10 Top Picks for Hobbies that Make You Money

Hobbies are typically used to pass the time, build a skill, and for making new friends. But hobbies also have the potential to make extra cash. Hobbies that make money are great side hustles that can ultimately help set you up financially. Let’s go through 10 of the most profitable hobbies you can use to make money.

T-shirt Prints

If you’re creative and enjoy designing things, t-shirt designing is one of the best hobbies for you.  Little to no investment is needed upfront and even if you are not good at designing you can always outsource the designing aspect to someone else.  It’s possible to start your own t-shirt business without the need to invest thousands of dollars in inventory that you may or may not be able to sell.

You can sell your t-shirt designs through Merch by Amazon, Shopify, or some other platforms.

Create a Course

If you like to teach and help others, this can be one of the top hobbies that make money. Online training courses from sites like Udemy or LinkedIn are popular among working professionals that want to learn new skills but do not have the time or means to attend a regular college or continuing education class.

If you can create a course about the newest computer program, playing the acoustic guitar, photography, or your favorite hobby, you can create an online course to teach others a new skill.

Candle Making

According to the National Candle Association, candles generate $2 billion in revenue in the USA each year alone. This means that there’s definitely money to be made here! Learning how to make candles to sell and how to market yourself effectively is a way to turn candle selling into a part-time gig or a full-time venture.

Writing

If you like to write, there are plenty of different ways you can make money. Freelance writing is one of the best opportunities for making money online. There are tons of blogs that pay writers, and more blogs are being launched every day. There’s a huge need for talented writers, and some of the best opportunities pay very well.

Start with what you’re an expert at or something that you’re interested in learning. It could be fashion, social media, or business. You can also try your hand at editing other people’s work, as well as speech writing.

RELATED: How to Have 7 Streams of Income and Still Have a Life

Gardening or Landscaping

Do you love to be outdoors? Consider gardening or landscaping as a seasonal side gig if you have a green thumb.

Many people don’t have the time to work on their yards, but they’re happy to pay top dollar for great service. If you think this could be for you, you can start by asking around in your local neighborhood and town to see if anyone needs help.

Drawing

If you’re artistically inclined, you might try making some extra money from drawing. You can easily sell drawings online if you turn them into prints.

Many people are looking for original artwork to set up in their homes. You can be your own boss or create made-to-order masterpieces.

Baking

Do you love to create cakes, cookies, and desserts? It might be a perfect opportunity to make more cash. You can box up your creations and sell them in amounts of a dozen, half a dozen, and more. Maybe even try your hand at cake decorating or begin catering for businesses and individuals.

RELATED: 13 Budget-Friendly Heart-Healthy Foods and Activities

Interior Decorating

If you have any interior design experience, or you get a lot of compliments about your own home, you might have an interior decorating business on your hands. You can even do this remotely by offering advice over the phone or using video conferencing to help clients pick out decor to order.

Knitting

Do you love to knit scarves, hats, and other items? You can sell them online for great prices. Many people love to buy something made by hand and will pay top dollar for it. Plus, you can decide how often you want to create things to sell.

Photography

If you love to capture a moment, photography could be for you. Photographers often hire themselves out for special occasions and family portraits, engagements, and more. Find your niche, build a website, and begin making extra cash!

There are several ways to monetize photography. A number of major websites such as Flickr and Shutterstock provide photos to users across the web. You can earn some money by setting up an account on those sites and adding your photos to sell to potential clients.

Summary 

When you’re turning a hobby into a side income, expect there to be a learning curve. Even if you are good at something, the business aspect may take some time to understand. Pick something you enjoy, but make sure that you still have other pastimes. It’s important because once a hobby becomes something you make money from, it may start to feel a bit more like work. Any of the hobbies that make money mentioned in this article can be great places to begin.

Make sure to gain knowledge in your area of expertise by researching and taking classes that talk about your type of hobby. Then, continue to grow your small business!