17 Fun and Profitable Hobbies That Make Money (2024)

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Hobbies are activities we enjoy doing in our spare time to relax and escape from work and life.

I know most of you are probably thinking to yourselves, “I need a hobby that makes money!”

Whether you like to retreat to your bedroom with a favorite book or experiment with a new recipe you’ve always wanted to try, these aren’t tasks we’re obligated to do to pay the bills. You engage in them simply out of choice.

So, wouldn’t it be incredible if you could earn while doing the things you love?

Imagine the possibilities with extra cash earned during your leisure time! Perhaps you want to make an extra $500 a month or a quick $200 a day.

You might even wish to transform that hobby into a lucrative business and earn $500 a day or even $1,000 a day online!

Whatever the case may be, this additional income can be used to buy desired items, pay off debt, or even save up for a delightful vacation. Perhaps it’s this unfamiliar freedom of choice that makes people skeptical about the existence of money-making hobbies.

However, the reality is that numerous hobbies can generate income, and many people are turning these profitable pastimes into full-fledged careers, doing what they’re genuinely passionate about.

You can even learn how I transformed my hobby of making money on Pinterest into my full-time job, a role I find joy in every day! I went from earning my first $1,000 as a hobby to now over six-figures per year!

Finding a profitable hobby just requires a bit of creativity and an open mind to explore new avenues!

So, here are the best profitable hobbies to help you get started on earning extra money in your free time!

You have the flexibility to choose when to work, whether that’s working one day a week, in the morning, or at night. These are lucrative hobbies that afford you flexible hours.

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Profitable hobbies that make money

I’ve handpicked this list of the best money-making hobbies, each with potential for profit, provided it’s something you genuinely enjoy doing in your spare time. The list encompasses both home-based and online hobbies that can generate income.

1. Flip things for money

Do you have sharp eyes to recognize the value of items that other people often miss? Are you looking for money-making hobbies from home?

If yes, then you can potentially make money by flipping all sorts of products (e.g. smartphones, clothes, and collectibles) on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist!

To profit from this hobby, you buy products at a low price and sell them back to the market at a higher price.

Flipping items was one of the fun hobbies that I experimented with while I was looking for hobbies to make money from home because I wanted to save enough money so I could quit my job (spoiler alert: I quit my job to pursue my passion! 😊).

Plus, this was one of the best part-time jobs for introverts like myself who like working alone!

During my spare time, I searched online and purchased small furniture items, like nightstands & coffee tables, from local sellers. Now, I didn’t resell the items as-is. I sanded the pieces, touched them up with paint, added my personal touch to the items, and sold them to buyers who wanted unique furniture to add to their homes.

Here’s an example of something I flipped a few years ago (it was an old and dated side table that needed love) and I was able to earn an extra $100+ just by reviving this:

Believe it or not, I was able to earn extra money ($300 – $500 in cash per month, sometimes even as high as $1,000 per month) by flipping furniture! Not a bad hobby to make money, right?

Again, you can earn a profit by flipping almost anything. The more familiar you are with the products, the more you can earn with this fun hobby.

2. Make Money Blogging From Home

I may be biased because it’s what I do, but this is literally one of the best hobbies that make money online – starting a blog and making money on Pinterest!

We’ve all heard of people blogging for fun, but did you know that there are people online who earn a full-time income blogging from home?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

I also didn’t know that it was possible to earn a living blogging until I stumbled upon this crazy idea and personally experimented with it just a couple of years ago. (I’m pretty open to new ideas and I like trying new things, so why not test it out? Starting my blog actually cost far less than my orbit sander and paint that I bought to flip furniture!)

And surprisingly, I was able to earn this kind of cash online through blogging:

By learning how to build a profitable blog as a hobby, I’m able to earn over $20,000 per month just by blogging from home!

Now to be transparent, this didn’t happen overnight, and it wasn’t a walk in the park. It takes time and persistence. However, I am confident that if you put in the time and effort to learn something, you’ll be able to master whatever it is that you want to learn.

Today, I’m a full-time blogger blogging from the comfort of my home or at my local coffee shops (Starbucks is my 2^nd home). I only mention this because I want you to know that it’s absolutely possible to make money online and earn a full-time income doing it.

If you ask me for ideas on making money from home, starting an online business, or finding a side hustle to earn extra cash, I always recommend you to start your own blog and try it out. This is because blogging completely changed my life in ways I couldn’t imagine, and I truly believe that it could do the same for you!

Starting a blog is worth sharing because it allowed me to quit my full-time job and live the life that I always dreamed of—earn money from home and have the freedom to set my own schedule so I could spend more time with my family.

If you follow my blog income reports, you know that I really mean it when I say that if I can do it, then it’s totally possible for anyone to do it too.

Looking back, I’m very happy that I took the leap of faith and started a blog on a whim.

If I didn’t start this blog, I wouldn’t have the flexibility to work on my terms and I would still be commuting every day to my dreadful job… (I sure don’t miss the long commutes and toxic workplace politics!)

I told myself that if I could afford $3 to $5 a month, then it wouldn’t hurt to try something new and start my own blog to earn extra money from home. If it doesn’t work out, that’s okay; at least I’ve tried it and won’t regret thinking about what could’ve happened.

Honestly, blogging is one of the most profitable and lucrative hobbies around if you take the time and effort to learn how it works and how to monetize it. Take it from someone who didn’t know what a blog was a few years ago and started with no experience.

3. Get Paid by Sharing Your Opinion

Yes, your opinions matter, and you can get paid to speak your mind!

Taking paid online surveys is one of the best ways to earn extra money in your spare time.

You see, multibillion-dollar companies like Nike and McDonald’s spend billions of dollars each year to hire market research companies to understand what their consumers like or dislike about their products so they can come up with better and new products for everyone. Their goal is to make more sales.

With this massive budget to work with, market research companies are eager and more than happy to pay you money for giving your opinion and feedback on their clients’ products and services. You can even tell them how dissatisfied you are with their customer support!

Surveys are purposely designed to be short and easy to answer, so you can do them whenever it’s convenient for you—ideal for passing time when you’re bored or waiting for your food to be delivered.

Most surveys only take 3-15 minutes to complete and you get to choose how you want to get paid for your efforts. You can get paid through PayPal (most popular) or get free gift cards to retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Starbucks.

We don’t recommend you to do surveys all day because it won’t make you rich. However, taking paid surveys is an easy and fast way to earn money online during your free time to help with your monthly spending.

Here are some of the most trusted and best survey sites to make money online.

Swagbucks is a popular survey company and is one of my favorite survey sites. We’ve been using it since 2009 (as broke university students) to help pay for our Starbucks coffee! In addition to earning cash by taking paid surveys, you can earn PayPal money by watching videos, searching the web, shopping online, and playing games. You can learn how to make money online with Swagbucks through my review and tutorial.
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4. Arts and Crafts to Make and Sell

Do you spend your leisure time working with your hands and creating unique pieces of art?

You may be critical of your own creations, but there are plenty of people out there who will appreciate and love your work!

Think about it, consumers are constantly looking for new and different things to buy online. But they don’t want any cookie-cutter products. What consumers really want are quality products that are unique, custom, and hand-made.

For example, if you enjoy making pretty bracelets, you can always start out small by making a few pieces to test with your family and friends. Get their opinions on what they like about the bracelets and how you can improve the product.

Once you’re ready, you can list your products online so more people can view and buy your unique bracelets.

Etsy is the perfect place for you to set up your online shop! It’s free to create your own Etsy shop, and you only pay when you make a sale.

With a little bit of creativity, you can turn your fun hobby into a profitable hobby!

5. Earn with Social Media

Let’s keep things simple.

You don’t need to complicate matters and spend too much time trying to come up with a hobby to make money. Even activities you do every day can help you earn extra cash from home!

Take social media as an example.

This is something you use daily without putting too much thought into it.

However, your experience and knowledge of social media are extremely valuable to many businesses.

To survive in today’s world, businesses need to have an online presence to promote their products and services. Without it, these businesses run the risk of being obsolete and may have to shut down.

Business owners understand this, but they lack the time to learn how to use social media to get their products out there in front of customers.

This is where you come in!

As someone who grew up with Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, etc., you can leverage your know-how and skills with social media platforms to become a social media manager for small businesses.

As a social media manager, you’ll be helping companies build and promote their brands online by creating content for users, engaging with followers, and managing social media profiles.

For beginners, you can always start as an intern or assistant social media manager to learn the nature of the industry and slowly make your way up.

Based on PayScale, you can expect to earn $38,000 a year as an entry-level social media manager (less than 1 year of experience). Once you gain some experience, you could earn $57,114 per year.

(When I started my blog, I didn’t know how to use Pinterest at all. But after learning how to make money on Pinterest, I’m now over $20,000 from home with Pinterest!)

Since you’re already spending your free time on social media, why not get paid to do it?

6. Make Money by Cooking & Baking

Do you consider your kitchen a safe place you can run to?

“Wow, this tastes amazing! How did you make it?”

“I wish I could cook as well as you!”

If these are words you often hear, then it’s time to turn cooking or baking into a money-making hobby.

The simplest way to earn from this hobby is by selling your creations. Food is a necessity, which means that there are always people who need to buy from you. Regardless if you prefer to bake homemade cookies or cakes, or cook savory dishes like lasagna, you can still expect people to go to you with an eager appetite.

You can start this business by offering your cooking to your neighborhood by delivering samples door-to-door. Word-of-mouth marketing is very effective! Once your neighbors taste your delicious treats, they’ll spread the word faster than you can say “chocolate chip cookies.”

7. Airbnb hosting and property rental

Some people are like fairy godmothers, only instead of Cinderella, they transform living spaces to make them cozier and more welcoming. If you have that magic touch and find joy in transforming spaces, then you’ll be glad to know that’s one of the hobbies that can make money for you.

Thanks to platforms like Airbnb, turning your hobby into cold, hard cash has never been easier. Trust me when I say that it’s one of the most rewarding side hustles out there.

When my husband and I decided we wanted to be landlords, we had a lot of fun turning our first rental property into a safe haven for anyone who enters. Not to boast or anything, but I think we did a really great job because we were able to attract top-notch tenants. Who knew renovations could be so satisfying?

But contrary to what many people think, making money with Airbnb isn’t all that easy! There’s a lot more to it than we think. Managing bookings, coordinating check-ins and check-outs, cleaning and maintaining the property, and handling guest inquiries and issues are just a few of the tasks you have to do.

Don’t let that discourage you, though. With the right approach, this profitable hobby can be very rewarding. You’ll not only get a steady stream of income, but you will also have the opportunity to meet different kinds of people with whom you can share stories and create memories.

8. Reselling vintage or collectible items

Did you ever keep all your Happy Meal toys from when you were a kid? Remember your old Barbies or Polly Pockets? Would you believe me if I told you that all of these could be worth a fortune now?

Just take a look at this Pleasanton man who collected around half a million worth of toys over the years! Thanks to his hobby, he was able to gather enough money for his medical bills. It’s amazing what a collection of vintage toys can turn into!

Not many people would look at old things and think that they’re worth anything. But the truth is, what may not be valuable to us is worth a lot to other people.

Those limited-edition sneakers you haven’t looked at in a long time could be worth a fortune, too! You can sell shoes for cash, as well as vintage video games, comic books, and even antique furniture. If you don’t think you have those kinds of items, you can try looking at the free stuff you find online and turn them into extra cash.

So, think twice about tossing out those “ordinary” items. After all, there are so many places to sell your vintage and collectible items to eager buyers. Online marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, and Depop are popular choices for selling your vintage collections.

9. Online Gamer

240 million. That’s how many active users the online streaming platform, Twitch, has. That means that there’s a big audience out there eager for gaming content, and if you have the skills or knowledge to entertain or educate them, you could start making money with video games.

Are you a master at speed-running classic games? Or do you just want to share your gaming adventures with others? Regardless, you have a lot of opportunities in the online gaming industry waiting for you.

With platforms like Twitch and YouTube, you can stream your gameplay to people interested in games like you. Once you build a solid following, earning income becomes possible through subscriptions, donations, and sponsorships.

Keep in mind that earning money as an online streamer doesn’t happen overnight. You need to put in the time and dedication to grow your audience. Remember: consistency is key. As people start recognizing your dedication and unique gaming style, it becomes easier to bring in viewers who appreciate your content.

Don’t limit yourself to just streaming, though. Some people aren’t too fond of showing how they play with people they don’t know, but that doesn’t mean they can’t earn from their hobby anymore. You can try your hand at becoming a gaming blogger, or game tester. If you have the skills for it, you can even develop your own games!

Online gaming is undoubtedly one of the top hobbies that can make you money, so why not press play on this adventure?

10. YouTuber

Some people are born to be in front of the camera. Their charisma and passion for storytelling just scream, “You have no choice but to tune in and watch me!” I’m sure you feel that whenever you watch your favorite YouTubers.

These born entertainers have a knack for captivating audiences and keeping them glued to their screens, and if that description sounds anything like you, then maybe this is your sign to start a profitable YouTube channel.

With over 2 billion active users every month, you have a massive potential audience just waiting to discover your content. Whether you’re passionate about cooking, fashion, or travel, there will be people out there who are always on the hunt for your kind of content.

But becoming a YouTuber is more than just consistently creating content. Maybe a lot of people think that YouTubers have it easy, but there’s a lot of work that happens behind the scenes.

You have to brainstorm ideas, film, edit, and promote your content, all while continuously learning and adapting to the constant changes happening with the algorithm. There’s a lot of dedication and creativity required to thrive on YouTube.

The rewards, however, are more than worth the effort. Not only do you have the opportunity to share your passions and talents with the world, but you also have the potential to earn a substantial income doing what you love.

This all sounds like exciting work! But I personally lean towards starting a profitable blog because it’s a great option for those who want to share what they love but are camera-shy.

11. Become an Online Friend

In the digital age, companionship has a new frontier: online friendships.

It’s true, you can make money and get paid to become an online friend!

This unique hobby can become a rewarding income source for those who enjoy meeting new people and have excellent communication skills.

Websites like RentAFriend offer a platform where individuals can get paid for their companionship and interaction. People around the world are seeking companions for virtual events, language practice, or just a friendly chat. Just like any online venture, establishing trust and credibility is crucial.

My advice is to be genuine, considerate, and professional in all interactions. Being an online friend isn’t just about earning; it’s also about making a positive impact on someone’s life while enjoying the beauty of diverse human connections.

12. Profitable Fitness Hobbies

After a stressful day of work, do you like to clear your mind and relax by attending yoga classes or virtual sessions at home?

Perhaps going for a short run outside or on the treadmill is your go-to stress reliever. Whatever it is, you love being active and will always find time to do it no matter how busy your schedule is.

A very popular way to earn money with this positive hobby of yours is to become an online influencer!

You can share your workout routine, nutrition plans, or daily lifestyle with your loyal followers on various social media platforms, like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, or your own fitness blog.

You’re probably sitting there thinking, “I’m not an expert, why would anyone want to follow me?”

Don’t sweat it!

You see, you don’t need to be an expert to gain subscribers to your channel and readers to your blog.

Followers aren’t always looking for expert advice, they simply want to learn from someone that they can relate to and understand their struggles! There are plenty of inspirational weight-loss stories that people share online to help motivate each other.

Think about the people you follow online. Are they all experts, or are some everyday people like you and me?

So no, you don’t need to know everything about a topic to teach others about it. It can be your story and your personal journey.

Now, if you like interacting with people and motivating others in person, then you should consider becoming a fitness trainer, yoga/spin class instructor, or referee for a sport you love. You can also coach younger kids how to play a sport you’re great at!

13. Writing Hobby to Make Extra Cash

Most people know how to write, but not everyone can write well.

The ability to connect with and speak to readers is an art that is highly sought after in today’s world filled with content. Readers just can’t get enough of content and are hungry for more!

One of the ways to cash in on your writing hobby is to start as a freelance writer.

The main benefit of being a freelance writer is that you have the freedom to set your schedule and work from home, as long as you get the job done.

If you think freelance work is dead, then you’re dead wrong. The freelance job market is picking up steam as employers finally start to embrace remote work. Due to the global pandemic, companies have no choice and are forced to adopt a flexible workforce where employees can work safely at home.

There are all sorts of work available to freelance writers. Here’s a short list of the types of jobs you can expect freelancers to work on.

Blog posts
Websites (e.g. sales and product pages)
Newspaper articles
Email newsletters
Magazine articles
Editing
Ghostwriting

You don’t need to stretch yourself thin by doing a bit of everything. The important thing is to focus your efforts on the activities that you enjoy the most. It won’t be a hobby anymore if you start disliking what you’re doing!

To find freelance work, the first place to start is usually online job boards, like Upwork, FlexJobs, or Fiverr. You can browse around to see which sort of freelance writing work companies are looking to hire.

However, keep in mind that the most lucrative writing jobs are found through referrals so don’t be afraid to ask your clients if they know anyone who is looking for writers.

14. Get Paid to Tutor in Your Spare Time

One of the most lucrative hobbies you can earn money with is tutoring!

This shouldn’t surprise you because parents are willing to pay big bucks to find tutors to help their kids catch up with school or get ahead of the class.

Tutors are extremely in demand as the competition to enter college and university gets fiercer each year.

If you’ve got straight A’s in school and you have a talent for explaining complicated concepts in an easy-to-understand manner, then you’re set to go!

The best way to start tutoring is through referrals.

Don’t be afraid to ask your friends, relatives, or co-workers if they know anyone that are hiring tutors for their kids. As you gain experience tutoring, you can increase the rate you charge from $30 per hour to $40-$50 per hour.

Another alternative to making money tutoring is by listing your tutoring services online at Chegg. Aside from Chegg, there are so many more online tutoring jobs available for you to take part in.

If you like tutoring or teaching kids, then you’re going to love this side hustle!

15. Make Money with Photography

When it comes to taking photos, my dad is exceptionally skilled at taking THE WORST pictures ever.

The images are dim, the angles are terrible, and someone looks like they’re about to go to sleep!

Photography is not as simple as point-and-shoot. It takes real skills.

So, if you have the talent to tell stories with images, take stunning scenic photos, or capture someone’s essence, then making money with photography is absolutely possible.

You can start making extra money off your photos by selling them online at FOAP, Shutterstock, and Alamy. You’ll get paid every time someone makes a purchase of your photos.

It’s not easy to earn a lot right away, but it’s a passive way to pocket some spending money!

Another way for you to profit from this hobby is to seek out local businesses that lack high-quality photos for their business and offer your services to them. How many times have you encountered pictures of food menus that don’t look appetizing, products that aren’t presented in the best light, or faces that don’t look excited at all?

If you think that you can take better photos than the ones you see in public, then there’s an opportunity for you to earn money!

For those of you who want to break into this industry and make a living out of photography, it’s a good idea to begin your journey and gain shooting experience by being an assistant to professional photographers or as a second shooter.

This allows you to learn the ropes from experts in the field and, at the same time, helps you build your professional network.

Keep shooting and keep improving!

16. Organizing things

Organizing may be a hobby for you, but did you know it can also be a lucrative side hustle?

If you’re someone who’s obsessed with organizing, offering closet organization services could be the perfect money-making opportunity. Many people, including myself, feel overwhelmed by clutter and disorganization in their closets and are willing to pay someone to bring order to the chaos.

As a professional closet organizer, you can work with clients to declutter their spaces, help them find practical and aesthetic storage solutions, and create a more functional and organized closet space.

You can offer advice on wardrobe choices, categorizing items, maximizing space utilization, and maintaining the organization long-term.

On top of providing a valuable service, you’ll have the satisfaction of transforming a stressful, messy closet into a streamlined, functional, and enjoyable space. Your passion for organization can bring calm and order to others’ lives, all while generating extra income for you as a hobby.

17. Watch Movies

I love watching movies to unwind and relax after a long day of work. There’s just something so satisfying about getting lost in a story that’s unfolding in front of your eyes. So imagine how amazed I was when I found out that you can make money watching your favorite Netflix shows and movies!

Yes, you read that right! Watching movies is now more than just a hobby. It can be a lucrative side hustle.

A great way to make money by watching movies is by starting your own movie review blog or podcast. With these, you have your own space to share your thoughts and opinions about the films you watch. You can focus on the latest releases, classic films, or even “unknown” movies.

Since a blog or podcast is your own space, there’s no limit to how you express your views. The creative freedom is all yours!

Some people prefer not to manage their own blog or podcast, because let’s admit it, it’s a lot of work. If you relate to that, you can try becoming a Netflix Tagger. As a tagger, you get to watch and categorize movies for the platform. This helps them improve their recommendations for their users, making the viewing experience better.

If you ask me, I think that’s a dream come true for movie lovers! But opportunities like this aren’t always easy to come by, which means you have to be on the lookout for the job.

Surprisingly, those aren’t all the ways to earn from this hobby. You can also write for film publications or start your own movie-themed merchandise shop! As long as you think outside the box, you can create opportunities for you to make money with your hobby.

So next time you’re binge-watching your favorite show, think about all the ways you could be earning from that instead!

Final Words on Hobbies That Make Money

The hobbies above are just a sample of the opportunities out there. There are so many hobbies and so many ways for you to earn money with them.

You like to sing your heart out? Make your own YouTube channel to entertain others.

You like to read in your free time? Try proofreading jobs that pay you to catch grammar mistakes.

You like crafting because it allows you to bring your imagination to life? Post your artwork and masterpiece online for sale.

It doesn’t really matter what your hobbies are, what truly matters is how can you use your hobbies and interests to solve someone’s problem.

Don’t forget to have fun making money with your hobbies, otherwise, it’ll just be another job.

Are you making money with an interesting hobby? Share your ideas with us in the comments below.