Make money doing something you love with one of these money making hobbies!
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According to Bankrate.com, almost 37% of Americans are currently working a side job. It makes sense too – a side job can be a great way to make extra cash to pay down debt, cover unexpected bills, or pay for your next vacation. The downside of course, is you are working more and have less time to do the things you enjoy. Fortunately, there is a solution to that problem. Learn to turn your hobbies into money making opportunities!
Related Post: 14 Creative Ways to Make $100 a Day!
Fun Money Making Hobbies
In this post, we are going to look at some common hobbies and learn different ways to transform those hobbies into side jobs that are fun AND make money. We call that a total Win-Win in my book!
Let’s get started:
Photography
Love photography? There are a couple money making options to consider with this hobby.
Stock photography site like, Alamy.com, will pay you for your photos. While they do have strict quality requirements, they will accept photos of almost anything. When your photos sell, you receive 50% plus Alamy is non-exclusive so you can sell your photos to other sites as well. Sign up to sell photos on Alamy.
Another option is to start your own photography business. If you are able to take professional level photos, you can make good money with your own business. Do a few individual sessions and events for free to build up a nice portfolio so potential clients can view your work. You can then advertise locally and online with a simple website with your portfolio and services. A blog is an easy way to create a professional looking website even if you have no web design experience. Check out this free e-course if you need help setting up a website.
Making Music
Are you a musician? There are lots of options to make money with this hobby. As a cellist, this is one of my favorite ways to make some extra cash. Two of the most common ways to earn money are through teaching lessons and playing for events.
Teaching lessons is a great choice for people who need a flexible schedule because you can teach lessons when it’s convenient for you!
Here are a few different ways to find students:
- Sign up with a service like Musica.com to teach lessons in students’ homes.
- Start a studio in your own home.
- Be hired as an independent contractor through a music store and teach lessons at the store.
Another option is to play music for events. After I graduated from college, I joined a string quartet and we played for weddings and other events. It was super fun and we made good money too! Playing music for events is a great way to make money with this hobby.
Cooking
Are you an amazing cook? Teach cooking classes! You can offer both individual lessons and group classes locally or you could record yourself teaching cooking classes and put them online through a platform like Teachable.com.
Another idea to make money cooking is to sell baked or canned goods at local fairs or events. You could even have flyers offering cooking classes and pass them out to potential clients at the fair!
Blogging
Blogging is how I make money from home. It took me awhile to actually start making money with my blog, but I want to include it in this list because it has been such a blessing in my life.
If you like enjoy writing and enjoy helping people, then blogging may just be the perfect side job for you. And don’t worry if you aren’t super tech-savvy, creating a blog isn’t as hard as it seems. I didn’t know anything about creating websites or writing for profit when I started almost 8 years ago. Blogging is hard work, but if you are dedicated and willing to learn, it’s something almost anyone can do well.
Right now, you can get stated for FREE! Sign up for the Jump Into Blogging e-course and learn how to make money with this fun hobby.
Social Media
Did you know that you can make money by pinning to Pinterest or posting on Instagram or Facebook? You definitely can! Bloggers and business pay virtual assistants to help them implement their social media strategies all the time.
You can find virtual assistant jobs on sites like Fiverr.com. If you feel like you need more help getting started, sign up for a Pinterest Virtual Assistant course like the one offered at PinterestVa.com
Crafting
Crafting is another super popular hobby. If enjoy making crafts, why not sell your creations? With Christmas coming soon, now is the perfect time to start selling. You can choose to sell your items online through a platform like, Etsy.com or locally at crafts fairs. It’s up to you – both options are great ways to make money with this fun hobby.
Digital Design
If you enjoy creating digital designs, there is a thriving market out there waiting for you! This past year, I dove into the world of printables – everything from budget worksheets, to calendars to meal planning guides. People are loving printables right now. You can easily advertise your digital products on Pinterest or your own Etsy store.
Another option is to offer digital design services for bloggers or business owners on Fiverr.com. You can offer to create Pinterest Pin designs, logos, create printables for bloggers, and the list goes on. There is definitely a need for experienced digital designers in the online world which means plenty of opportunities for you to make money with a hobby you enjoy!
Writing
For all you writers out there, here are some money making ideas for you!
Consider becoming a freelance writer and creating content for online businesses. This option does take some work upfront – you will need to set up a website for your business, create a portfolio, and then learn to attract the right clients, but the results can be totally worth the extra work. This post from Elna Cain, The Complete Guide to Getting Started With Freelance Writing, is a good place to begin your freelance writing journey. Elna is an experienced freelance writer and shares many great tips to get you started in the right direction.
If you are simply looking to make some quick cash on the side, I would hop on Fiverr.com, and set up a profile that showcases your expertise. You can proofread papers, transcribe audio, create resumes, etc. There really are a ton of in-demand services you could choose to offer as a writer.
Animals
Love animals? You can make money walking dogs or even become a pet sitter and board dogs while their owners are away.
To get started, join Rover.com, spend some time setting up a detailed profile (people want to know and trust the person they choose to watch their dogs), and start booking clients. Side note – I use Rover.com all the time to find pet sitters for my dog, Eddie, when we head out of town. It’s a wonderful site, and it makes finding and paying a pet sitter super easy.
Gardening
If you enjoy gardening, you could offer gardening services locally. There are plenty of people like me, who either don’t have the time or skill for gardening and would love to hire a professional to tend their backyard garden.
Another idea is to sell your produce or flowers at a local farmers market.
Shopping
For those that LOVE to bargain shop, flipping on eBay, Amazon, or Craigslist is a fun way to earn money online. Head to your local thrift store (visit on Monday and Tuesday for the best finds!) or hit up the clearance section at your favorite retailer. Before you buy anything, look it up online and see what it is selling for. If you can make a profit, snatch it up and list it online.
If you prefer to sell your stuff in person, check out local consignment shops or flea markets as well.
Another way to earn money shopping is with cash-back apps. My personal favorites (I use them ALL the time) are Ibotta and EBATES.
Ibotta: Ibotta is the #1 way I earn cash-back on groceries and other purchases. To start making money, all you have to do is tap open the Ibotta app, click on your favorite grocery store, and load up cash-back offers. After you buy your groceries, you simple take a picture of your receipt and send it in. Within 48 hours, your will receive cash in your Ibotta account which you can then withdraw. It’s actual cash too, not gift cards or points.
Everybody loves free cash, sign up with Ibotta here!
EBATES: EBATES is another awesome cash-back tool I love to use. This browser extension is a popular way to earn money when you shop online. When you visit a website that offers cash-back, just click the button to activate the offer and then go ahead and make your purchase. Afterward, you will receive an alert with your cashback total!
Whether you need to earn extra money or not, if you shop online, signing up EBATES is a smart move. You get cashback for purchasing something you were going to get anyway. It’s super sweet!
Playing with Kids
If you like kids, why not do a little babysitting on the side? Sign up with Care.com and take the time to craft a stellar profile including top-notch references. Creating the best profile you can will help parents feel more comfortable with you and help you land jobs quicker and easier.
I hope this list of money making hobbies helps you find a side job that you love. If you have another idea for a money making hobby, share with us in the comments below!
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