15 Hobbies that Make Money | Make Money Doing Something You Love (2024)

We tend to mentally separate time spent working from time spent enjoying ourselves, and accept that that the two rarely overlap.

But what if you had a hobby that could also bring in some cash? If you could earn money whilst doing something you love, you’d have the best of both worlds.

Not everything we do for pleasure can generate a revenue stream, but there are plenty of money-spinning hobbies for women that can make you money out there.

Fun Hobbies that Make Money

So, check out our list of 15 money-making hobbies and consider which might be possible for you.

1. Dog Walking

A dog is a man’s best friend, and often a woman’s, too. If you have a passion for dogs, and like to get out and about, combine the two interests and offer your services as a dog walker.

You can do this on a regular or ad hoc basis, and there are often opportunities close to home. You can advertise in the local press, in newsagents or on Gumtree.

2. Pet-Sitting

On a similar theme, owning a pet is a great hobby, but the cost of food, bedding, vets bills, etc. can rack up.

Turn this problem on its head and get the benefits of spending time with pets by pet-sitting when friends and family (or other people in your area) go on holiday.

This is one of those hobbies that make money with very little effort on your part: you may simply be required to make sure a dog doesn’t get lonely during the day while its owner is at work, feed the goldfish, or let a cat out twice a day.

3. Get Arty

If you have a creative flair for drawing or painting, and have the time to develop your skills, consider making artworks you can sell.

You might start off by selling your artwork at a local fair or displaying them on the walls of a local cafe or hotel, and once you have a good idea of the sorts of things that sell, you can also approach an independent shop or gallery to see if they are interested in stocking your paintings.

They will often do this on a commission basis, taking a percentage of the sale price but generating you both exposure and cash.

You could also consider selling your masterpieces on creative marketplace Etsy. They take only a 3.5% fee and you can reach a much wider audience.

4. Make Handmade Gifts

Think about the sorts of things you like to give and receive: jewellery and other fashion accessories, glassware and ceramics, and decorative items for your home.

With only simple raw materials and equipment, you can make handmade gifts such as this beautiful handmade makeup bag on Etsy.

Whether you have a passion for throwing pots, beading, or sewing, there are plenty of crafty hobbies that make money, and your outlets will range from local craft fairs and shops or online at Etsy and notonthehighstreet.com.

5. Buying and Selling Vintage Clothes

Lots of us would list clothes shopping as a hobby, but a large part of the pleasure comes from hunting down a bargain, regardless of whether or not we ever end up wearing the item in question!

Turn your eagle eye for fashion into a hobby that makes money by buying vintage clothes from charity shops, auctions, and car boot sales, and then re-selling them for a profit.

You can make a significant mark-up by cleaning the items, doing small repairs, and then listing them on eBay, where there are plenty of other shopaholics looking for an original item.

6. Playing an Instrument

Dig out your guitar, trumpet or drum kit: singing and playing an instrument are both hobbies that make money!

Yes, you’ll need to practice to a standard that other people want to listen to, but there are plenty of ways for musicians to earn small amounts of cash.

You might join a band with friends, deputy for other musicians in shows, and there’s always demand for teachers, too.

7. Tour Guiding

Are you knowledgeable about history, local legends, or the best places to eat and drink in your town? If so, and you have good communication skills, consider commercialising this hobby by becoming a local tour guide.

You can advertise your services on sites such as TripAdvisor, and through your local tourist office, though in the latter case you may require a permit.

This hobby is a great way to get out and meet new people, and you don’t have to do it all the time: set your own schedule, and remember that fortunately demand for your services will be highest at weekends and on sunny days.

8. Get Sporty

Did you know that running, tennis, dance, and yoga are all hobbies that make money? And you don’t even need to be particularly competitive.

You can earn cash in multiple ways. Consider teaching a class, setting up a local amateur league, or coaching people in the park.

You might offer your services as a personal trainer, and can even make money as a fitness coach online.

9. Blogging

Did you know you can make a 6-figure income from running your own blog? These days, anyone can set up a blog sharing their unique skills, knowledge, and experience with others, and making money.

You can use a platform likeWordPressto get up and running within minutes. You’ll need to pick a topic that resonates with readers and make the effort to build up a following, but the rewards will be worth it!

Want to start your own blog but not sure how to get started? Check out our step-by-step guide onhow to start a successful blog and make money.

10. Travel Writing

Many people tell us that being a travel writer is their dream job, but it’s a tough business to get into.

But, if you’re good at creating sumptuous descriptions about a place, then travel writing for fun is a great way to test the waters and see if you could make a career out of it.

You can set up your own blog and social media accounts, and make money through Google ads and sponsorship, or pitch stories to travel editors at magazines and newspapers, and get paid by the word or by the story for your work.

Or simply try freelancing sites like Upwork or PeoplePerHour – they charge a fee but you will find loads of travel writing jobs there.

11. Creative Writing

Most writers write for personal pleasure, partly because getting a traditional book deal from a publisher has always been so difficult.

But with the advent of self-publishing, you can share your creating writing with a wider audience than ever before, and make money on each sale.

Amazon has a great self-publishing option which enables you to make royalties of up to 70%, and there are plenty of print on demand companies perfectly suited to new writers.

12. Yoga and Meditation

There is a huge demand for yoga and meditation classes, either for small groups or one-to-one, so these are hobbies that can definitely make you money.

You can teach a class for your colleagues on your lunch break, or offer individual sessions at evenings and weekends.

It’s a great way to develop your own techniques and dedicate time to your own hobbies, whilst supporting others at the same time.

13. Baking

Baking can be an incredible way to relax and earn money on the side. The downside is that having baked something warm, fragrant, and sugary, it’s easy to scoff the lot yourself!

But thankfully lots of other people have a sweet tooth and would far rather buy homemade baked goods than something manufactured in a factory and sold in the supermarket.

Keen bakers can partner with a local cafe or independent shop to provide them with bakery products on a regular basis, you can offer made-to-order cakes online, and even advertise yourself as a wedding and birthday cake maker.

14. Graphic Design

Combine your artistic talents with a working knowledge of graphic design software to generate yourself an additional income stream.

Offer your services to small businesses through online platforms such as Upwork, designing everything from business cards and flyers to exhibition displays.

If your skills lend themselves towards the fine art end of graphic design, also produce cards, posters, prints and other gift items to sell through Etsy and Not On The High Street.

15. Photography

When considering hobbies that make money, give serious consideration to photography. It’s easy to get started, you don’t need to have expensive equipment, and there are plenty of potential revenue streams.

You can sell your images online through companies such as Shutterstock and Fotolia, shoot product images for catalogues and local firms, and also offer your services as an event photographer for conferences, concerts, weddings, and other special events.

Quality and reputation here are key. Not only do you want to do a good job for your customers, but photographers almost always grow their business by word of mouth.

16. Foreign Languages

Parlez vous Francais? Hablas Español? If you speak a foreign language, make the most of it!

There are many ways to turn this hobby into cash. You can bid for translation work on Upwork, create a course on Udemy, work on an occasional basis as an interpreter for organisations like the NHS and courts, and tutor students through their language exams.

If you prefer to work online, plenty of people are prepared to pay for one-to-one language tuition or foreign language conversation over Skype, so you can get paid as you chatter away.

17. Make Extra Money Tutoring

Love teaching? Turn it into a profitable side gig by becoming a tutor!

With the increasing competition for university admissions, the demand for tutors is soaring. Parents are willing to pay for quality tutoring to help their kids improve grades or stay ahead in class.

If you have the knack for explaining complex concepts in a simple way or enjoy working with kids, this is an easy way to earn money on the side.

Start by asking for referrals or sign up with online tutoring platforms. They make it easy to connect with clients without the hassle of finding them yourself.

For instance, if you’re into teaching piano, check with friends, family, and colleagues to see if anyone needs a piano tutor. You can also register your piano tutoring services on platforms like Tutor Hunt.

Make money doing what you love – it’s that simple!

Over to You

Earning money does not have to be a chore: there are numerous hobbies that make money which you can use to supplement your income. Have any of our ideas inspired you? What other hobbies can you think which might increase what you earn?

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