexpected revelations, and the poignant complexities of love and belonging, Ten to Eight asks how well we can ever know the people closest to us—and what happens when the truth finally comes due. | See it on Amazon → |
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| | | Downsizing to me: | | | On this day in 1872, Susan B. Anthony cast an illegal vote in the U.S. presidential election and was subsequently arrested and fined—over four decades before the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote. This event was historic in the fight for women's suffrage and remains a powerful symbol of determination and change. |
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| Mystery Series with Older Protagonists: Why They Captivate | If you love a good mystery but feel like the heroes are always too young, it’s time to discover stories where wisdom, experience—and sometimes retirement—are the secret weapons. These series place protagonists in their 60s, 70s or even older, who bring life experience, sharp instincts, and a fearless curiosity to each case. They don’t just stumble into crime scenes—they methodically unravel them, often because they can. | What makes these series so compelling for mature readers? First, the protagonists feel relatable. Mature sleuths show us that getting older often means getting better, as years of observation and reflection become powerful assets. Rather than hyper-fitness or wild coincidences, these characters rely on their networks, persistence, and intuition—qualities that many readers recognize in themselves. | Second, the tone often blends comfort with intrigue. In a world that sometimes sidelines older characters, these mysteries place them at the center, giving agency, humor, and depth to people who’ve lived rich, full lives. The stories highlight not only the puzzles, but the warmth and realism that come from protagonists who have decades behind them. | Third, the settings and stakes often align with your interests. Think small-town charm, active retiree communities, or second-act careers—plots rooted in places and situations older readers might recognize or appreciate. These aren’t high-tech thrillers with constant chases; they’re intelligent, character-driven stories where the hero might pause for tea, chat with neighbors, or reflect on what matters. | So if you’re looking for your next read, consider extending the genre to include detectives who are older than their sidekick or their car. Whether it’s a retired spy, a widow turned amateur sleuth, or a fixer-of-problems in a retirement village, these protagonists prove that curiosity doesn’t fade—and age sure doesn’t mean reading less. | What draws you most to mysteries with older protagonists? | |
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| From the RetireHub Archives: What would you be most interest in learning online? |
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| | Technology takes the top spot in our online learning poll, with 22% of readers eager to brush up on basics like smartphones, computers, and internet safety. Creative pursuits like photography, gardening, and cooking were also popular at 20%, tied with those currently not interested in online learning. Health and wellness topics earned 17%, followed by artistic endeavors like music and writing (9%) and personal finance (4%). It’s clear there’s a strong appetite for practical and enjoyable learning at any age—with many of you wanting to grow both skills and hobbies from the comfort of home. | OUR FAVORITE COMMENTS | “Learning Italian” “Spanish” “All of them have some appeal. Learning more about computers is probably top on my list.” “I love learning new languages and local cultures. Before we travel to a country, I try to learn some basic phrases and read about the history and culture. For languages with which I am familiar, I brush up so I can converse (sometimes simply). I am conversant in French and Italian. Now I am learning Spanish.” “Hobby classes (such as art, gardening, cooking) are all fun and I am interested in those, but I am also interested in learning topics that I didn't have time to explore in college - such as math, science, history, etc.” “I’m interested in in-person learning.” “Would like to learn sign language.” “The good news on health and wellness changes so regularly that I think it would be beneficial to pay attention to it online.” “Textile arts (crochet, needlepoint, macrame).” “I would love to learn another language. So that I could communicate with more people.” “History and philosophy lectures would be great.”
| | Anticipation Isn’t Just for Big Events — It’s a Quiet Joy Waiting to Be Embraced | As we age, the kind of future we look forward to often changes. Once, major milestones like birthdays or promotions kept us excited. Today, looking ahead might mean applying to a craft fair, planning a leisurely morning walk, or simply imagining a meaningful chat with a friend. | True anticipation isn’t about perfection or grand plans—it’s about having even the slightest belief that something good lies ahead. Focusing on the small joys—sunrise, a favorite cup of tea, or a friendly phone call—plants seeds of hope and opens us to a richer sense of life. | When we expect the best (not the flawless), we give ourselves permission to feel joy now, not just later. And even if the outcome isn’t exactly what we hoped for, we build resilience, stay connected to possibility, and keep our hearts tuned in to the promise of what’s next. | READ MORE | |
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| Follow us on Social Media! | Join an online community thriving in retirement! Find us on: | | Every day we post retirement tips, highlights from our newsletter so you can comment and discuss in the community, and some fun retirement-themed motivation! | |
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| Slang Phrase of the Day | Phrase: Thirst | Meaning: In slang, “thirst” refers to someone showing obvious desperation or strong desire—often for attention, affection, or validation. It originally described romantic or sexual longing, but it’s now used more broadly (e.g., “thirsty for compliments” or “thirsty for likes”). | In a sentence: "When Harold posted three shirtless photos after his pickleball win, Mabel said, ‘Look at you, Harold! That’s some serious thirst for attention.’” | |
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| Good News of the Day | The Grandfather Puzzle Pieces Together a Family History One Man Wouldn’t Talk About | JoyDrops champions awards-eligible documentary shorts about joy, a counterweight to a category often dominated by tragedy. Good News Network has partnered with JoyDrops to spotlight these films and talk with the filmmakers behind them. “When he turned 99, I was like, okay, it’s really now or never,” Ora DeKornfeld told GNN. For years, her grandfather […] | READ MORE | |
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| | A library card for your Kindle | Kindle Unlimited works like a library: borrow from a huge catalog of ebooks and magazines, read on any Kindle or the free app, and return them when you're done. There's a free trial, and you can cancel anytime. | | |
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| | Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like: | |
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| Which crooner was nicknamed “The Velvet Fog”? | | Which city hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics? | |
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| The Okavango Delta—one of the world’s great inland deltas—is in which country? | | | **RetireHub may receive affiliate compensation for links clicked within this newsletter. | ***RetireHub may share poll results with advertisers. |
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| 🏆 Best Poll Reply of the Week | After you vote in today’s poll, tell us why in the comment box. Every week our editors pick the best written reply, and the winner gets a $25 Amazon gift card. We’ll email the winner directly and may share the winning reply (first name and last initial only) in a future issue. | No purchase necessary. US residents 18+. Official rules. | |
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