Today’s post is from regular contributor, Tyler Philbrook. Enjoy!
Every day people search for ways to make money, yet they are unaware, or unsure how to make money with the hobbies they already do.
Here are a list of 10 hobbies that won’t cost you much to start, but could make a nice amount of side income.
1. Sewing
There was a time when sewing was common knowledge. Growing up,anytime anything broke, if Mom couldn’t sew it back together than Nana could – and with a large family of all boys there were lots of clothes that needed repair.
Those skills are rare today, and people will pay for them. This article shows how to grow this hobby into income.
2. Crochet and Knitting
Along with sewing, we grew up with someone who was always knitting, whether that be a scarf, a blanket, or anything else. It seemed that someone was always hard at work. This hobby costs very little, just the cost of the knitting needles and yarn. You can make money using this process here.
3. Baking
Who doesn’t love freshly baked cookies? I know that I have at times bribed my coworkers by simply agreeing to make a batch of delicious cookies. For those of you who love to bake like me, this article will get you started.
4. Drawing or Painting
This is something that I have never been good at but so many of my friends and family excel at. It’s also something that you can make some extra cash with. If you have artistic skills and would like to learn how to make some extra income check out this post / video about enjoying your art, and make some money with it at the same time.
5. Teaching or Playing Music
I wanted to learn how to play the piano and found that the lessons would cost $50 for only 30 minutes. Just for fun I asked how much a lesson for a saxophone (an instrument I play well) would be and was quoted the same price.
It was then that I got the idea of tutoring on the saxophone. Even though I’ve never tried this, it’s still a great way to make some money and keep up with your own musical talents. See this teacher of 40 years give away how she got started and how you can too.
6. Be a Magician
Who isn’t intrigued by a magician when they see them? And some kids really do get to grow up to live their dream of becoming one. Some of us though will just learn a few tricks that may impress young kids at birthday parties and the like. If that’s you, then your hobby could make you some extra money, check out this post to find out more.
7. Metal Detecting
For a small start up fee, you could turn a hobby that helps you get into shape into something that feels more like a treasure hunt. If you’re interested in getting started check out this tutorial.
8. Photography
If you’re any good with a camera then the possibilities are truly endless. From stock photography to wedding photography, you could turn your hobby into cash. If you have ever thought about this then read how here.
9. Dog Walking or Sitting
My wife and I would love to have a dog, but aren’t allowed to where we live. So we borrow other people’s dogs so we can kind of get our fix (we do the same thing with kids too but that’s a whole other story).
If you like the idea of this, then you can actually turn your love of animals into something that can make you an income. Check out this Forbes article on how to cash in on people’s love for dogs.
10. Shopkicks
This is my wife’s hobby that makes her some money; she scans things at stores with this app and gets walk in “kicks” or points. She uses these “kicks” to get gift cards. For example she’s been able to buy tupperware and curtains with these, saving us nearly $200 hundred dollars. Go here for a step by step guide.
Conclusion
With so many possibilities out there, we can find a hobby that we enjoy… something we look forward to doing. At the same time, we can help our bank account get just a little bit larger. If none of these 10 ideas seem practical to you, then check out this article right here on the blog, with 101 ways to make money at home.
It is possible to make money with your frugal hobbies and it’s possible to enjoy yourself while making money. With these tips you can do it!
What hobbies do you enjoy that have the potential of earning money?
______________________________________________________________
Author Bio: Tyler Philbrook runs the blog I Am The Future Me. He talks about his journey from $29,000 in debt to becoming financially independent by cutting costs, making more money, and making good financial decisions.
By subscribing, you'll receive new blog updates by email and occasionally I might email you with any exciting news. I promise not to spam you and your details will never be passed on.
28 Comments
A few years ago, I crocheted gifts for my friends and some of them ended up asking me to make some for them for pay. You’re right, the cost isn’t too bad, it’s just finding the time to sit and crochet.
Lisa recently posted…Identify Your Obstacles
Lisa it’s true that time can be the big issue, I found it to be a task you do well relaxing. If you want to make more though it requires more work which means more time. It’s sometimes hard to balance the hobby with creating a side hustle.
Thanks for mentioning my Shopkick guide. Such a great app. Great list. Writing can also be a hobby that can create an income through either a blog or through writing eBooks and putting them up for sale through Kindle.
Writing is such a good hobby you’re right. It hasn’t changed my life wth the amount of income it has brought but it has really been nice to get paid doing something I like doing anyway.
Tyler @ I Am The Future Me recently posted…The 2016 Financial Olympics
I have just started sewing as a hobby, making clothes for my daughters and I has already saved us a ton of money. Thank you for linking to all of these wonderful articles to get people started making money, I never even thought about using my sewing as more than a hobby.
One thing I am thinking of next year is starting extra plants for gardening and selling them locally. I have a substantial garden each year and I gave away a few extra starts I had, to my surprise I had about 10 people contact me to ask if I had any more that I would sell them.
Thank you for the great ideas! I am looking forward to implementing them.
The hardest part of doing something new is simply starting it. I’m so happy you have airy started some hobbies and will continue to start new things.
Making frugality and passive income fun is a great way to keep yourself on track. If it doesn’t feel like work then you’re 10 times more likely to stick with it. I did ebay selling for a long time and although it made me good money, it got monotonous. If you can find a fun way to make passive income I’d say you’re pretty set
I was just speaking to my brother about my side hustle jobs and how I enjoy them unlike a 9 to 5 that you often don’t. He told me of course I do I was doing it all for free for a while before I ever made a dime doing it. It makes it easier to do something you get paid for you would do for free.
Great list. Nothing better than making a few extra bucks doing something you enjoy! I’m a bit of a history buff and I’ve thought about tutoring, but haven’t made the leap into doing it yet.
Gary @ Super Saving Tips recently posted…The Middle Ages Part 3: Money Tips for Your 50’s
Do it Gary, I have taught people the Pharmacy Technician exam on several occasions and enjoy it very much. I usually don’t get money from it but get free dinners and other things which is always nice.
Tyler @ I Am The Future Me recently posted…The 2016 Financial Olympics
I like to knit but haven’t monetized it, except for charity. My knitting group does create things that are sold to raise money for food-insecure folks, and is a way to give back to the community while doing something I enjoy. A lot of good causes have fundraisers that can use good handmade items.
Emily @ JohnJaneDoe recently posted…Why I’m Letting Free Money Slip Away
Something doesn’t have to make you money for it to be of benefit. My personal goals is to build enough passive income that I’m able to give of my own time and talents for free much more often. I think that’s more important than any monetary benefit.
Tyler @ I Am The Future Me recently posted…The 2016 Financial Olympics
For crochet, I find that I really have to use the entire skein of yarn to recoup my costs. I’m not good enough at any of these to make money at them, but writing was the hobby that turned into income for me!
Femme Frugality recently posted…Financially Savvy Saturdays Week 147
I though about including writing but it seemed so typical of a post. It has been something good for me too. I love to write (though I still don’t think I’m very good at it), but I also have other talents that could make money. The one on this list that hits me the most is music. I used to play all the time just for fun, now I pull the sax out just for special occasions and even than it’s never fun. I want to do it more and if I could make money at the same time that would be awesome.
Tyler @ I Am The Future Me recently posted…The 2016 Financial Olympics
Great ideas! I like the tips on photography and I can see a potential of earning some money out of this hobby of mine. I’d probably a stock photographer.
Jayson @ Monster Piggy Bank recently posted…Home Improvements That Keep Costing Money
Jayson, I tried stock photography but I don’t really have any decent camera. I decided to put that aside for the time being and work on other things that are higher on my to do list. For instance, my writing for a hobby has become a income stream so that has to be my focus over photography simply because I can’t afford the cost to get the camera I really want to use.
Tyler @ I Am The Future Me recently posted…The 2016 Financial Olympics
I’ve noticed several friends who were really into photography have started their own side hustles with it. As a matter of fact, a friend of mine from high school does it now, I realized I needed to get headshots for work, and actually wound up contacting her to do them.
Mel @ brokeGIRLrich recently posted…Financially Savvy Saturdays #147
I’m pretty fortunate to have a professional photographer in family that can take care of most of my needs. I wish I had her talent but love doing the little things I do with pictures. It’s a hobby for me that isn’t currently making me any money.
Tyler @ I Am The Future Me recently posted…The 2016 Financial Olympics
My wife was really good with graphics design, in that she would always create invitations and announcements and such for our kids. One day she came up with the idea of opening an Etsy shop to create designs for others. Now she makes a few thousand dollars per year doing it, and it all stemmed from a hobby!
Money Beagle recently posted…What Generation Took The Worst Of The Great Recession?
That’s perfect, so many things start the same way. My brother started doing graphic designs for a game he played and when people noticed how well he was doing they started paying him for it. Made only a few hundred dollars but still it was pretty nice
Tyler @ I Am The Future Me recently posted…Have You Done Your Time?
While I like the sentiment, I have to disagree on the a number of these. Sewing and crochet are not lucrative. The cost of good quality yarn is so high. Just in supplies alone, a sweater for my wife cost me $65. And I already had all the required needles. And magician? Really? No offense but that’s just silly. As I said, the idea is great, the execution thereof is lacking.
Hi Devon, thanks for bringing out the sewing and crochet. It’s true it can be difficult to make money but it is possible as many articles bring out. This article isn’t really a “how to guide” on each thing just to put the ideas in peoples head. Also these things are hobbies that people enjoy doing, probably will do for free and making any money from something you enjoy doing is exciting, at least I think so. And, some are able to make significant money with these if they put more effort in.Thanks for commenting
Tyler @ I Am The Future Me recently posted…Have You Done Your Time?
I love baking, and I haven’t made this a side hustle. I think it’s time for me to use this skill to earn some money as based on my friends, I am really good at baking.
Kelly recently posted…Sickness Strikes AGAIN!
I too am good at baking and have had people tell me many times they would pay me to make some of my treats. I never take any money but maybe I should? This was one that really intrigued me that I may look into in the near future.
Tyler @ I Am The Future Me recently posted…Have You Done Your Time?
Just a word of caution regarding teaching piano (or any other instrument). Being able to play adequately, or even well, doesn’t make you a GOOD teacher. Professional musicians go to school for a long time to learn how to become skilled at teaching. So many bad habits can be engrained by a piano hobbyist that will take years of correction (if even possible) to undo. In that way, it’s so different than knitting or photography which provide a tangible product for consumption — you’re not trying to teach someone how to knit or take photographs.
Good music is such a wonderful thing, I haven’t heard a live orchestra in years and would love to. But you’re right you have to be careful when teaching people anything and make sure you do the proper research and have enough understanding to be able to teach people.
Tyler @ I Am The Future Me recently posted…Have You Done Your Time?
Hey! I really like your social sharing plugin. I’m just curious what one do you use? More specifically, I want to make my pinterest image smaller on my webpage, but when I do that, and people pin from it, it’s smaller on Pinterest and not the actual full size. I noticed you don’t have this problem when I pinned your image.
How do you do that!!
Hi Jason, I’m using SumoMe for social sharing, although I have a specific Pinterest plugin for my images. My Pinterest images on the website are all pretty big to start with so I think that eliminates any issues when pinning! I compress the image size at the back end. Hope that helps somewhat!