Good Hobbies That Make Money (No, Really!)

The question “What are some good hobbies that make money?” often pops up on hobby message boards, subreddits, and other places where people congregate.

Hobbies are often an overlooked way to make money. Some hobbies are even able to convert into full-time jobs.

If you have the drive and creativity, you can often turn your favorite part-time pastime into a full-time income.

Craft fairs, flea markets, and farmers’ markets will likely be the easiest way for a lot of people to turn a hobby into some extra cash. But you should look for more good hobbies that make money.

Below I’ve collated some of the all-time most popular hobbies that, when turned into a full-time venture, have become very successful businesses or made a lot of money.

List Of Good Hobbies That Make Money

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a side hustle, or if you just want some extra pocket change, here are good hobbies that can help you do just that!

Selling on Etsy / Selling Handmade products

If you’re an artist, crafter, or just enjoy creating things by hand, selling them online is a great way to make some extra money.

You can sell handmade items on sites like Etsy or even set up an online shop of your own and sell directly from there!

Start a Blog / Create a Website / Freelancing

Starting any kind of money-making hobby online is always a great idea because it’s relatively easy to set up and doesn’t require any equipment or overhead costs (other than maybe hosting).

If you have something to say and want to share it with the world, starting a blog or website may be just what you need!

Collecting / Collecting Stamps / Collecting Vinyl Records / Collecting Watches / Collect Antiques And Sell Them

Collecting and selling stamps, vinyl records, watches, and antiques are all great ways to make money.

Collecting Stamps

Stamps have been popular for over 150 years, and they’re still going strong.

If you’re interested in collecting stamps and trading them with other collectors, consider attending stamp shows or starting your own local stamp club.

Collecting Vinyl Records

Vinyl records are making a comeback, but if you’re not into keeping them around for their nostalgic value alone, you can sell your vinyl records online through Discogs, eBay, or local record stores.

Collecting Watches

Why not turn your watch collection into an income stream? You don’t need anything fancy; just make sure you take good care of them.

If you keep them in good condition they’ll be worth more than just their monetary value when it comes time for resale.

Collect Antiques And Sell Them

If you have a knack for collecting antique items, then this is definitely a money-making hobby that you’ll want to try.

Antiques are valued for their history and uniqueness, so if you have a knack for finding the best ones, then you could be in for a good hobby that makes money.

Gardening / Plant And Sell Herbs

Gardening is a hands-on hobby that can be very rewarding. It’s also a great way to make money.

If you want to start a garden, it’s important to begin by finding out what kind of plants grow best in your area.

A good place to start is by looking at your local nursery and asking what kind of plants they sell and how well they do in the area.

If you’re a fan of gardening and have an extra chunk of time to kill, why not start selling some herbs?

Cooking / Baking

While cooking and baking can be very rewarding in their own right, they can also be an excellent way to bring in some extra income.

By selling your baked goods or homemade meals at local farmers’ markets and food festivals, you could potentially earn hundreds or thousands of dollars each year.

Repairing Things

If you’re the type of person who loves to tinker, chances are you’ve got some tools lying around. Why not use it to make some extra cash?

You can get paid by repairing things for people, whether it’s something small like a leaky faucet or something big like an old car.

Sure, this one takes more work than some of the other hobbies on this list, but if you have the patience for it and enjoy the process, then it’s definitely worth looking into.

Writing / Writing For a Local Magazine / Write Children’s Books

You might think that writing is just a hobby, but if you go into it with the right mindset, it can also be a way to make money.

Writing for a local magazine or newspaper is a great way to start earning some cash while still having time for other hobbies.

If you’re interested in writing for kids, consider writing children’s books.

Computer Programming

Are you looking for a computer hobby that makes money?

If you’ve ever wanted to create your own app, maybe now is the time to start with computer programming.

You can learn how to code, and then build apps that people actually use.

Programming is a great hobby for people who like logic and problem-solving, but it can also be incredibly rewarding financially, especially if you’re able to freelance as a programmer.

Artwork (painting/drawing) / Sell Your Paintings Online

You might not think of art as a good hobby that makes money, but it can be! If you’re talented at drawing or painting, you can sell your work online to make some extra cash.

Just remember to sign up for an account on sites like Etsy and Fineartamerica.com, and get ready to start selling your art!

Quilting / Sell Quilts Online

If you want to start quilting as a hobby, there are plenty of resources available online. Quilters are always happy to share their tips and tricks with fellow quilters, so don’t worry if you’re new.

You can sell quilts online, or in person at craft fairs and markets. It’s a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and styles, and it gives you a chance to use your creativity.

Woodworking

Do you like to work with your hands? If so, then woodworking may be a good garage hobby for you to pursue.

Woodworking can be both a creative outlet and an opportunity to make money. You can create unique pieces of furniture that can be sold online or at craft fairs.

Selling handmade pieces of furniture will allow you to earn money and show off your creativity.

Photography / Sell Pictures Online

Photography is a great hobby that can also earn you some money. You can sell your photos on stock photo sites like Shutterstock and iStockPhoto or through social media platforms such as Instagram or Facebook.

You can also create your own website and sell prints, calendars, and other items that feature your photography.

Dog Walking

If you love dogs and walking, this is a great way to make money. You can find clients who need someone to walk their dog on the days that they don’t have time to do it themselves.

You can even offer your services to folks who are out of town but would rather have their dog walked in a safe environment than be left alone for an extended period of time.

Tutoring

Tutoring is a good hobby to make money, especially if you have the skills to tutor in a subject that people are struggling with.

If you don’t know where to start, try asking around at local colleges or universities. They often have lists of students looking for extra help with their classes.

Another option is teaching over video chat. This can be done using platforms like Skype or Zoom. If you’re comfortable with this type of format and it fits your schedule, then it’s a great way to make money while staying home.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a great hobby that can supplement your income. It’s a way to make money by promoting products on your own website, social media accounts, or blog.

You’ll need to find a niche and develop an audience first, but once you’ve done that, there are a lot of companies that offer affiliate programs where you can promote their products and earn commissions on sales.

Beekeeping

Beekeeping is a great hobby that also makes money! If you have the right setup, you can harvest honey and wax to sell, or sell the bees themselves.

You can even make your own products with honey and wax! It’s a fun way to spend time outside and make some cash in the process.

Mowing Lawns

Mowing lawns is a great way to make money while getting exercise and enjoying the outdoors.

You can start by asking neighbors if they need their lawns mowed, or even do it for free until you get established.

Once you have a few clients, you can start charging for your services.

Making Models

If you have a passion for making models, you can turn it into a profitable hobby. You can make models of real-life objects or things that don’t exist in the real world.

You can also create your own characters, vehicles, and buildings. You can then sell them on eBay or Etsy and make money from the sale.

Make jewelry

Making jewelry is a fun hobby that can also help you make some extra money. If you’re already making jewelry, this is the perfect way to get your pieces out into the world and make some cash from them.

All you need to do is make some jewelry, take pictures of it, and then sell it online! You can even set up your own Etsy account and sell your items there.

Paint / Sell Your Paintings Online

All you need is some paint and a canvas (or whatever you want to paint on), and then you can sell your paintings online! It’s easy, fun, and totally worth it.

There are tons of websites out there where you can sell your paintings online, including Etsy and Fine Art America.

Candle Making

Do you love the smell of candles? If so, you’ll love this idea for making money. You can start by making your own candles and selling them online.

The best part about making candles is that it takes only a few supplies, so the initial investment is minimal. You can find all of the materials you need at craft stores or online, and they are relatively cheap.

Create YouTube videos

Have you ever thought about making money from YouTube? If you have an interest in something, can probably make some cash by creating videos about it.

You can create videos on any topic you like and earn money through advertising revenue or sponsorships. However, the more views your videos get, the more money you’ll be able to make.

Creating Minecraft Maps

Minecraft has become so popular because it’s easy to learn but difficult to master, and there are many ways to make money from it.

One way is by creating maps for others to play in. Someone who knows how to use the software well can create an intricate world that others will love playing in.

The more popular your map becomes, the more people will buy it.

Rare Car Collecting

If you have a passion for cars and would like to make some extra cash on the side, consider starting a rare car collection.

There are many different types of cars to collect, from classic models to modern ones. The rarer and more unique your collection is, the more money you can make when you sell it.

Sports Memorabilia

There are many sports memorabilia collectors out there, who are willing to pay top dollar for rare sports memorabilia items.

Start by collecting your own favorite sports teams’ memorabilia and then selling them online.

You can also buy other people’s collectibles from online auctions and then resell them for a higher price at an auction house or on eBay.

Online Surveys

Did you know that there are lots of different sites that will pay you to complete online surveys?

Some of these sites are free, but others require you to pay for membership in order to join and begin earning money by completing surveys.

You’ll be paid in cash or gift cards, so it’s easy to use your earnings for whatever you want!

Podcasting

You can also make money with podcasting. You don’t have to do it full-time, you can just make some extra cash on the side. There are lots of ways to monetize your podcast:

Sell ads during your episodes (or in between them). You can sell ads directly through your podcast host (such as SoundCloud) or use an ad network like AdvertiseCast.

Sell subscriptions and memberships through Patreon or another platform like Podbean Subscriptions.

Offer premium content on a pay-per-view basis (for example, selling access to exclusive episodes).

Vlogging / Travel Blogging

Vlogging is a great way to make money, especially if you’re a travel blogger. If you’re not sure what vlogging is, it’s basically just writing and recording a blog post that you can then share on social media.

It’s really easy to do, all you need is a camera and some good lighting. If you have an interest in traveling and sharing your experiences with others, then this is the perfect hobby for you!

Raising Chickens

The chickens will lay eggs and you can sell them to people who want fresh eggs, or you can eat them yourself.

You can also sell the chickens themselves when they are mature. You can even breed chickens if you have enough space for them to run around.

Go To Garage Sales

If you’re a bit of a hoarder, garage sales might be the perfect hobby for you.

Not only can you find some great deals on things you might not be able to afford otherwise, but if you’re lucky, you might even find a rare antique or piece of artwork that’s worth a lot of money.

Garage sales are like treasure hunts, but instead of treasure, you’re hoping for cool stuff that someone doesn’t want anymore.

Roast Coffee

If you love the taste of coffee, why not learn how to make it yourself? You can roast your own beans with a small home roaster, and then sell them to friends or at local farmers’ markets.

Start by purchasing green beans from a local coffee shop or roaster, or buy whole beans from an online retailer.

Digital Product Creation

There are many different types of products you can create and sell. You can create audiobooks, videos, ebooks, and even software.

You don’t need to be a professional writer or photographer to create digital products, you just need to have an idea, some software, and a little bit of time on your hands.

Car Flipping

The idea behind this hobby is simple, you buy a car, fix it up and sell it for a profit. You can flip cars online or in person, but the most important thing is to find a car that needs some work and can be sold at a profit.

If you want to get started, here are some tips: Find a car that needs work but has potential. Buy low and sell high. Buy cars that have been well-maintained. Buy cars with low mileage. Buy an older model that doesn’t depreciate as much as newer models.

Auction Shopping

If you’ve ever been to an auction, you know that it’s a lot like playing the lottery. You could walk away with something great, or you could walk away empty-handed.

But if you’re willing to put in a little time and effort, auction shopping can become a hobby that makes money!

First, you should learn about what types of items sell well on the Internet. You’ll also need an eBay account and a PayPal account so that you can sell your items when you find them.

Furniture Restoration

Any type of furniture can be restored, but the most common ones are antique furniture and antique clocks.

If you’re handy with tools and have a knack for woodworking, furniture restoration can be an incredible way to make money.

Don’t know where to start? There are many ways to learn about furniture restoration online, but if your local community offers classes in this area, sign up!

Music Lessons

If you love music, you can make money from it by offering music lessons. You can teach others how to play instruments, or you can learn how to play another instrument yourself.

If you’re good enough at it, you could even get paid by local restaurants or bars to play classical music during their dinner hours.