What are the best hobbies that make money? Many of us want to do more of what we love and actually earn an income from it. Today I’m sharing a list of popular hobbies that make money. This can be a great way to make $500 fast.
Whether you’re looking for hobbies that make money for stay-at-home moms or money-making hobbies for retirees, many of the ideas on this list can be a fun way to earn money online.
Just a few years ago, I started this blog as a hobby when I was in school. I love writing and helping others — and within a short time, I never would’ve imagined that I could be earning money from a hobby.
It may sound like a pipe-dream, but there’s lots of frugal hobbies that make money in 2020. Whether it’s profitable craft hobbies or wood hobbies that make money, I hope you’ll find an idea on this list that gets you inspired.
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Table of Contents
1. Sharing your opinion
If you don’t mind spending a few extra minutes each day on the computer, you can get paid for it. Companies are willing to pay you cash to get your opinion on their products or services. This is one of the easiest hobbies that make money online and can be done in your free time.
The questions are easy to answer and most surveys take about 10-15 minutes to complete. You’ll get virtual points for each survey you complete, which can be redeemed for cash or gift cards. Sign up for multiple survey sites to make the most money. You can make $500 fast in a month!
PRO TIP: Earn the most money when you sign up for several survey websites. Then you’ll get to choose the surveys which pay the most money. Save time and earn more cash!
Start out with Branded Surveys. This is a popular survey site that will pay you cash. When companies want to launch a new product or collect market research, they turn to the Branded Surveys Community for feedback. You’ll collect points for each survey you complete. Points can be redeemed for cash or gift cards.
How to get started with Branded Surveys:
- Sign up: You can sign up here to create your free account. The more details you provide, the more surveys they’ll provide.
- Verify: Verification of your account and honest answers are key to providing market research on behalf of Fortune 500 companies. This will help you unlock more survey opportunities which means more ways to earn extra money.
- Participate: Collect points for every survey you complete. Points are redeemed for gift cards, cash, or Branded Pay™ (for US panelists only).
Other survey websites I recommend include Survey Junkie, Toluna Influencers, and American Consumer Opinion.
Read Next: 8 best survey sites that pay cash online
2. Writing or blogging
If you enjoy writing and sharing stories about your personal life, tutorials, reviews or tips, blogging can be a great hobby that makes money. You can make money through your site with display ads, affiliate marketing, or paid sponsorships.
I may be biased, but blogging is my favorite way to earn money online because:
✓ The start-up costs are low
✓ You can blog in the morning or evening (or whenever you have spare time)
✓ There’s no tech knowledge required
There’s potential to boost your income even more when adding your own products or services, such as e-courses or online coaching. Some people are earning six-figures per month from their blogs. It’s pretty special how blogging can be.
If this sounds like something you’re interested in, here’s a comprehensive tutorial on how to get started.
If you’re not quite ready to start your own blog, but you still enjoy writing, consider freelance writing. You can take on a few clients in the beginning to help build up your portfolio. Then you can start charging more and turn your hobby into a thriving side hustle.
My friend Gina began freelance writing in her spare time, while balancing her regular 9-5 job and taking care of two toddlers. Withing six months, she was earning $4,000 per month on the side of her full-time job. Now she earns six-figures per year as a freelance writer and teaches others how to make money writing.
3. Correcting grammar mistakes
Do you find yourself constantly noticing grammar errors when reading something?
If you have an eagle eye for spotting typos and spelling mistakes, you may want to consider becoming a proofreader. As an online proofreader, you can make money from home or anywhere that has an internet connection. This can be a fun and profitable hobby that you can do from home.
If this sounds like a good fit for you, I recommend checking out this free workshop on how to turn your proofreading hobby into a profitable business.
4. Decluttering and flipping items for profit
My boyfriend and I just recently decluttered the den area in our apartment. We had some old stuff like books, golf clubs and furniture that we didn’t need anymore and decided to sell it on Facebook Marketplace.
In just one week, we were able to make $700 selling stuff on Facebook Marketplace!
If you have some stuff that you don’t need anymore, you can make money selling it on platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, ebay, Etsy or Craigslist.
My friends Rob and Melissa actually do this for a living. They started selling old stuff and now look for items at fleamarkets and thrift stores to buy and sell for a profit. Within a year, they were able to turn their hobby into a six-figure business!
If this sounds like something that you might be interested in, you can check out Rob’s free workshop here. In this workshop, you’ll learn more about how to get started flipping and reselling items and how to make money from this hobby.
5. Shopping online
If you consider shopping as one of your hobbies, then I recommend signing up for Rakuten. It’s free to join and you can earn up to 20% cash back when shopping online. Rakuten will even apply coupons automatically at checkout, so you’ll always know you’re getting the best deal.
Plus for a limited time, you’ll receive a $10 welcome bonus just for signing up.
I use Rakuten all the time when shopping online and have been able to earn over a thousand dollars through them. Pretty awesome right?
PRO TIP: If you’re buying holiday presents online this year, don’t forget to use Rakuten to earn cash back on your purchases.
How to claim your free $10:
- Start here to sign up for Rakuten. (It’s free to join)
- Find your store on Rakuten next time you need to buy something. It’s connected to over 2,000 stores, including Amazon, Target, and Walmart. You’ll need to spend at least $25 on your first purchase within 90 days.
- Your Rakuten account will be credited with reward points. Get this cash sent to a PayPal account or choose to receive a Big Fat Check from Rakten. It’s up to you!
For Canadian shoppers, you can click here to sign up for Rakuten (free $5 welcome bonus).
6. Watching entertaining videos
If you enjoy watching entertaining videos online, you can get paid for it. Companies, such as Swagbucks, are willing to pay you with free gift cards for things you already do online. This includes watching videos, surfing the internet, playing games, and shopping online.
This can be a great way to earn gift cards to your favorite retailers like Amazon or Walmart without too much effort.
Prefer to get paid in cash? Simply redeem your virtual points to get cash back from PayPal. This is one of the easiest hobbies to make money.
Plus, when you sign up today, they’ll give you a free $5 bonus. You can click here to get started making money with Swagbucks.
7. Create a podcast (or become a podcast assistant)
Podcasting is similiar to blogging or starting your own YouTube channel, except the content is in audio format instead of text or video.
The fun part about starting a podcast is that you can create it about any topic you wish. As long as there are people who want to listen, you can talk about anything.
If creating your own podcast sounds a little itimidating, but you love the idea of working with audio, then consider becoming a podcast assistant instead.
As a podcast virtual assistant (also known as a podcast producer), you’ll get paid to offer technical, administrative, or marketing support to podcast owners remotely. This is one of the best hobbies that make money.
Most Podcast Producers earn an average income of $30 to $50 per hour (or more) over time. If you’re interested in learning more about how to get started as a podcast virtual assistant, here’s an in-depth guide you can check out.
8. Bake and sell homemade dog treats
Do you like dogs and want to give them tasty and healthy treats?
Many pet treats are really bad for dogs and are often filled with unhealthy fillers. This is why the demand for healthy and delicious dog treats is high and continues to grow.
You can make and extra $500-$1,000+ per month selling homemade dog treats!
My friend Kristin from Diva Dog Bakery, was tired of the boring treats she saw at big-box stores and wanted to create a gourmet dog treat that would be fun to bake at home.
Kristin started recipe testing in her kitchen using quality ingredients that she felt good about feeding her dog and came up with an all-natural treat that looked great and her dogs loved. That’s when her dog bakery business, Diva Dog Bakery, was born!
It didn’t take long before her dog treat bakery project turned into a booming side hustle business. Kristin’s bakery was picked up by print magazines and online press. She was even invited to participate for the Emmy Awards to gift her dog treats in the swag bags. It was a dream come true!
If this sounds like a fun opportunity for you, consider checking out her free workshop here. She’ll teach you how to start your own dog bakery business from home. And don’t worry — there’s no baking experience required!
9. Social Media
Do you use social media? Think about how much time you spend scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram. Why not use social media to make money?
Business owners and bloggers use social media to help increase their exposure and connect with their customers. If you enjoy spending time on social media, there are a few ways you could be using it to make extra money:
Social media virtual assistant – If you have basic social media skills, such as knowing how to post content on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest, then making money from home as a social media virtual assistant can be a great opportunity for you. Check out this free guide to learn more.
Pinterest virtual assistant – According Kristin, the mastermind behind Become a Pinterest VA, an absolute beginner can earn around $15-$20 per hour. Some Pinterest VAs can earn up to $100 per hour. If you’re interested in learning more, then check out this free workshop.
Influencer – You can become an online influencer and use social media to reach your audience. Make money through affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or selling your own products.
10. Graphic design
If you enjoy making graphic designs and working on the computer, you can make money by selling your designs online.
If you’re not quite ready to start your own website, consider using Spreadshirt. This is an online marketplace that allows you to customize and design products and sell them through free user-created shops. This is one of the best jobs for introverts.
Does this sound like a good fit for you? Simply create and upload your design on their marketplace to start making money. There’s no shop involved and no shop management necessary. Spreadshirt will sell and market your products, and you earn the money!
11. Fashion
Have you ever thought about turning your love for fashion into a profitable business? Stella & Dot make it easy for aspiring fashionistas just like you to join their team as an independent stylist — no experience required! This is one of the most exciting mom hobbies that make money.
As a S&D Brand Ambassador, you can earn up to 40% in commission selling Stella & Dot jewelry and accessories, in person or online. You have the flexibility to set your own schedule so you can create a thriving business you love. Trunk Shows can bring in a few hundred dollars in sales and some bring in thousands of dollars!
To get started, you’ll need to invest in one of their starter kits, which costs $199. Each starter kick includes your choice of over $400 in their bestselling products, a personal online store, and all the tools and training you need to become profitable. You can learn more about becoming an S&D Ambassador here.
12. Arts & Crafts
Many of us are spending more time at home, which makes this the perfect time to roll up your sleeves and get crafty. If you enjoy doing arts & crafts, this can be a great hobby that makes money for stay-at-home moms.
Whether it’s mason jar crafts, Cricut designs, or sewing handmade scrunchies, there’s plenty of things you can create and sell online.
There are a few ways you can open your own shop online. The first step is to create a business PayPal account so you can receive payments. Then, you can choose which platform works best for your online shop.
If you already have a blog, you can download the WordPress plugin, WooCommerce and activate it on your site. This makes it easy to list products and sell items through your blog.
For those who are looking for an all-in-one option, I recommend Shopify. This platform has everything you need to set up and launch your online shop. I’ve been using Shopify for the past year to run the Mint Notion Shop and love how easy it is to use. Especially since I’m not super tech-savvy.
Another option is to use Etsy. This is an online marketplace where you can list and sell your hand-made items or crafts. Many people choose this platform because it’s simple and easy to use.
13. Fixing things and being handy
Do you enjoy fixing things? I wish I was good at fixing things. Instead I just usually hire someone to make it easier for me.
In my neighborhood Facebook group, I always see people looking to hire people to help them with handyman work. If you’re handy, you could make extra money by helping others with special services. This includes painting, assembling furniture, mounting a TV on the wall, hanging a mirror or painting on the wall, installing lights and so on.
Websites, like Handy.com can help you find work as a handyman in your neighborhood. You can earn up to $45/hour/job as a handyman. The top pros on Handy make over $1,000 a week! This can be a great way to make extra money by helping people with their everyday to-dos.
14. Playing with dogs
If you love hanging out with dogs, pet sitting through Rover might be your perfect side hustle. This online network connects dog walkers and sitters to dog owners in your area. The best part is, you get to set your own rates, so you can make sure you’re charging a fair price. You can click here to learn more and sign up today.
15. Taking photos
If you have a passion for taking photos, this is one of the best hobbies that make money. Whether you decide to work with clients or sell your photos online, there is always a demand for beautiful photos. Flat lays, lifestyle photos, and landscapes are popular on stock photo websites.
