24 Hobbies Which Can Actually Make You Money
Remember that childhood hobby you loved? Explore how your passions can turn into profitable side hustles and discover the untapped potential in your favorite pastimes.
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Written By:
Jeff Rose, Finance456® is a Certified Financial Planner™, founder of Finance456, and author of the personal finance book Soldier of Finance. He was a financial planner for 16+ years having founded, Alliance Wealth Management, a SEC Registered Investment Advisory firm, before selling it to focus on his passion - educating the masses on the importance of financial freedom through this blog, his podcast, and YouTube channel.
Jeff holds a Bachelors in Science in Finance and minor in Accounting from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale. In addition to his CFP® designation, he also earned the marks of AAMS® - Accredited Asset Management Specialist - and CRPC® - Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor.
While a practicing financial advisor, Jeff was named to Investopedia's distinguished list of Top 100 advisors (as high as #6) multiple times and CNBC's Digital Advisory Council.
Jeff is an Iraqi combat veteran and served 9 years in the Army National Guard. His work is regularly featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Inc.com and Entrepreneur.
I love many
Making money through social media is my favorite, it actually comes natural and particularly funny, it would really be my pleasure to get paid for it.
How do I earn money from public speaking. Please give me list of websites or applications like you tell us for other jobs.
Hi Roshan – I don’t know about that field specifically. But you can google “public speaking” and see what comes up. You might look for public speaking forums or groups and get advice there. You may also need to get a mentor if you’ve never done it before. And of course, you can always volunteer to speak at local events to help build references and a resume.
Hi Team,
I would like to pursue with Fitness Programme, Since I’m a fitness enthusiast.
Ranging from Daily Yoga Practices to keep your Energy Balance, to Maintaining a healthy Life style despite of working 9-5 regular job ,I could provide fitness training on varying programme.
Can I request for your advice to get started please.
Hi Amanullah – I don’t know much about that business, but I’d recommend first checking any licensing requirements in your state or city. Then I’d check with fitness clubs to see if you can start out working there. You might also try soliciting local businesses to see if their employees are interested. It’s a strategy of building it up gradually. From there, see where it takes you.
I engrave all kinds ds of wooden signs for any occasion using mosaics, art effects…. anything u want!
I’m sorry. I would like to ask. What about art . I mean drawing . How will I earn money?. Please help me. I’ll be very happy. And your app is very helpfull.
Hi Abubakar – You can try art as a graphic artist. You might be able to take some courses at a local community college, or even buy a graphic arts program and learn for yourself. If you have talent for it, and master the technical side, it may be a way to turn art into in income.
Coaching, buying and selling, social media, comedy, blogging.
I am skilled in all things horses! I can break, train, leg up, warm up, ride-in, groom, etc. I would love to come help people work with their horse.
Hi Ashley – Maybe you can offer your services to horse stables in your area on a contract basis. Eventually, you may get referrals to work directly with individual horse owners.
I would like the pets and driving and graphics.
My comment to a concept of this site is that it is hard to say bcs I’m not freelancer, youtuber, viner or amaterish writer, but you have to endure personal sacrifice to keep up with deadlines. What are your goals? What are you trying to accomplish by publishing so many materials in void
Good advice/questions Antonia.
I am very interested in making crafts to sell, and hopefully your suggestions will help.
Good article, but most of these are NOT hobbies.
I respectfully disagree. I looked at the list and for the most part I could easily connect some type of hobby that would correlate with each of these income sources.
The definition of a hobby: an activity done regularly in one’s leisure time for pleasure.
The art of turning a hobby into a business is about being creative in how they turn what they love to do into an income source.
Not knowing which specific item you are referencing, if someone enjoys doing something for fun (i.e. hobby), this list of income sources are viable.
So many good thoughts! Thanks a lot!
I went to school for art so I can make and sell the pieces. I like animals and kids. I can watch pets and babysit but I don’t drive so they would have to come to me. I’m a great speller and proof reader
Hi Marie – Try both on the web – art and proof reading. You can advertise your services in different places, including Craigslist, and even set up a simple website for each venture. That will help you generate business since you don’t drive.
Love this
How about growing marijuana? Now days with the legalization of “pot” in states such as OR., WA., and CA., opportunities are all around. If you have a green thumb and or enjoy consuming this sticky green, it can make you lots of money! Money can be made growing it, selling it in the dispensaries in a job called a “budtender”, marketing the product from home over the phone, making edables, lotions and a whole gammet of other products. You can make money doing all of the same with cbd products ( marijuana w/o thc). Ive even known someone that made $20 hr. just rolling joints all day long for the dispensaries. I know someone else who is a lobbyist for the industry, and helps set up and produce hemp festivals. Of course to grow pot youd need to be properly registered with the state. There is even a pot growing college in OR. Then of course for the creative artist in you, that opens up the area of smoking devices to be made and sold6 at street festivals and or farmers markets. I know someone who got boxes and boxes of bong stems off Craigslist for free and turned around and sold them wholesale for $3 each, making over $10k! Pot is not just for couch potatoes anymore! Check the law in your area first!
Hi Kelly – Thanks for the input, but I’ll leave that one alone. It’s legal in some places, but not in others. And to my knowledge, the federal government is still not on board with it, so there is the risk of a reversal.
I started cleaning houses while going back to school. It started out as a PT way of earning extra income. Advertising on Craigslist was free to low cost, so essentually zero to little money to get started. Several years later , Ive been booked weeks in advance and still have some of the same original customers! I do cleaning, organizing, gardening, yardwork, decorating, shopping, pet care etc.
My children have also turned their passion into a money maker! They are avid cyclists and while going to college, they commuted by bicycle to help keep the carbon footprint on the environment low. They also had done some studying abroad and cycled too. They even sold th e ir cars and travelled by mostly bicycle alone. Now they have turned their passion into their job. They have jobs as bicycle tour guides! They get to travel to some great places in the US and other countries all expenses paid (nightly hotel and all food) and ride their bikes while earning good money! They’ve been to some beautiful places and ridden their bikes across the United States touring many of our National Parks and scenic areas, up and down the West coast, throughout Europe, from Washington state all the way to the tip of South America (including all the countries in between), and parts of Africa. They are living their dream and making money! Way to go!
Hi Kelly – You and your kids are excellent examples of an unexpected benefit of using hobbies to make money – that you can turn those ventures into full time occupations. It’s an example of following your passion to your occupation. Good on you and your kids! It’s an inspiring story that I hope others will read and consider.
Section 21 paragraph 3 word 4 his – is
Corrected, thanks Dessi.
I have a question,I make herbal medicine cough and cold allergy and I would like to selll it, I am not certified but have been doing this for 10 years now do I start?
Hi Ladonna – I can’t give you advice as far as a medical product. I’m sure there’s some sort of licensing requirement, as well as agency approval required. I’d investigate that side of it first, then look at the business potential.
I have a hobby and talent of public speaking. Where do i get paid for doing this. Send me best genuine sites and requires
Hi Roshan – You might try looking up some professional speaker websites and see what they have to offer. I don’t think there’s a site you can go to that will land you speaking engagements, but you might begin networking with other speakers and groups that can point you in the right direction.
I enjoy helping people on a daily basis…….
Hi Autumn – If you can find ways to earn some money while you’re helping people, that can turn it into a hobby that also brings in some extra income.
This is too good app but some more things like motivational man job.
Sir iam hamza These were all fantastic suggestions! As for making money with social media, it is pretty difficult to sell on social media, but is a great way to generate leads and then sell to those leads. For that reason, running an email list about any topic is a great hobby to make money with.
Awesome!
How can get the editing of writings especially desertations up to PhD and other publishings.
Hi Sams – You’ll have to do some digging. Craigslist may be a place to start, but try other sites like Indeed.com. Local free newspapers sometimes also advertise those gigs.
In my skill of consultancy I’ll like 2 see where it gets me…
Where would be a good place to look, specifically (website names), for people needing a public speaker? Also what would the positions be called?
Hi Nicole – Try Googling public speaking opportunities and see what comes up. Also, check out Craigslist. People and businesses frequently advertise unusual gigs on that site.
I want to know more about the whole baking one for the side jobs on here I’m a really awesome cook and I’ve been cooking since I was about 5years old til now and I’ll be in my mid 30’s so what’s that say about it all.
Hi Desiree – Try googling it and see what comes up. It’s usually best to get specific business ideas from multiple sources. Then you’ll be able to notice patterns, and choose the strategies you want to use in your own business.
Hey check out upwork.com too. Teacherspayteachers.com smith.ai
Some good ones I’ve seen.
Also would be interested in a section about not being taken advantage of as a freelancer.
Thanks for the awesome suggestion
Thanks for the suggestions!
I want to make and sell my dj mixes to share with friends and family on their email from Gmail, yahoo, Hotmail, icloud and aol account including on pinterest too that I usually do every once of week on my days off from my workshop program every 4 days of week Wednesdays through Saturdays at 5pm til 8pm my name is dj davey dave.
Enjoyed much…id love to be a funny guy i am but im not like stand on stage and remember jokes ive written. Im more pants on the fli fly n past me…
Since 1968 ( 50 years ) I have made a fabulous income from teaching music ( guitar ) at home. In fact it has paid for my home, children, local and overseas holidays. Granted it is not as busy as it used to be, but there is always someone wanting to learn a musical instrument. And at a current rate of $70 per hour (Australian ) without leaving home, buying a new instrument every few years, licencing, is better than all trades and many professions. And best of all, teaching music is PAID PRACTICE for the teacher.
Wow Bill, thanks for sharing that story. It shows what can be done using the talents you have. I’ve heard similar stories over the years. Not just music either – repair work, computer skills, writing, tutoring, you name it.
I am looking to start making money from my own passionate hobby. I used to play piano well …but due to life I cannot sit for a long period of time. However I love music I can read music and sing as well. I really am Interested in being a tutor or music interpreter. ….can anyone help me figure it out!
Hi LaRue – Check with the schools in your area and see if you can offer your services to students. You should make up a flyer that advertises your business. Also see if you can advertise in apartments, churches and stores. Once you get a few students, you’ll start getting referrals, and the business will come in more easily.
Playind Taps at Military funerals pays very well. Most will pay 100. Plus tips for the one song.
Thanks for the information Andy!
How can I start with “proof reading and editing” ??
Please let me know.
Thank you9
Hi Arbina – There are different ways you can do that. One is to look for online sites, like ProBlogger that list editing gigs for websites and blogs. Another is to check on Craigslist. You don’t have to limit the search to your own area either. Since the work is done online you can apply for gigs anywhere they’re located. Also try contacting some blogs on the web and see if any have a need. If you keep digging you’ll find paid work.
Its very interesting that Carpenters, more precisely woodworkers, are in this list. I have been trying to start one such business. The problem is that I’m no salesman. We wood craftsmen are a dying breed. So few individuals take any pride in their work and learning how to restore, repair, or make items from wood can be an arduous task for anyone. I am a fourth generation woodworker and I have no time to think about how to sell myself. You either like the work I do, or you don’t. In this society its more about the bottom line (how many can we produce/sell before people notice the worthlessness of our product) than with; “was it done right and would I put this up in my own home”
You make an excellent point Micah, a lot of the crafts aren’t appreciated anymore. Have you tried selling your work at fairs and craft shows, or even selling them through local independent retailers?
Hi Micah,
I am ashamed to admit that you’re right. Carpenters are not as appreciated as they should be. It’s so hard to find meaningful and thoughtful woodwork these days. I hope i didn’t fine this post too late and I haven’t lost you because I may be able to help you with the selling part. Let know if you still need help.
Thanks,
Grace
Ive been thinking about woodworking as well. The problem for me is that a quality picnic table or pergola swing from me would cost $400-500. Home Depot sells dirt cheap tables for $100. I could never compete with that. Theyre junk, but people want it dirt cheap.
from when I was a little kid I make things I have made a car that moves on it own I have made different types of torch with wires and little accessories I also made a USB fan before it came to the market I made
a power bank out of a phone charger and many more,i don’t just have the resources to start making things I need a company or individual that will help me they won’t regret cus am very talented am a boy of twenty years
Hi Kenneth – I have no expertise in that area, so I can’t really provide any useful advice. But maybe you can go online and see if there are investors who will back someone like you who has talent but needs capital. I wish I could offer more advice.
Hi Kenneth ,
IF you need investors open a GoFundMe account and write about your story and you’ll sure to get help there.
Thanks,
Grace
I love to bake i can bake anything. I also make raw desserts, vegan raw and vegan baked goods are my specialty plus traditional. Are there any suggestions where i could sell my baked goods?
I am looking some wood working hobby/business. That shall be a finished product making machine, preferably single operatable like CNC.
Anybody can help me….
I’ve been making free money online for years and am always looking for ways to earn more. Thanks for your info I have picked up something new here
Local garage sale groups on FB is a great place to sell items to neighbors. I have found it much more responsive to post an item, look for an item or job etc than Craigslist about 10 to 1.
Wonder how to sell my unique hand made jewelry items?
@paula Have you considered Etsy? It’s a huge marketplace to sell crafts and other hand made items.
Then give your customers a discount for taking a picture and tagging your Instagram account that has a link in your profile back to your Etsy Store.
These were all fantastic suggestions! As for making money with social media, it is pretty difficult to sell on social media, but is a great way to generate leads and then sell to those leads. For that reason, running an email list about any topic is a great hobby to make money with.
Another way you can earn with social media is by using a social network that actually pays its users. Tsu does just that, it returns 90% of the revenue back to the users by using an algorithm of how much of an impact the user is making on the network.
This is significant because it includes things like inviting friends to the network and having really popular posts. Some people are earning a good part-time wage from tsu. Check it out, search for tsu social network on Google, and use ‘BrainofJT’ as your invite code. You need an invite code in order to join simply because they want to credit the person who invited you for making an impact on the network.
These are not hobbies, they are professions. We train for years to be able to do work well, only to have some boffin say that it is a fun hobby? This is how what WE do is de-valued. 99designs and the like, is great for people that want something without paying what it is worth. Let’s do that with all other industries shall we? We can all go bankrupt together.
Sounds like you should have saved you money and years of training. Do it as a hobby like we do.
I am constantly astounded that people have to post such negativity. Sure these are professions for some, hobbies for others.
I shouldn’t waste my time replying to this negativity, but, I think you did a great job listing these options & opportunities.
This comment gave me an idea to create Imabitch.com so the plethora of negative commenters have a place to go for their favorite pastime, complaining & finding negative in everything.
Great reply, too, Sue.
THANKS for your time & work. I appreciate this list & gained much insight. : – )
Indeed
Wow! I like the idea.. good thinking.. I’ve had a rough 3yrs as a mechanic, home repair and restore furniture plus I love antique things so the negative crap needs to take a seat on the get the hell outta here train.. lol.. thanks, kevinb
Writing has become one such hobby for me.
But for me, the way I have to look at it is that writing is a very inexpensive hobby. I might start to worry if I saw it as a job because it would be a very low-paying job :/
Thanks for the insight.