16 Fun and Profitable Hobbies That Make Money

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Hobbies are activities we enjoy doing in our spare time to relax and escape from work and life.

I know most of you are probably thinking to yourselves, “I need a hobby that makes money!”

Whether you like to retreat to your bedroom with a favorite book or experiment with a new recipe you’ve always wanted to try, these aren’t tasks we’re obligated to do to pay the bills. You engage in them simply out of choice.

So, wouldn’t it be incredible if you could earn while doing the things you love?

Imagine the possibilities with extra cash earned during your leisure time! Perhaps you want to make an extra $500 a month or a quick $200 a day.

You might even wish to transform that hobby into a lucrative business and earn $500 a day or even $1,000 a day online!

Whatever the case may be, this additional income can be used to buy desired items, pay off debt, or even save up for a delightful vacation. Perhaps it’s this unfamiliar freedom of choice that makes people skeptical about the existence of money-making hobbies.

However, the reality is that numerous hobbies can generate income, and many people are turning these profitable pastimes into full-fledged careers, doing what they’re genuinely passionate about.

You can even learn how I transformed my hobby of making money on Pinterest into my full-time job, a role I find joy in every day! I went from earning my first $1,000 as a hobby to now over six-figures per year!

Finding a profitable hobby just requires a bit of creativity and an open mind to explore new avenues!

So, here are the best profitable hobbies to help you get started on earning extra money in your free time!

You have the flexibility to choose when to work, whether that’s working one day a week, in the morning, or at night. These are lucrative hobbies that afford you flexible hours.

 

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Profitable hobbies that make money

I’ve handpicked this list of the best money-making hobbies, each with potential for profit, provided it’s something you genuinely enjoy doing in your spare time. The list encompasses both home-based and online hobbies that can generate income.

 

1. Flip things for money

Do you have sharp eyes to recognize the value in items that other people often miss?

And are you looking for money-making hobbies from home?

If yes, then you can potentially make money by flipping all sorts of products (e.g. smartphones, clothes, and collectibles) on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist!

To profit off this hobby, you buy products at a low price and sell them back to the market at a higher price.

Flipping items was one of the fun hobbies that I experimented with while I was looking for hobbies to make money from home because I wanted to save enough money so I can quit my job (spoiler alert: I quit my job to pursue my passion! 😊).

Plus, this was one of the best part-time jobs for introverts like myself who like working alone!

During my spare, I searched online and purchased small furniture items, like nightstands & coffee tables, from local sellers. Now, I didn’t resell the items as-is, I sanded the pieces, touched it up with paint, added my personal touch to the items, and sold it to buyers that wanted unique furniture to add to their homes.

Here’s an example of something I flipped a few years ago (it was an old and dated side table that needed love) and I was able to earn an extra $100+ just from reviving this:

Believe it or not, I was able to earn extra money ($300 – $500 in cash per month, sometimes even as high as $1,000 per month) by flipping furniture! Not a bad hobby to make money, right?

Again, you can earn a profit by flipping almost anything. The more familiar you are with the products, the more you can earn with this fun hobby.

 

2. Make Money Blogging From Home

I may be biased because it’s what I do everything, but this is literally one of the best hobbies that make money online – starting a blog and making money on Pinterest!

We’ve all heard of people blogging for fun, but did you know that there are people online that earn a full-time income blogging from home?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

I also didn’t know that it is possible to earn a living blogging until I stumbled upon this crazy idea and personally experimented with it just a couple of years ago. (I’m pretty open to new ideas and I like trying new things, so why not test it out? Starting my blog actually cost far less than my orbit sander and paint that I bought to flip furniture!)

And surprisingly, I was able to earn this kind of cash online through blogging:

By learning how to build a profitable blog as a hobby, I’m able to earn over $20,000 per month just by blogging from home!

Now to be transparent, this didn’t happen overnight, and it wasn’t a walk in the park. It takes time and persistence. However, I am confident that if you put in the time and effort to learn something, you’ll be able to master whatever it is that you want to learn.

Today, I’m a full-time blogger blogging at the comfort of my home or at my local coffee shops (Starbucks is my 2^nd home). I only mention this because I want you to know that it’s absolutely possible to make money online and earn a full-time income doing it.

If you ask me for ideas to making money from home, starting an online business, or finding a side hustle to earn extra cash, I always recommend you to start your own blog and try it out. This is because blogging completely changed my life in ways I couldn’t imagine, and I truly believe that it could do the same for you!

Starting a blog is worth sharing because it allowed me to quit my full-time job and live the life that I always dreamed of – earn money from home and have the freedom to set my own schedule so I could spend more time with my family.

If you follow my blog income reports, you know that I really mean it when I say that if I can do it, then it’s totally possible for anyone to do it too.

Looking back, I’m very happy that I took the leap of faith and started a blog on a whim.

If I didn’t start this blog, I wouldn’t have the flexibility to work on my terms and I would still be commuting every day to my dreadful job… (I sure don’t miss the long commutes and toxic workplace politics!)

I told myself that if I can afford $3 to $5 a month, then it won’t hurt to try something new and start my own blog to earn extra money from home. If it doesn’t work out, that’s okay; at least I’ve tried it and won’t regret thinking about what could’ve happened.

Honestly, blogging is one of the most profitable and lucrative hobbies around if you take the time and effort to learn how it works and how to monetize it. Take it from someone who didn’t know what a blog was a few years ago and started with no experience.

 

🌟 Starting a blog is one of the cheapest ways to launch a profitable online business without a huge following. Unlike other business ideas, you don’t need a lot of money to start a blog. In fact, it cost less than a cup of latte a month ($2.95) to launch your blog!

Follow my blogging journey to see I went from earning extra money online to earning over $20,000 per month blogging today!

👉 Check out my easy step-by-step tutorial where I teach you how to start a blog and make money.

 

You can learn more about starting a profitable blog and earning money online through Pinterest with my personal experience:

• How to use Pinterest for blogging
• How to get traffic to your blog from Pinterest
• How I made my first $100 blogging
• How to become a blogger and get paid
• My blogging lessons and how I earned $27,689.76 a month

 

3. Get Paid by Sharing Your Opinion

Yes, your opinions matter and you can get paid to speak your mind!

Taking paid online surveys is one of the best ways to earn extra money in your spare time.

You see, multibillion-dollar companies like Nike and McDonald’s spend billions of dollars each year to hire market research companies to understand what their consumers like or dislike about their products so they can come up with better and new products for everyone. (Their goal is to make more sales)

With this massive budget to work with, market research companies are eager and more than happy to pay you money for giving your opinion and feedback on their clients’ products and services. You can even tell them how dissatisfied you are with their customer support!

Surveys are purposely designed to be short and easy to answer so you can do them whenever it’s convenient for you – ideal for passing time when you’re bored or waiting for your food to be delivered.

Most surveys only take 3-15 minutes to complete and you get to choose how you want to get paid for your efforts. You can get paid through PayPal (most popular) or get free gift cards to retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Starbucks.

We don’t recommend you to do surveys all day because it won’t make you rich. However, taking paid surveys is an easy and fast way to earn money online during your free time to help with your monthly spending.

Here are some of the most trusted and best survey sites to make money online.

 

Swagbucks is a popular survey company and is one of my favorite survey sites – we’ve been using it since 2009 (as broke university students) to help pay for our Starbucks coffee! In addition to earning cash by taking paid surveys, you can earn PayPal money by watching videos, searching the web, shopping online, and playing games. You can learn how to make money online with Swagbucks through my review and tutorial.

🌟 Swagbucks is currently giving new members a FREE $5 BONUS for signing up today.

IMPORTANT: Don’t forget to verify your email with Swagbucks so don’t miss out on your FREE $5 offer!

 

Survey Junkie is another very popular online survey site amongst survey takers because they have one of the highest payouts for their surveys.

🌟 You can earn up to $45 per survey with Survey Junkie! Try them today to earn PayPal money instantly!

 

4. Arts and Crafts to Make and Sell

Do you spend your leisure time working with your hands and creating unique pieces of art?

You may be critical of your own creations, but there are plenty of people out there that will appreciate and love your work!

Think about it, consumers are constantly looking for new and different things to buy online. But they don’t want any product, not cookie-cutter products, what consumers really want are quality products that are unique, custom hand-made.

For example, if you enjoy making pretty bracelets, you can always start out small by making a few pieces to test it with your family and friends. Get their opinions on what they like about the bracelets and how you can improve the product.

Once you’re ready, you can list your products online so more people can view and buy your unique bracelets.

Etsy is the perfect place for you to set up your online shop! It’s free to create your own Etsy shop and you only pay when a make a sale.

With a little bit of creativity, you can turn your fun hobby into a profitable hobby!

 

5. Earn with Social Media

Let’s keep things simple.

You don’t need to complicate matters and spend too much time trying to come up with a hobby to make money. Even activities you do every day can help you earn extra cash from home!

Take social media as an example.

This is something you use daily without putting too much thought into it.

However, your experience and knowledge of social media are extremely valuable to many businesses.

To survive today’s world, businesses need to have an online presence to promote their products and services. Without it, these businesses run the risk of being obsolete and may have to shut down.

Business owners understand this, but they lack the time to learn how to use social media to get their products out there in front of customers.

This is where you come in!

As someone that grew up with Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, etc., you can leverage your know-hows and skills with social media platforms to become a social media manager for small businesses.

As a social media manager, you’ll be helping companies build and promote their brands online by creating content for users, engaging with followers, and managing social media profiles.

For beginners, you can always start as an intern or assistant social media manager to learn the nature of the industry and slowly make your way up.

Based on PayScale, you can expect to earn $40,320 a year as an entry-level social media manager (less than 1 year of experience). Once you gain some experience, you could earn $51,428 per year.

(When I started my blog, I didn’t know how to use Pinterest at all. But after learning how to make money on Pinterest, I’m now over $20,000 from home with Pinterest!)

Since you’re already spending your free time on social media, why not get paid to do it?

 

6. Make Money by Cooking & Baking

“Wow, this tastes amazing! How did you make it?”

“I wish I could cook as well as you!”

“If I were you, I would start a food blog or YouTube channel!”

Does this sound familiar to you?

These are common comments that people make when you have a talent for cooking or baking!

If you have an appetite for food and love being in the kitchen, then you should definitely consider starting your own food blog or YouTube channel to share and teach beginners how to make your delicious recipes!

The Internet is full of an audience that is constantly searching for “best spaghetti and meatballs recipes” or “best chocolate chip cookies recipes.” That’s because we all must eat and we’re always searching online for new recipes to try.

Your blog or YouTube channel can be filled with your favorite recipes from your grandma, cooking tips and techniques or dishes from different places you visited.

And if you’re really passionate about food, you can make money online by creating and selling your own digital cookbook down the road!

Aside from non-monetary benefits, having your own space to express your creative side allows you to hone your skills and grow as a person.

 

7. Airbnb hosting and property rental

Airbnb hosting or renting out property is not just about the cash, it’s also a chance to turn your place into a money-making haven and have a barrel of laughs along the way!

When my husband and I dived into the landlord game, we had a riot sprucing up our first rental property. We transformed it into a haven so cozy, even the toughest critics would approve. And guess what? It attracted top-notch tenants like moths to a flame. Who knew renovations could be so rewarding?

But hold your horses, there’s more! Ever thought of making money with Airbnb? It’s like adding a cherry on top of your profit sundae!

Hosting guests opens doors to meeting incredible people from all walks of life. You’ll share stories, create memories, and embark on mini-adventures right in your own four walls.

So, release your inner host, rule your domain with gusto, and embrace guests with open arms. With Airbnb and rental property as your side-splittingly fun and profitable hobby, you’ll rake in the dough, forge lifelong connections, and collect heartwarming memories that’ll make you grin from ear to ear.

 

8. Reselling vintage or collectible items

Reselling vintage or collectible items is like going on a thrilling time-traveling adventure, with a side of laughter and excitement. From flea markets to online platforms, you become a master curator of nostalgia, uncovering unique pieces that bring back memories and make you go, “Wow, did people really wear that?”

You might find yourself selling shoes for cash or even vintage video games worth a significant amount of money today. Heck, you may even start turning free stuff you found online into profitable treasures. It’s like discovering a hidden gem in your grandma’s attic and realizing it’s worth a fortune!

As you dive deeper into the reselling world, you’ll connect with fellow enthusiasts who share your love for the bizarre and beautiful. Swap stories, trade tips, and share a good laugh over that strange, yet strangely valuable, item you stumbled upon.

So, grab your magnifying glass, put on your detective hat, and get started on this reselling journey. You’ll unearth hidden treasures, travel through time, and make money while having fun in this unique and joyfully addictive hobby.

 

9. Online Gamer

Make money with video games? Yep, turning your video gaming hobby into a money-making venture has never been more attainable.

Many dedicated gamers are earning significant income by streaming their gameplay on platforms like Twitch or YouTube.

Ad revenue, fan donations, and sponsorship deals are a few ways streamers monetize their channels. Moreover, participating in eSports competitions provides an avenue to substantial prize money.

Even game testing, where companies pay you to test their new releases, can be a profitable venture. Skill sharing is another approach, where you could create online courses or coach aspiring gamers.

Additionally, game development, if you possess the programming skills, offers opportunities to create your own games and profit from their sales. Remember, the key to success in this field is the same as with any other hobby-turned-business: dedication, consistency, and continuously improving your skills.

 

10. YouTuber

Think about turning your YouTube binge-watching into a lucrative hobby by starting a profitable YouTube chanel – it’s like striking gold while doing something you love! Obviously it will take a lot of grind and hard work at the beginning but it’s well worth it in the end!

Whether your passion is cooking, fashion, travel, or gaming, YouTube offers a platform to share it with the world. By creating unique and engaging content, you can attract viewers and subscribers, and monetize through ads, sponsorships, or even crowd funding. Ever heard of ‘Super Chat’ during live streams? It’s an opportunity for fans to donate!

Unboxing videos and product reviews might also net you some freebies and additional cash.

Yet, despite these exciting prospects, I personally lean towards starting a profitable blog. Sure, YouTube’s a brilliant platform, but as a camera-shy individual, I find more comfort and creative expression in penning my thoughts, experiences, and passions in a blog. It’s just as fulfilling, with a world of monetizing opportunities waiting to be explored.

 

11. Become an Online Friend

In the digital age, companionship has a new frontier – online friendships.

It’s true, you can make money and get paid to become an online friend!

This unique hobby can become a rewarding income source for those who enjoy meeting new people and have excellent communication skills.

Websites like RentAFriend offer a platform where individuals can get paid for their companionship and interaction. People around the world are seeking companions for virtual events, language practice, or just a friendly chat. Just like any online venture, establishing trust and credibility are crucial.

My advice is to be genuine, considerate, and professional in all interactions. Being an online friend isn’t just about earning; it’s also about making a positive impact on someone’s life while enjoying the beauty of diverse human connections.

 

12. Profitable Fitness Hobbies

After a stressful day of work, do you like to clear your mind and relax by attending yoga classes or virtual sessions at home?

Perhaps going for a short run outside or on the treadmill is your go-to stress reliever. Whatever it is, you love being active and will always find time to do it no matter how busy your schedule is.

A very popular way to earn money with this positive hobby of yours is to become an online influencer!

You can share your workout routine, nutrition plans, or daily lifestyle with your loyal followers on various social media platforms, like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok or your own fitness blog.

You’re probably sitting there thinking, “I’m not an expert, why would anyone want to follow me?”

Don’t sweat it!

You see, you don’t need to be an expert to gain subscribers to your channel and readers to your blog.

Followers aren’t always looking for expert advice, they simply want to learn from someone that they can relate to and understand their struggles! There are plenty of inspirational weight-loss stories that people share online to help motivate each other.

Think about the people you follow online. Are they all experts or some are everyday people like you and me?

So no, you don’t need to know everything about a topic to teach others about it. It can be your story and your personal journey.

Now, if you like interacting with people and motivating others in person, then you should consider becoming a fitness trainer, yoga/spin class instructor, or referee for a sport you love. You can also coach younger kids how to play a sport you’re great at!

 

13. Writing Hobby to Make Extra Cash

Most people know how to write, but not everyone can write well.

The ability to connect and speak to readers is an art that is highly sought after in today’s world filled with content. Readers just can’t get enough of content and are hungry for more!

One of the ways to cash in on your writing hobby is to start as a freelance writer.

The main benefit of being a freelance writer is that you have the freedom to set your schedule and work from home as long as you get the job done.

If you think freelance work is dead, then you’re dead wrong. The freelance job market is picking up steam as employers finally start to embrace remote work. Due to the global pandemic, companies have no choice and are forced to adopt a flexible workforce where employees can work safely at home.

There are all sorts of work available to freelance writers. Here’s a shortlist of the type of jobs you can expect freelancers to work on.

• Blog posts
• Websites (e.g. sales and product pages)
• Newspaper articles
• Email newsletters
• Magazine articles
• Editing
• Ghostwriting

You don’t need to stretch yourself thin by doing a bit of everything. The important thing is to focus your efforts on the activities that you enjoy the most. It won’t be a hobby anymore if you start disliking what you’re doing!

To find freelance work, the first place to start is usually online job boards, like Upwork, FlexJobs, or Fiverr. You can browse around to see which sort of freelance writing work companies are looking to hire.

However, keep in mind that the most lucrative writing jobs are found through referrals so don’t be afraid to ask your clients if they know anyone is looking for writers.

 

14. Get Paid to Tutor in Your Spare Time

One of the most lucrative hobbies you can earn money with is tutoring!

This shouldn’t surprise you because parents are willing to pay big bucks to find tutors to help their kids catch up with school or get ahead of the class.

Tutors are extremely high in demand as the competition to enter college and university gets fiercer each year.

If you’ve got straight A’s in school and you have a talent at explaining complicated concepts in an easy to understand manner, then you’re set to go!

The best way to start tutoring is through referrals.

Don’t be afraid to ask your friends, relatives, co-workers if they know anyone that are hiring tutors for their kids. As you gain experience tutoring, you can increase the rate you charge from $30 per hour to $40-$50 per hour.

Another alternative to making money tutoring is by listing your tutoring services online at Chegg. Aside from Chegg, there are so many more online tutoring jobs available for you to take part of.

If you like tutoring or teaching kids, then you’re going to love this side hustle!

 

15. Make Money with Photography

When it comes to taking photos, my dad is exceptionally skilled at taking THE WORST pictures ever.

The images are dim, the angles are terrible, and someone looks like they’re about to go to sleep!

Photography is not as simple as point and shoot. It takes real skills.

So, if you have the talent to tell stories with images, take stunning scenic photos or capture someone’s essence, then making money with photography is absolutely possible.

You can start making extra money off your photos by selling them online at FOAP, Shutterstock, and Alamy. You’ll get paid every time someone makes a purchase of your photos.

It’s not easy to earn a lot right away, but it’s a passive way to pocket some spending money!

Another way for you to profit off this hobby is to seek out local businesses that lack high-quality photos for their business and offer your services to them. How times have you encountered pictures of food menus that don’t look appetizing, products that aren’t presented in the best light, or faces that don’t look excited at all?

If you think that you can take better photos than the ones you see in public, then there’s an opportunity for you to earn money!

For those of you that want to break into this industry and making a living out of photography, it’s a good idea to begin your journey and gain shooting experience by being an assistant to professional photographers or as a second shooter.

This allows you to learn the ropes from experts in the field and at the same time help you build your professional network.

Keep shooting and keep improving!

 

16. Organizing things

Organizing may be a hobby for you, but did you know it can also be a lucrative side hustle?

If you’re someone who’s obsessed with organizing, offering closet organization services could be the perfect money-making opportunity. Many people, including myself, feel overwhelmed by clutter and disorganization in their closets and are willing to pay someone to bring order to the chaos.

As a professional closet organizer, you can work with clients to declutter their spaces, help them find practical and aesthetic storage solutions, and create a more functional and organized closet space.

You can offer advice on wardrobe choices, categorizing items, maximizing space utilization, and maintaining the organization long-term.

On top of providing a valuable service, you’ll have the satisfaction of transforming a stressful, messy closet into a streamlined, functional, and enjoyable space. Your passion for organization can bring calm and order to others’ lives, all while generating extra income for you as a hobby.

 

Final Words on Hobbies That Make Money

The hobbies above are just a sample of the opportunities out there. There are so many hobbies and so many ways for you to earn money with it.

You like to sing your heart out? Make your own YouTube channel to entertain others.

You like to read on your free time? Try proofreading jobs that pay you to catch grammar mistakes.

You like crafting because it allows you to bring your imagination to life? Post your artwork and masterpiece online for sale.

It doesn’t really matter what your hobbies are, what truly matters is how can you use your hobby and interests to solve someone’s problem.

Don’t forget to have fun making money with your hobbies, otherwise, it’ll just be another job.

 

Are you making money with an interesting hobby? Share your ideas with us in the comments below.