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.
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 great 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. Whether it’s profitable craft hobbies or wood hobbies, there’s many ways to make money by having fun at home.
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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 surveys have become a popular side hustle recently because it’s a quick way to make extra money. If you have spare time in the morning when eating breakfast or in the evening while watching TV, this can be a great opportunity to make money.
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.
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 Swagbucks. This is one of the best paid survey websites available in the United States and Canada. They currently have a TrustScore rating of 4.3/5 on Trust Pilot, which makes them one of the highest rated survey sites.
How to get started with Swagbucks:
- Take Surveys: Sign up here to create your free account. This process takes only a few minutes to complete. Then you’ll be matched with surveys.
- Earn Rewards: Complete surveys and you’ll earn virtual points.
- Get Paid: You can redeem virtual points for PayPal cash payments or e-gift cards.
Other survey websites I recommend include Branded Surveys, Toluna Influencers, and American Consumer Opinion.
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.
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
If you enjoy writing about a topic that you’re passionate about and finding an audience, you can make money through your blog with ads, affiliate marketing, or paid sponsorships.
There’s potential to boost your income even more when adding your own products or services, such as e-courses or online coaching. 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.
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. 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.
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?
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. 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.
7. 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.
8. Graphic design
If you enjoy making graphics, this is one of the best hobbies that make money. Consider selling your graphic designs on an online marketplace, such as Cafepress. This site allows you to customize and design over 250 products and sell them through free user created shops. This can be a great way to make extra money on the side.
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. Cafepress will sell and market your products, and you earn the money!
9. 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 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.
10. 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 way to make extra money on the side.
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.
