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If you are struggling to learn how to budget your money when you don’t seem to have enough income to pay all of your expenses, consider cashing in on your spare time with hobbies that make money.
When there is more month at the end of your money, it’s time to increase your income. But after a long day at work or dealing with the children, who wants to slave away at a second job just to pay off debt?
What if you could boost your income doing something you love? Is it possible to use your hobby to make money?
What’s your hobby?
What is it that you love to do in your spare time?
I heard that laugh… Who has spare time? Am I right?
But let’s get real.
Think about it… if you had a little extra time in your day, what would you do? What do you consider as fun? Relaxing? A way to take your mind off the stresses of life?
Now, is it possible that someone else might enjoy that hobby if they knew how to do it? Could you teach them?
Or, does your hobby create a product you could sell?
Don’t immediately discredit the ideas that pop into your head. Give yourself at least ten minutes to brainstorm a list and consider the possibilities.
Use your hobby to make money
God gifted you with passions and talents for a purpose. Use those gifts by creating a side hustle job.
Let’s get specific with some ideas to cash in on your hobby.
Photography
If you have a decent camera or a super smartphone like the iPhone 7 or higher, you could be exchanging your pictures for profits.
Several websites allow you to sell your stock photos online.
Not sure about your skills? Study with affordable online courses by CreativeLive and master any aspect of photography including using your smartphone for pictures, taking portraits, etc.
Already comfortable with your camera? Learn how to make a living by selling your photos with the Paid for Pictures course.
Currently, I sell photos of food to other bloggers and that pulls in an extra $1,400 a month. Not a bad hobby that makes money!
Writing
I knew I loved to write as early as 6th grade, but I had no idea how many possibilities were available for making money as a writer, especially as a freelance writer.
If you can write copy for sales pages or articles for magazines, take a look at all the possibilities on Fiverr. People are searching for skilled proofreaders, creative writers, and more.
Of course, now I make money blogging, which means I write almost every day. And I still love it!
Driving
Are you a people person? Could you drive all day and not grow tired?
Sign up with Lyft or Uber as a driver. I have friends who work for both services at the same time.
After work, they sign into the system and pick up a few calls before going home. This works especially well if you work in a larger city, live near an airport, or have hours available during holidays, conferences, and festivals.
AD: Start driving with Lyft and earn a $300 bonus after your first 100 rides. Terms apply.
“Excuse me?’ you ask. “Exactly how can a person make money with Pinterest?”
Welcome to the online world where it is possible to make money doing anything and everything. If you enjoy social media, those platforms can be turned into hobbies that make money.
Whether you love Facebook, Pinterest, or another social media service, online entrepreneurs and businesses are always looking for virtual assistants who understand the social platforms and how to grow an audience.
But social media isn’t the only need. People are looking for content creators, designers, photographers, and more. I have even paid someone to check my email on a daily basis just because I didn’t have the time.
Not sure you have the education needed? That’s okay! Take courses through an online platform like Skillshare. Then, start networking and grow your side hustle from the comfort of home.
Handyman (or woman)
Can you swing a hammer? Love helping people remodel? Are you able to lift heavy items and willing to help people move?
Sign up with TaskRabbit and be matched with potential clients who need your skills to create and maintain their homes.
Crafts
There are hundreds of things you can sell from home to boost your income.
If you need to master your craft or want to learn how to market your hobby, CreateLive is an excellent resource. You can watch live classes for free or buy the courses you need to watch any time.
Once you are ready to list your items, join Etsy. You can also sell your goods through Facebook Marketplace or groups but Etsy already has an established audience and reputation. That means more potential exposure while you are trying to build your brand.
Take the Turn Your Etsy® Shop into a Sales Machine Course at CreativeLive
Tutoring
Do you have a specialty playing an instrument or in language arts? Did you love algebra? Tutoring is a great way to make extra money.
If you have a passion for teaching, apply with VIPKid and earn between $14 and $22 working the hours you choose. You can teach children on the other side of the planet how to speak English without even needing to learn a foreign language.
Audio/Video Editing
This is where my husband excels.
With the rise of Facebook, YouTube, and podcasting, a pressing need has developed for people skilled at using video and audio editing software.
In cases like what my husband does, people who vlog on YouTube or create video courses hire him to cut and splice their raw footage into cinematic masterpieces. (<— Might be a slight exaggeration, but I’m proud of my hubby!)
Pallet Projects
Last summer, my dad was looking for a fun way to make money. He loves woodworking but wood can be expensive. That’s when he noticed a pile of pallets behind a local big box store.
An idea began to form and next thing you know, Dad is creating toys, tables, benches, and creative decorations using pallets!
Check out my Pallet Projects board on Pinterest.
He sold his projects through local stores, craft festivals, Facebook groups, and friends.
More Hobbies that Make Money
You can make money doing anything. So don’t think that you are limited in the possibilities. Just get creative and consider these other hobbies that make money:
DIY & Thrifting
If you like getting your hands dirty by refinishing furniture or creating amazing decor from discarded items, find the nearest dumpster or thrift shop and start sorting for buried treasure.
A local antiques mall rents out small spaces inside the shop to people who love the thrill of finding unique pieces and then reselling them.
Internet Surfing
If you spend a lot of time online researching for projects or papers, use Swagbucks as your search engine and earn points that can be exchanged for gift cards.
I have personally earned hundreds of dollars just searching the internet because Swagbucks is real.
Landscaping
Every summer, there is a young guy who walks our neighborhood pushing his lawn mower and asking for work. Mowing and raking would be easier with professional equipment, but you don’t need anything fancy to get started.
Kids Birthday parties
Parents tend to have great intentions but then struggle to plan great birthday parties for their children. If you have a penchant for Pinterest and love to plan, consider renting yourself out as a kid party planner.
Another option, dress up and be the entertainment. A young lady in our church invested in a Disney princess costume and makes appearances at birthday parties and special events to the delight of young girls.
Pets
Are you an animal lover? Our neighbor actually pays someone to stay in her home and watch her pets when they travel. But pet sitting isn’t the only possibility if you adore fuzzy creatures.
A lady up the street has a visit once a month from a groomer who comes to her house with a little truck and tends to her dogs. (Think “food truck” but for pet care.) Or, make money by baking and selling dog treats.
Ebay
When it comes to hobbies that make money, you might not think of Ebay. But if you love to shop, Ebay might be a great way to make money off the deals you find.
I worked the resale business for many years. Through Ebay, I have sold children’s clothing, collectibles, small appliances, and more.
If you are looking to make money in the spring or fall, yard sales are very popular ways to get cash quickly. In my area, people even shop yard sales and then mark up their findings at their own yard sale.
More ways to make money
- 25 Things to Sell from Home (and boost your income)
- 10 Ways to Get Cash Before Christmas (or any time of year)
- The BEST Garage Sale Tips Ever
- 5 Unique Ways To Pay Off Debt You Haven’t Thought Of Before
- How to Make Money Blogging
- Make Some Cash the eBay Way
Way I have made money with my hobbies
I mentioned earlier that I make about $1,400 each month by selling food photos to other bloggers.
On average, I also make about $3,000 a month through blogging.
Add those together and it’s a significant income.
But I have worked tons of businesses, selling everything from kitchen gadgets to chocolate. Here is a quick list of things I have done/sold to increase our income making money with hobbies:
- Hosting yard sales and charging friends a small commission to sell their stuff
- Selling printable worksheets on Teachers Pay Teachers
- Selling baked goods (Cinnamon Rolls) to friends during the holidays
- Working as a Pampered Chef consultant
- Creating printable packs to sell to other bloggers
- Reviewing products in exchange for the product and additional compensation
- Using rebate apps for groceries
- Couponing and teaching others to do the same at coupon workshops
- Designing t-shirts and selling them on social media
- Taking outdoor senior portraits
- Working as a Dove Chocolate (not really because I ate my kit)
- Making designer gourmet apples for friends
- Writing ebooks to sell on Amazon
- Making custom wreaths to sell at craft fairs
- Creating personalized, handmade jewelry
How have you used your hobby to make money?
I would love to know what you have tried to make money with your hobbies. What worked? What didn’t? Leave a comment below!
Great artical Penny! Thanks a lot
There are numerous activities you enjoy doing in your free time that can be made into money.
I know people that sell the quilts and embroidery they create. One of the guys I know enjoys carving and detailing wood, and he also makes his own cabinets and furniture. Custom cabinets, furnishings, panelling, and ceilings all have a market.
I constructed a few model railway models that I have sold. They are at the master craftsman level and have amazing levels of detail. I enjoyed using architectural concepts to construct them, but since I lacked a layout to put them in, I had to sell them.