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75+ Hobbies That Actually Make Money (100% Legit)

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When you think of the word “hobby,” what do you think?

To me, I think of something that’s fun and something that I am passionate about, always wanting to do it in my free time.

Now, what if there were a way to turn your love into some side cash or maybe even a full-time living?

Well, you may be in luck because, in today’s post, I wanted to talk about 75+ hobbies you could potentially turn into a lucrative side hustle, designed for everyone, ranging from the stay at home mom to those entering retirement.

As most of us have different interests, I tried to research as many hobbies as possible and listed them in alphabetical order below, and if you feel I am missing any, do let me know because I will continue to update this list frequently.

Remember, some of these hobbies may sound like work to you, and that’s fine, but to some, it’s actually enjoyable!

75+ Fun (and Interesting) Hobbies That Make You Money

Art/Drawing

Let’s start off the hobby list with artwork, a great hobby you can do at home.

If you’re a fan of painting or drawing in general, then there could be a buyer who wants your work for their wall.

From what I did read, a lot of artists tend to sell on Etsy, but there are other selling platforms as well.

As I’m not a master at selling art, I do recommend you check out these best sellers on Amazon.com.



Auto Mechanic

Car repairs are expensive, there’s no doubt about that, but if you have the mechanical skills to help people on the side, it could be a win-win on both sides as you can make some cash and the customer can save some money.

Now, I’m not talking about replacing engines or taking out a transmission.  That may be a bit much, I understand.

Instead, consider changing oil, replacing brakes, fixing electrical components or other common repairs that can easily be done inside a garage.

If you like to get your hands dirty, who knows?

Word could spread and you could be busier than ever.

Babysitting

This one is obvious to a lot of us, but it’s really a good option if you don’t mind watching kids full time or even for an evening and doesn’t require much commitment.

And EVEN if you don’t know of anyone who has kids, it’s not a problem as you can find a ton of legitimate jobs on very reputable websites such as Care.com or SitterCity.com.

Create an account, apply to some jobs and see if you can get hired on board.  Once you prove yourself, watch the referrals spread and keep you busy all week!

To help you along with the process and get started with your first job, here are a few highly rated books on Amazon that could do a much better job explaining than I could do.

Baking Goods

In the world of baking, you can actually make some decent side cash in a variety of ways, from making your unique chocolate chip cookies to baking bread.

From local farmers markets working on your own to potentially partnering with a local specialty retail shop, if you have a passion for baking, consider your options as there are people who may want to work with you.

But again, if you don’t feel like hustling with local retailers and trying to work out a deal, then a local farmers market could be a hit as well.  And who knows?  If your product sells, you could even create a website and sell online, making the opportunity even better!

Now, if you do consider this alternative, be sure to check your local laws in regards to selling consumable baked goods as they do vary across the globe.

Bartending

No, you don’t have to sign up for a part-time or even full-time job if you want to chat with the public and serve a few drinks.

Working as an independent contractor, wedding parties, catering halls or even simple house parties are often looking for bartenders to work for a few hours.

While it helps to learn how to make the drinks, you could easily make a few hundred dollars a night in doing so, all while having a ton of fun.  After all, people are drinking and are there for a good time, right?

If interested and confident enough to bartend, consider signing up so you can be seen at Thumbtack or GigMasters.  Or, if you have the time, consider starting your own small side business with a simple website targeting your local city.

Beekeeping

This is a unique one and only probably is appealing to a few, but seeing I want to create an in-depth hobby guide, I figured I would add it.

Now, as a disclaimer, I know NOTHING about beekeeping and won’t act like I do, but in short, you host the bees on your property and sell the honey when it’s ready.  You can also rent out your bees to farmers who need them as well.

To learn more about beekeeping, check out these guides on Udemy as these professional beekeepers will be able to explain how you can make money much better than I can!

Beekeeping For Dummies, a highly-rated book on Amazon, also teaches you everything you need to know about beekeeping as well.

Bike Riding

Yes, if you like riding your bike, there are actually a variety of ways to earn money in doing so.

If you live in a populated city, such as New York City or Chicago, for instance, you could deliver food while on your bike with apps like Uber.

But if you don’t like the idea of delivering food, that’s fine as well as you could consider teaching a spin class or even part-time at a bike shop to connect with other bikers.



Blogging

Hey, you’re on my blog right now, right?

And you could have your own blog on virtually any topic, and best of all, you don’t need any coding experience either as most websites run on a content platform known as WordPress.  It’s super easy to install, and once you do, it’s even easier to post content on your website.

You just need to have a knack for writing and learn how internet marketing works, in general, to get the ball rolling.  This is easier said than done, however.

Now, before you get excited, do know that while there is a TON of money to be made in blogging, it could take up to a year before you even see a penny, even if you write a few times a week.  Because of this, you will find a lot of people drop out quickly thinking it’s a get rich scheme.  Sadly, it’s not.

While making money in blogging is whole another post in itself, I recommend a few great FREE websites to get you started:  Backlinko.com, AuthorityHacker.com, RankXL.com.

You can also check out a lot of these great paid courses on Udemy as well that cost less than $10.  I’ve subscribed to a few in the past and learned quite a bit.

And one last thing.

If you see internet marketing courses for $100, $200 or $300+, steer clear of these for now as you can find almost everything you need to know on the internet for free.  If you really want to invest some cash, consider some of the Udemy courses to see if it’s something you want to jump into.

Please, AGAIN, there’s no need to invest hundreds right off the bat as you’re just making the blogger rich who’s more than likely peddling the same stuff we can all find online.

Calligraphy

This may only appeal to a few, but if you’re able to write as a calligrapher, there could be some jobs waiting for you, including

  • writing wedding invites
  • creating party invitations
  • creating various art on your own Esty store, etc

The ideas are endless and even as you’re learning, just know there are people out there who would love to buy your unique services.

And if you want to continue mastering calligraphy or start learning, there are some awesome kits on Amazon that include everything you need to get started.

It’s never too late to learn.

Catering

Parties often need a lot of food, and if you feel you can not only cook a killer dish but serve a party, it could be a great side job opportunity.

In most cases, you will need a license, but don’t let the process scare you as it isn’t as hard as you think.

To learn more about the industry and how to start, I highly recommend this NFIB guide.

Carpentry/Woodworking

While there are people in the construction trade known as carpenters, that’s not exactly what I’m talking about here.

Whether it’s refinishing antique furniture, building a wooden sign or anything with wood in general, carpentry can be a very lucrative skill that can earn you a pretty good pile of cash on the side.

And to make money, there are a variety of ways to do so.

For one, you can consider advertising your products on your local Facebook Marketplace (if they allow it) or even consider Etsy if your product isn’t too large.

All I can recommend is that you find a niche, capitalize on it and hope for the wood to spread about your talents.

Want some inspiration?  See how the Homestead Craftsman makes money in woodworking.  I also recommend Pinterest for thousands of woodworking ideas.

Chess Coaching

Fan of chess?

If you feel you’re good enough to beat the majority of the opponents you play and see yourself as an expert player, consider coaching others for a few extra bucks on the side.

Again, as long as you have a strong background, some chess coaches report making more than $50+ an hour, but this will depend on where you live.

As I mention a few times in this guide, consider creating a posting on Thumbtack.com or posting an ad on Craiglist or even a local Facebook group.

Cleaning/Tidying Up

Yes, to most of us, cleaning is a chore, but to some, it could be a hobby.

Whether it’s tidying up a house, or helping someone organize their closet, I can almost guarantee you that hundreds of people need their house cleaned each month.

And if you want to work with a few people or turn it into a full-time gig, it is possible as long as your work speaks for itself.

To find potential clients, you can do a few things.

Consider finding people on Care.com or you can post ads on Craigslist, Nextdoor or even local Facebook Groups if allowed.

Clean well and the referrals will continue to pour in.

Coaching

In most sports leagues, particularly the youth leagues, coaches often work on a voluntary basis, but did you know that some schools and even clubs will pay you to coach a youth team?

From local venues, such as the YMCA to local school districts, coaching jobs can be a fantastic side gig, especially if you have a passion to teach the sport.

And the opportunity doesn’t stop there.

In some cases, the parents may reach out to you to help their child in the offseason to help work on their skills, earning you even more.

To find these jobs, I recommend you check out local school district employment pages or even Indeed to see what kind of opportunities may exist in your town.  Checking in with the YMCA or a sport league could work as well.

Comedy

Love to make people laugh?

If so, did you know that local comedy clubs may be willing to pay you to come in for the night or even be an opening act for a comedian coming to town?

With comedy clubs everywhere, contact a club near you or even visit their official website for more information to maybe make a few extra bucks on the weekend.  Granted, not all clubs work this way, but you never know.  Worst case, you could show up for free and start to build a fan base at least.

And if you don’t like the idea of the club, I’ll mention it a lot here, but you can also consider creating your own YouTube channel, where you can upload your skits and eventually make money from the ads on your channel.

You won’t make much in the comedy world unless you become the next Dave Chappelle, but hey, it’s worth a shot if you’re passionate enough.

Cooking

Did you know that you can cook from the comfort of your own home and actually make some money?

Now, there are a few routes you can consider if you love cooking and let me explain a few below.

For one, you can cook a meal at your home as you would normally do, but you can invite the public to your dinner, all while charging admission.  Bonappetour.com, for instance, allows you to apply as a host and is highly recommended if you don’t mind strangers coming to your home while you host and cook a meal.

As a second option, meal planning can be yet another hobby that could potentially turn into a full-time gig.   This could include freezing meals for families or even cooking inside someone’s home.  Of course, you would have to advertise your services, but it could take off and pay quite well as you would have recurring work throughout the week.

And as the last option, consider offering cooking lessons online or even sharing recipes on YouTube or a website.  I’ll recommend them a lot on this website, but do check out these very low-cost helpful guides (I’m talking less than $10) on Udemy to see how you can make money on YouTube doing what you love.  It’s not as hard as you think!

Crafts

This category is very broad, but wow, in the world of crafts, your ideas are endless.

From creating headbands for newborns to crocheting a new blanket, if you have the talents and there’s a demand, then there’s absolutely no reason you can’t make a few dollars on the side.  In fact, if there’s too much demand, it could soon turn into a full-time business venture.

And if you need ideas, consider browsing Pinterest or even Etsy for some inspiration as here, you can find thousands of ideas to get you started.

When I did, here were some of the most popular items that seemed to sell quite well:

  • candles
  • home decor
  • jewelry (necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, etc)
  • purses/bags

In the world of crafts in terms of selling, there’s no better website than Etsy as it only deals with homemade custom gifts, making it a great platform to reach a massive audience to sell your crafty goods, but of course, there are other opportunities as well.  Consider local craft shows, eBay, creating your own website or even another popular website, Bonanza.com.

To get started, Jason Miles, the author of Craft Business Power: 15 Days To A Profitable Online Craft Business, helps you create a 15-day plan to start making money with your crafts.



Credit Card Churning

In the world of credit cards, there are A LOT of bonuses to be made.

I’m talking hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars in rewards, when you sign up for a credit card and take advantage of a bonus.

To me, I love credit card churning and there’s nothing more exciting than finding a credit card that will reward me with $1,000 in bonuses just for signing up and spending a few bucks.  And trust me, you can just use your credit card for everyday bill spending and it doesn’t take long to hit the minimum.

Now, the world of churning can be complex to some, but if you study it and understand it, it’s actually not that bad.  You just need to be smart about it and know the bank’s rules.

For now, I highly recommend you check out this r/churning subreddit to keep up to date with the latest credit card offers.

And if you get serious about it, you should easily net $500+ in bonuses a year.

Decorating

If you feel you have a good eye for decorating or design in general, then you could find yourself with a nice paying side hustle.

As an interior designer, for example, you could find yourself working with a variety of projects, ranging from an interior designer, helping people furnish their home, to even selling your own unique decoration products.

And if you’re good enough, you could consider starting a blog or even a YouTube channel.

Detail Cars

Sounds like work to some, I know, but honestly, I do know of people who genuinely like to clean.

If you don’t mind going to a customer’s home, detailing a car could be a decent way to make $100 or $200+ in a day.  And plus, you’re enjoying the outdoors with no one breathing over your shoulder.

Get good at it and could easily turn into a full-time income.

DJ

Whether you have the equipment or not, becoming a DJ isn’t as hard as you think, especially in today’s technological era.  The hardest part, as many would agree, would rely on finding the parties to play at and actually being good.

From weddings to a backyard birthday party, of course, it will take work building your client base, but once the word spreads, you could be much busier than you imagined.

To start your adventure as a DJ, consider posting an ad on GigMasters.com or ThumbTack.com.  Craigslist and Facebook Ads could work well, too.

Before doing so, however, just make sure you have the experience and/or a video of a sample performance to help show your potential customers what your act is all about.

Driving

Do you like to drive around town or want to take your car out for a spin but always hate the idea of filling up?  And no, you don’t have to drive people, either.

If you love to drive and want to get paid to do so, there are SO many ways to make a few dollars on the side, all while working whenever you want.

From delivering food to packages, there are so many options on the market, and I highly recommend you check out these reputable companies if you want to work when you want and get paid $10+ an hour in doing so:

Do keep in mind that the great companies, such as GrubHub and Amazon, often have a waitlist, so it doesn’t hurt to add your name to the list to get in, but other companies, such as Doordash and Uber, always seem to be hiring.

There are even more options, so be sure to check out these 25+ options if you like the idea of driving.

Again, if you love to drive and want to work whenever you want, I can’t recommend these options enough.

Drone Pilots

Drones are quite new to the market, but there’s already a way to capitalize on it and make money.

And if you’re wondering how the heck it can be done, allow me to give you some ideas:

  • real estate photography for realtors
  • aerial photography
  • fly over videos for businesses

It’s up to you to find these clients, but if you own a drone and feel as if you can do the following, then there are people out there who want to hire you!

Hobby Farming

This option kind of touches upon gardening, which I list a few spots down, but hobby farm, at least in my opinion, will focus more on raising animals.

One guy I found on Reddit noted that he raised ducks and made a nice amount of cash throughout the year and had fun doing it.

But, if you’re interested, it’s highly recommended you have at least 10 acres of property to turn this into a profitable hobby.

And plus, it helps to have the experience as well.

Again, I know NOTHING about farming, but these books can do a much better job than I could.

Fishing

Yes, fishing is an awesome past time, but you can make a few dollars in a variety of ways, depending on what you want to do.

And to give you some ideas, here’s what you could do if you wanted to make some money in the fishing world:

  • use your boat for a tour
  • make lures
  • run a fishing camp
  • teach people how to fish as a fishing guide
  • become a pro and enter tournaments
  • write a fishing blog or run a YouTube channel
  • breed fish

As you can see, the ideas are endless, but of course, it’s up to you to take action and create a game plan.

Fitness

If you love to go to the gym and health in general, then why not take your expertise and consider helping others share your passion for lifting weights and running on the treadmill?

While you will need a personal training certification to be hired by a gym or to be taken seriously by a potential client, it actually doesn’t take that long to get certified if you’re interested.

For example, if you look at the NASM.org website, you can take advantage of the self-study program, including the NCCA accredited exam, for less than $600 total!

Once certified, it’s then up to you to decide what you want to do as you can either consider working with a local gym or finding clients on your own.

Regardless, this is, by far, the best way to make some extra cash if you love going to the gym and working out.

Flipping

Do you like to go to garage sales?  What about your local Goodwill or Salvation Army?

If you love to shop for second-hand goods or even the clearance section at a local retailer, you could turn this shopping hobby into a decent side hustle.

Known as flipping, the process is simple.

Find an item you can buy for less than what you can sell it for after the selling fees are deducted from eBay or Amazon, usually the two most popular platforms selling often choose.

So, for example, if you found an older book at Goodwill for $2 and could sell it on Amazon for $9 after fees, you could make a quick $5 profit.  Find 20 of these opportunities and you’re $100 richer.

Now, flipping is a very competitive field as many flippers love to frequent the local thrift stores as well as garage sales, but hey, even if you make a few hundred dollars a month, it’s going to be more than what you started with, right?

To give you some ideas, here are some of the most popular items people often flip:

  • appliances
  • artwork
  • books
  • electronics (video games, etc)

I could write forever on flipping, but for now, I will point you to a few outside sources to learn more, such as these awesome Udemy courses or this r/flipping subreddit.

Also, check out Garage Sale Goldmine, an awesome book I read that teaches you how to make up to $1,000 per week scouring local garage sales.  It’s a good yet CHEAP read.



Freelancing

An extremely broad title, I know, but if you’re interested in any of the following jobs, it could turn in a very nice side job or even full-time income:

And while I do touch upon a few others later on in this guide, some of these opportunities may require a pinch of skill and some sort of educational background.

Regardless, I recommend checking out Upwork and the graphic above to see what kind of jobs are available and what you could potentially make.

And yes, the world of freelancing can be scary.

I was there once, but as this could be yet another blog post, for now, I recommend reading This Year Will Be Different: The insightful guide to becoming a freelancer, an awesome book that teaches you how to get started in the world of freelance.

As you can see, there are SO many freelancing job opportunities available.

Restoring Furniture

If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, then flipping furniture could be up your alley.

From finding low-cost gems at a local garage sale to the freebie section on Craigslist, households are always giving away furniture for nothing.

And while it may look ugly at first, there are a variety of ways you can touch it up to sell it for a profit.

Even if you don’t have the experience or even know where to start, Amazon has a TON of books to get you started.

Gaming

From creating gaming tutorials on YouTube, playing on Twitch to maybe even creating a website if you have the time, gaming, yes, can be a lucrative side hobby, especially if you have the talent and/or skills.

If you don’t feel like the idea of creating a walk-through guide or don’t have the personality for a YouTube video, that’s fine as your skills may good enough to enter a local tournament or even be good enough for an Esports league.

As this industry continues to grow, there are A LOT of opportunities here, but remember, like an actual sport, you need the skill to compete.

And if you feel you’re good enough, you could earn hundreds, if not thousands, in prize pool money.  Check out this MoneyWatch article that talks about kids making $10,000 a month playing video games!

To find a tournament or more information, there are a lot of resources, but I would start with popular websites like Battlefy.com or ESC.  Depending on the game you play, you may enter the tournament alone or may need a team of sorts.

Playing Games

If you like to play games, some websites, such as Swagbucks and Inbox Dollars, let you test out games and reward you in doing so.

And in general, this will range from downloading a new app and trying a game or earning points as you play the game, which you can then redeem for cash.

Now, you’re not going to get rich.

In fact, you may make a few bucks a month, but if you want to make the BIG bucks playing games, you may want to refer to the last point mentioned.

Gardening

If you love to garden and have one right now, consider taking your excess product and/or gardening more, if you have any, and think about selling online or even at a local farmers market.

And no, I’m not talking about creating a website and shipping it to someone’s door; instead, a simple ad on Craigslist, a local Facebook Group or Nextdoor should suffice.

While you won’t get rich selling your produce, it should be enough earning to cover your garden and a few extra bucks for maybe a nice dinner in the future.

For motivation and a lot of inspiration, David The Good teaches us how to make thousands in our spare time with gardening with his highly rated book.

Graphic Design

Graphic design is a very competitive field and could take quite some time before you start receiving good paying gigs due to the many overseas providers who charge a fraction of what you may want.

In the world of graphic design, there are a variety of ways to start earning cash, from creating a job posting on Fiverr to answering ads on Craigslist.

There’s even a cool website called 99Designs, which allows you to submit work based on the requester’s description, but the only way you get paid is if they choose your design.  As mentioned, it can be quite competitive and don’t be surprised if you’re competing with 50+ submissions.

Just remember, if want to get into the graphic design world, just make sure you have a portfolio because your soon-to-be clients will definitely want to see it.

Handyman

If you feel you can tinker around the house and fix a lot of problems other homeowners have, you may want to consider becoming a handyman on the side.

From installing ceiling fans to maybe a new set of locks, homeowners are always looking for small jobs that need to be complete.  Other ideas could include cleaning out gutters, repairing a fence, panting, cleaning up a yard and SO much more.

And if you like the idea, just make sure you check your local laws as it’s often a great idea to become licensed and insured to become more reputable.

Becoming a handyman will take some work, but if interested, refer to one of the many YouTube videos listed here.

Home Brewing

This is a tricky one because the laws greatly vary from state to state, but if you love to brew beer, have you considered selling it for a profit?

Again, you can’t create a listing on Amazon or start selling in your garage, but it can be done, particularly if you obtain a professional brewing license.

If you do consider this hobby, I do recommend you talk with a lawyer before proceeding.

Hosting Guests

If you just love socializing in general, consider opening up your home for the night.

Whether it’s one room in your home or the entire home for the week, AirBNB connects you with verified travelers who need a place to stay.

While I was contemplating putting this here, I feel it can be a hobby if you don’t mind meeting up with people and organizing your home after they leave.

In some cases, especially those who live in a popular area could easily make $100+ a night.

Landscaping

Love being outdoors?

Whether it’s tending to someone’s garden or even mowing the lawn, a lot of busy households are always on the prowl for someone to take care of their lawn.

While this doesn’t sound like a hobby to some, I know, it doesn’t, but there are people out there who genuinely love doing anything outdoors.

To find these jobs, consider posting jobs on your local Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace/Groups and/or search Care.com to see if anything piques your interest.



Local Guide

If you feel you know your town better than anyone else, consider taking people around for a tour.

Whether it’s driving around, riding bikes or even walking around the downtown, you could make some decent money if you live in a popular touristy area.

And if you don’t like the idea of meeting with people, I recommend it a lot on here — consider creating a YouTube video series or website to earn a few bucks on the side.

Makeup Artist

No, you don’t have to work full time at a local salon in order to make the big bucks as a makeup artist.

From helping a bride for her wedding at the wedding venue to setting up in-home appointments, becoming a freelance makeup artist could be a great way to make some money, sometimes not even having to leave the home if they come to you.

And if you don’t like the idea of working on others, consider starting your own YouTube channel and/blog to gain a following.  I recommend this option a lot, but it DOES pay well if you work hard at it.  Again, refer to these many guides (makeup or YouTube) on Udemy for motivation and ways to get started.

If you do plan on working with others, be sure to refer to your local laws before considering.

Magic

Know any magic tricks?

If so, birthday parties and even some corporate events would LOVE to hire you.

Consider listing your services on Thumbtack.com and GigMasters.com to see if anyone is interested.

And if you don’t like working with the public, that’s fine as you could share your talents on YouTube.com as well.

Music Teacher

In the land of music, so many people, both rookies as well as veterans, are looking for professional help, no matter what kind of instrument you play.

And how you make money while playing music, can be done in a variety of ways.

For one, you can consider starting a YouTube channel and build a subscriber base, which eventually leads to advertising dollars.  In these videos, you can start with the very basics and work your way up.  I’ll mention it a few times, but I don’t know much about YouTube, but these Udemy guides may be of help and only will cost you a few dollars to start learning.

Secondly, you can consider tutoring in person, and to advertise, you could consider posting ads on local Facebook Groups (if they allow), Craigslist or even connecting with a local music school.

All in all, people are always looking for professional help, and if you think you have what it takes to teach someone else, consider turning this hobby into a money-making side adventure.

Playing Music

And if you don’t want to teach others, playing music at a local bar, club or even wedding can be very lucrative as well as long as your band has the right fit.

Generally, cover bands tend to do well as most people want to know what you’re playing, and while there’s nothing wrong with playing your own hits, cover bands, in general, tend to do much better.

Whether you’re a one-man show or have a group of guys (or gals), reach out to local bars, post ads online and connect with fellow musicians in your town to see how they are getting gigs.

In the world of music, there are a TON of ways to make a few bucks on the side, usually on the weekend nights, but still, it’s a great way to make some side cash doing what you love.

Personal Shopper

Love to shop?

Hey, if so, what if I told you that you could shop for others AND get paid for it?

I’m talking about grocery shopping at your local Walmart to picking up some home goods at your local Target, all while working when you want WITHOUT having to find clients to work with?

Much like Uber, the two most popular shopping apps, Instacart and Shipt, let you turn on the app as you please (first you have to apply) and then accept jobs as they come your way, making it a very awesome side opportunity since you get to work whenever you want.  I even talked about more personal shopping options in this post as well as my apps like Instacart post.

Depending on the area you live in, shoppers who use these apps can make up to $25+ an hour.

And if you don’t like the idea of shopping for others, mystery shopping is another adventure to consider, where you shop undercover, all while being paid handsomely.  I listed a few companies to consider in my 500+ ways to make money guide if interested.

As a great option for those who want to shop and deliver groceries to a customer, it really doesn’t get much easier than this, I promise.

Pets

This section is quite broad, but in the world of pets, there are SO many ways to make money on the side, including:

  • pet sitting (at your home or theirs)
  • dog walking
  • pet grooming

As people are always going away on vacation or working long hours, they are always on the lookout for someone to watch their beloved pets and willing to pay you for each visit, sometimes as much as $30+ a visit!  Add in three pets a day and you’re making close to $100 — not bad!

So if you have the room inside of your home to watch some pets or don’t mind visiting the pet owner’s home, consider creating a profile and/or searching jobs at Rover.com, SitterCity.com or Care.com to start receiving leads or contact pet owners in your area.

And if you strictly want to walk dogs only, Wag is yet another resource to consider to make up to $25 an hour, all while working when you want to.

Photography

Do you love to take pictures?

If so, did you know that you can upload your pictures to a variety of websites online and get paid for them every time someone makes a purchase?

With several websites offering the opportunity to make cash with your photos, this could be a whole post in itself, but for now, I recommend the following websites if you’re interested:

If you do join, just make sure that you read the website’s guideline and fine print to know the requirements to when it comes to listing your photos.  For instance, one company may require exclusive rights, while another may let you post them in other markets.

Aside from uploading online, private clients may be available as welll, and this could include the following:

  • real estate agents for their homes
  • families looking for portraits
  • marketing agencies looking for advertising material

Honestly, there are a TON of opportunity, but if you want to make it, a lot of work is required.

I mention a lot of books on this post, but it’s basically due to the fact that I don’t know much about the topics at hand.  For photography, you may want to check out some of these Amazon best sellers.

Playing Poker

This is a HUGE gamble as you are, of course, gambling to win, but some players to make quite the money at doing it.

If you feel you have the talent to compete, head to a local casino with a poker room and test your luck, and right away, you should know if you’re going to be able to compete or not.

And if you don’t have the money, consider playing for fun online or with some friends to potentially make millions

Even if you’re a rookie, you have plenty of time to learn the market as well.  To get started, there are multiple strategy books that can get the ball rolling.

Podcasting

Don’t like the idea of writing a blog or putting your face on TV, then podcasting could be yet another avenue to consider.

Much like a website and video creation, there are a variety of ways to earn, from placing advertisements to even working with local businesses if your podcast is locally focused.

Podcasting doesn’t take much work to set up, but of course, it could take some time to get the ball rolling.

For inspiration, these low-cost Udemy courses can teach you how to make money in a matter of months.  If you prefer a book, Podcasting For Dummies could be a good choice as well.



Proofreading and Editing

Every day, millions of blog posts are posted a day, and yes, a good chunk of these people need proofreaders to look over their work, myself included!

Even outside of the Internet, people need proofreaders as well, including book authors, businesses for reports and marketing material, as well as even college students submitting a lengthy essay.

And if you feel you’re great at proofreading/editing and have the experience to back it up, then you could be a great candidate with a new side proofreading job.

To find a proofreading gig, there are a variety of resources to consider, including the following:

This list is just a pinch of what’s out there, and I promise, in the future, I will create an extensive list of all the proofreading companies that exist out there.

Public Speaking

If you don’t mind speaking in front of a crowd about something you’re passionate about, then public speaking may be a great side job opportunity if you have a particular skill and the experience to back it up.

Since businesses and organizations often need an expert to speak to their employees on a range of topics, there could be a chance you could talk in person or even online in form of a video and make some money in doing so.  And who knows?  It could turn into a lucrative career.

If you’re passionate about a topic and want to share your expertise with others, consider signing up with databases, such as eSpeakers.com, SpeakerHub.com or joining the National Speakers Association.

Read Books

I wrote about this in the past, and I found out that you can actually make some money reading books.

While you won’t make much, and in some cases, just a free book for your time, it’s a pretty cool option if you want to test out new books and get rewarded in some way or another.

Again, I encourage you to check out my list of 21+ resources if you love to read and wanted to get rewarded in doing so.

Reviewing Items

This is a unique one, but I wanted to include it here because I see SO many people doing this on their YouTube channels.

And let me explain how it works…

If you’re the type that loves to try out new things, anything in general, then touching upon my video creation tip (I will get into this in a few below), you could make some decent money creating a YouTube channel and making money from the ads.

PLUS, if you get big enough, advertisers may start to contact you, asking if you’re willing to promote their product for a fee.

Now, I can’t stress it enough.

Creating videos in the YouTube space will take some time, but it can be done.  While I would love to help, I will point you to these awesome how-to guides on Udemy.

Restoring Cars

This hobby, as you can imagine, will take a pinch of skill on your end, but if you know how to restore a car, this valuable skill can easily be turned into an awesome side gig.

From buy and flipping the cars on your own or working with clients, the investment is definitely worth it once the word spreads.

Sewing

In the sewing world, there are a lot of opportunities to make some money on the side.

From hemming clothes for someone to even making a unique creation on Etsy or doll clothes, if you can sew it, there could be a chance you could sell it.  You could even offer classes if you’re good enough!

Of course, it’s up to you to find your clients, but in the world of the Internet, there are so many great resources to promote your services, from Facebook Groups to Craiglist.

I did find a book on Amazon titled “50 Ways To Make Money Sewing,” but it wasn’t highly rated.  It could be something to consider if you don’t mind paying a few bucks.

Soaps

I have read a lot of success stories online in regards to people going to local craft shows and selling their homemade soap supply for a few hundred dollars.

And from what I read, the startup fees are quite small and it’s not that hard to get the hang of it once you make a few batches!

If you love the idea of working at a craft show and/or selling online and being creative with your soaps, then it could be something to consider.

Small Engine Repair

If you’re mechanically inclined and don’t have a lot of work space, then you may want to consider buying and flipping small items such as push mowers, weed eaters, blowers, etc.

One guy on Reddit.com, for instance, said he could find these items for almost nothing, sometimes free on Craiglist and flip them for a healthy profit, all while investing less than $20.

So, if you like the idea of tinkering, listening to music in your garage and fixing a few tools, then this could a nice side hobby that brings in a few hundred per month.

Sports Referee

Sports are being played almost daily, both inside and out, with people of all ages, and no, you don’t have to know the sport in depth to become a referee.  You just need to know the basics most of the time, but every league will have their own restrictions.

If you’re a fan of sports, then youth sports leagues, as well as adult recreation leagues, are almost always looking for help on almost any day of the week.

And to find these jobs, I recommend either checking out the popular job aggregator website, Indeed, or visiting your local parks and recreation page directly to see if any job postings are active.

Teach

Throughout this post, I have been promoting Udemy and it’s for a good reason as there are a lot of talented professionals on there who share their thoughts for a few extra bucks.

Well, instead of learning, you could even consider teaching a course on virtually anything through the website or even on your own website or YouTube if you prefer.

I encourage you to check out the website and see what kind of courses are out there.

If you feel you could make a much better course or even create one that’s not on there, then heavily consider it, but before doing so, just make sure there’s demand.  As long as you create a course that’s actually worth something, you could turn this into a great passive income opportunity.



T-shirts

Touching upon my graphic design option as mentioned above, I wanted to include this side gig but as another category.

Known as Amazon Merch, you can start creating t-shirts and making money, all while having NO inventory, but it isn’t easy it seems at first.

For one, you need to be accepted into the program, which can take some time, and secondly, you need to know what sells.

As with any business, you will need to promote your t-shirts to start seeing sales, but once you do, you can make some great money in doing so.

Since I could write A TON about this topic, I highly recommend the Amazon Merch subreddit, /r/AmazonMerch/to learn how the process works.  Also, consider some of these low-cost tutorials on Udemy as well to teach you how you can make money online selling t-shirts as well.

And of course, aside from Amazon Merch, you can create and sell your t-shirts on a variety of platforms as well, including Bonfire.com, CafePress and Teespring.

Trivia

As a fair warning, you’re not going to get rich in doing this.

In fact, you will be lucky to make a few bucks a month, but if you’re a fan of Jeopardy or answering trivia questions in general, there are a lot of apps on the market that you can play almost daily that will often reward you with BIG prizes, including:

Tutor

Touching upon the teaching method, I wanted to include tutoring as well, but in a different section as I believe it’s a pinch different than what I was talking about above.

If you’re good at specific topics in school, such as science, math or English, to name a few, then consider offering your services either online or in person.

With a variety of ways to market your services, I recommend the following websites if you want to tutor solely online:

And if you want to tutor in person, consider creating an ad on Craigslist, Nextdoor, a local Facebook Group or even at a local school.

It can take time to find your first student, but once you do, the word could spread and you could soon find yourself busier than ever.

Travel

Do you love to travel?

If so, there are some ways to make money in doing so, but it will take some work on your part.

From creating an interactive travel blog to videos on YouTube, this is one of the BEST ways to earn a living while traveling the globe.  Plus, the money is quite passive.

If you need inspiration and want to start, it can be done.

And while I would love to create a guide right now, maybe I will do so in the future, but for now, refer to these highly rated Udemy guides.

Aside from creating a blog or videos, there’s also another hobby in relation to travel referred to as travel hacking or credit card churning.

And in a nutshell, travel hacking or churning generally refers to applying for a credit card that has a large sign-up bonus, leading you to free travel rewards or cash, for instance.

This could include an airline credit card that offers a free airline ticket or maybe a travel-related credit card that gives you X amount of points, in which you can redeem for hundreds of dollars for free travel.

As a great hobby, it’s a fun way to research and earn some awesome rewards in doing so.

Video Game Accounts

Are you really good at a game and enjoy playing it?

If so, did you know that there are a variety of ways to sell your account, character and/or even currency for cold hard cash?

From mobile app accounts to selling gold on RuneScape or a rare character on FortNite, the options are quite endless.

To see what’s in demand and how much you can make, I encourage you to check out PlayAuctions.com, PlayerUP or even eBay.com.

But just remember, in doing so, you’re often violating the game’s terms and conditions.

Videos (Creating and/or Editing)

You’ve heard of the Internet’s biggest website, YouTube, right?

Of course, you have.

And like many of the hobbies I have listed thus far, creating videos is yet another hobby to consider as there is A LOT of money to be made.  If you don’t believe me, look up a few of your favorite YouTubers on SocialBlade.com and see what they probably make each day.

The numbers are mind-blowing.  I’m talking $25,000+ in a day for some of the biggest names on the platform!

Like creating a website, your ideas are endless, and in essence, you’re kind of turning two hobbies into one.

For example, if you love gardening and making videos, then you could consider monetizing a channel showcasing your gardening skills.

Now, I’ll be honest.

While I watch a lot of YouTube, I don’t have a lot of experience uploading videos and making money, but I know it can be done.

But if you want to learn, again, I highly recommend a lot of these Udemy YouTube classes to help get you started.

Just browse through the highest rated ones and select one that is of interest.   Most of these highly rated ones won’t cost you more than $10, I swear!  There are also multiple free guides online to teach you the ropes, such as this one, courtesy of SocialMediaExaminer.

Watch Videos

Do you like to watch videos on YouTube or online in general?

Well, did you know that you can actually turn this into a profitable adventure?

No, you WON’T get rich, but hey, you can get a few extra bucks in doing so.

I did write about making money while watching videos in the past, but if you don’t want to read it, here are the companies I recommend you check out:

Again, expect to make a few bucks, but hey, you might as well get paid doing something you already do.

There are more of these websites if you’re interested and you can find them via the 28+ ways to make money watching videos.

Web Design

Much like graphic design, the world of web design is quite competitive as well, but I would never stop anyone from chasing their dream, as cliche as that saying is.

If you’re good at tweaking WordPress themes, creating websites from scratch or even programming in general, there could be a market for your skills.

And again, like graphic design, you can advertise in the same way (Fiverr, Craigslist or 99Designs, etc), but do keep in mind that it could take quite some time before you even land your first client, so don’t be discouraged!

If you want to take it one step further, consider reaching out to some local businesses without a great online presence and see if they are interested in your services to start building your portfolio.

Wedding Officiant

You don’t have to be religious or run a church to be a wedding officiant.

As couples are looking for all sorts of people, consider hosting a wedding for a few hundred bucks for the afternoon.

And no, you don’t need to take a year-long class as you get ordained in as little as a few minutes!

Writing

If you love to write, there are SO many ways you can make money writing in your free time and you don’t even need to be a fantastic writer.  Heck, if you work hard at it and can put your thoughts on paper, you can easily turn it into a full-time gig if you find the right clients.

From creating a job posting on Fiverr and working on your own to answering ads on Craigslist, there are SO many resources you can consider if you want to write.  You can even work at your own pace, selecting a particular job at your leisure with companies such as Textbroker.com.

And while I did write about the many freelance writing platforms on my 500+ ways to make money guide, I will list a few of my favorites here if you’re interested in making money with your writing skills.

These are just a few of the many options online but are considered to be some of my favorites.  To find more, a quick search for “make money writing websites,” for example, can yield hundreds of more results.

Final Thoughts

After writing this, I didn’t realize how many hobbies are out there that can actually make you money.

Yes, while some of these hobbies do sound like work, to some, it’s actually a lot of fun!

For instance, I love to drive, and it’s one reason why I drive with DoorDash in my free time, but when I talk to some people, they say they HATE the idea of driving around town.  It doesn’t make me a whole lot of money personally, but I love to get out of the house, seeing I work from home.

The lesson is here is that there’s something for everyone, but just because it doesn’t sound like a hobby to you, it may be to someone else.

So, for now, pick and choose the ones you like and check out some of the outside resources I linked to for more information.

In doing so, hopefully, you can make a few extra bucks in your spare time AND have fun doing it.  That’s the point, right?

If I’m missing any, let me know about your hobbies and how it makes you cash.  I would love to hear about them below!

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Tom Nathaniel

Hi! My name is Tom Nathaniel, and I created LushDollar to help share my honest thoughts on everything money. You won't find gimmicks here. It's the Internet's most honest money site after all. I graduated from Arizona State University, and I have worked in the finance industry since 2006, consulting with multiple Fortune 5000 companies.

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