Frugal Hobbies You Can Turn Into A Side Hustle And Make Money From

Hobbies are a great way to bring out your inner creativity, and they can even make you some money. But when you’re trying to save money, it’s not always easy to find hobbies that don’t cost a lot of money.

That’s why I’ve put together this list of frugal hobbies that make money.

No matter what your interests are, there are plenty of ways to turn your hobby into a part-time job or side hustle that will help you earn extra cash while still having fun.

As a frugal person with a flair for overcoming obstacles and solving problems, you can make money by starting or improving your existing hobby.

List Of Frugal Hobbies That Can Make Money

There are countless ways you can spend your free time all while making extra money. In this listicle, I am going to share frugal hobbies that can save and help you make extra money.

Hobbies on this list don’t require spending a lot on equipment and other tools. A lot of these frugal hobbies are free or cheap to do and can make some extra money as well.

Writing

Writing is a frugal hobby that can also make money. Even if you’re starting out and looking to build your portfolio, there are plenty of opportunities to write.

If you’re more advanced in your writing craft, there are also ways to make money from it, for example, by writing for blogs or other publications or creating eBooks.

You can also sell private courses or services related to writing.

Blogging

If you have a love of writing, blogging is a great way to earn money. You can write about whatever interests you and find an audience that shares your passions.

The best part about writing is that you don’t have to spend much money on equipment or materials. All you need is a computer, an internet connection, and a few hours a day to write.

Drawing / Sell Drawings Online

If you have a talent for drawing or are just interested in learning how to draw, you can sell your drawings online. The best place to start is social media.

Post your art on Facebook and Instagram and ask people if they want to buy it. You’ll also want to create a website and post pictures there as well.

Try creating things like t-shirts and printed materials that feature your drawings. People will love the personal touch!

Crafts and Handmade Products

There are lots of ways to make crafts and other handmade products that you can sell online. You could make something as simple as soap or candles, or even knit sweaters.

But again, remember that it will take time to learn how to do this well, so don’t expect instant success.

Surfing the Internet

You might already know that you can make money from surfing the internet, but did you know that there are several ways?

If you’re not sure where to start, try looking into paid survey sites like Swagbucks.com.

Surfing the internet might not seem like much of a hobby at first glance, but there are many ways that someone can make money while surfing online.

Take Online Surveys

Online surveys are great for making money when you have time to spare. You can do it on your phone or laptop, and the best part is that they’re available all the time.

You just need to figure out which websites are legit, and which ones aren’t, but once you do, you’re good to go.

Create a YouTube Channel

YouTube is one of the most popular websites on the internet and you can make money from it by creating your own channel and uploading videos.

You don’t have to be a professional videographer to make videos and make some cash from them.

The key is having a good product in mind, whether it’s a how-to video or just funny content about your day-to-day life.

Your audience will follow if they like what they see, so bring them along for the ride.

Cooking / Baking / Make And Sell Jam And Other Food Items

If you love cooking or baking, why not take it up a notch and sell the results?

People love homemade food items because they know there are no preservatives or artificial ingredients involved (plus it tastes way better than store-bought stuff).

You won’t believe how many people are willing to pay top dollar for something that makes their lives easier.

Tutoring Kids

If you have a passion for teaching, tutoring is a great way to make some extra cash. You just need to find a reliable source of students and a space where you can meet with them.

You can tutor in your own home or in a public location like a library or coffee shop. You can find tutoring jobs online, at your local school district office, or even via word of mouth.

This is one of the most popular ways to make money with your skills because it’s flexible and easy to do from home.

If are you interested check this guide, it will help you get started.

Comedy

If you love making people laugh and enjoy being around comedy, consider trying comedy as a side hustle. There are lots of opportunities to get paid to perform stand-up or tell jokes at open mics and other venues.

You can go solo or join an improv group that performs regularly at venues around town. If you want to take things even further and get paid for your performance skills, go ahead and start booking gigs at comedy clubs.

Dog Sitting / Dog Walking

If you love dogs but don’t have time for them in your busy life, consider becoming a dog sitter or walker by signing up with Rover or Wag.

These are two popular websites where people can post information about their pets and their needs for pet caretakers as well as connect directly with potential clients who are looking for someone like you.

Create a Course

If you have knowledge of a topic that others might be interested in learning about, then creating a course is an excellent way to make some extra cash while helping others.

The best part is that once you create it there are no overhead costs. You can market your course on platforms like Udemy or Skillshare or even create your own website and sell it directly there.

Collecting And Selling Antiques

If you love collecting antiques, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to turn your passion into some extra cash.

Antique stores pay well for items in good condition, so if you find something nice at a garage sale or flea market, don’t let it go without getting at least $10 for it.

You can also sell online by posting pictures of your finds on sites like eBay or Craigslist.

Car Detailing / Waxing Cars / Car washing

If you love cars (or just like getting paid to clean them), car detailing is a great way to earn some extra cash while enjoying your favorite hobby.

You’ll need a good waxing kit and some cleaning supplies, as well as the ability to carry out tasks like vacuuming the car’s interior and removing stains from seats or carpets.

You can usually find all of these things at auto supply stores or even online.

Gardening / Plant And Sell Herbs

Gardening is one of the cheapest hobbies out there, so if you’re looking for something new to do that doesn’t cost much, this might be the hobby for you.

Actually, there are many ways to make money from your garden.

If you have the space, you can grow vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Herbs are especially easy to grow because they don’t need much attention and don’t take up much space.

You can start off with a small herb garden or even just a few plants in pots on your balcony.

Podcasting

Podcasting is a great way to make money on the side. You can make money from ads, or even sell your podcast to a larger company once it’s established.

If you have an interest in podcasting, but no experience with editing or recording, there are tons of free tools out there to help you get started.

Audacity is one of my favorites because it’s completely free, and has all the features you need to record and edit audio files.

Photography

It’s true. If you’re willing to put in the time, effort, and energy, photography can be a great way to make some extra cash.

There are tons of ways you can do this, but one of the easiest is by selling your photos online.

Sites like Shutterstock or iStock sell stock photos for use in commercial projects, so if you have a good eye for photography and want to get into the business side of things, it’s a great way to start.

Upcycling

Upcycling is basically reusing something in a new way. It’s so popular right now because it allows people to turn old junk into beautiful new decor items or unique gifts.

It saves money because there are so many things that can be reused; all you need is some creativity and patience.

Jewelry Making

You don’t need expensive tools or materials if you want to start making jewelry at home, just some basic supplies like beads and wire will do.

If you want something more delicate or intricate than what comes in most starter kits, try using some craft supplies like polymer clay instead.

Developing Software

If you’re good with coding languages like HTML5 and CSS3, then developing software is a great way to make money.

Many companies will pay developers on an hourly basis, so if you have a lot of free time on your hands and enjoy creating new products, this could be a great way for you to earn some extra cash.

Selling on eBay

If you’re interested in selling on eBay, start small, you don’t want to get overwhelmed by your first big sale.

Think about what items might sell well on eBay, and then decide if it’s something you’d like to do regularly.

What If None of These Frugal Hobbies Interests You?

What if none of these frugal hobbies interest you? What if you just don’t know where to start? The best way to find a hobby is to ask yourself what kind of hobbies interest you.

Do you enjoy writing? Do you like being indoors? Do you love taking care of animals? Whatever it is, there are probably plenty of people who share that interest and could give good advice on how to get started.

Here are some resources that might help:

  • The local library has lots of books on all sorts of topics, including books on hobbies and crafts.
  • Your local bookstore has loads of magazines devoted to all kinds of interests—from travel to knitting!