As you know, one of my major goals this year is to cut costs in an attempt to pay down my mortgage. One of the easiest ways to do that is to make a little extra money doing something I already love to do, essentially turning my hobby into cash.
One of my favorite past times is hooking rugs. So my plan is to turn the wool stash in my craft closet into $5,000 and use that money towards my goal. I’ll sell my one of a kind hooked rugs on Etsy and eBay throughout the year. It might be pretty hard to reach the $5,000 goal, but I’m certainly going to get to hooking and try.
I know we all have things we enjoy and are good at, so if you are looking for a way to generate a little extra cash this year, why not put those hobbies to work. Here are some great hobbies that have potential to generate a good side income:
Crafting: Just like my love of rug hooking, a love of crafting can churn out some great sellable items. And since you’d do it anyway, makes sense to get a little cash from that pottery, those cute vinyl signs, or that hand-crafted jewelry.
Writing: I had a friend growing up who, since I can remember, would make up the most imaginative stories. I always wondered when she’d write a children’s book because it was such a natural gift for her. If you share that love of storytelling, why not put pen to paper and see if you could make a little money doing it? With online self publishing becoming such a common trend, there’s very little financial risk and a lot of potential financial gain.
Photography: Do you always find yourself behind the camera? Do you love capturing life’s little moments? Take that love and turn it into cash. Maybe start offering to take family portraits or try framing and selling your best shots.
Handmade Postage Stamp Quilt by ZoeDawn
Sewing: This one is broad. If you are a skilled seamstress, you can alter and hem clothes for profit, or you can take custom orders. Or you could even simply sew cute outfits or pillows or whatever your heart desires and open an Etsy shop.
Graphic/Web Design: In today’s digital age, if you have a love for graphic design, you have a marketable skill. You don’t even need to have a degree. If you produce high-quality work, you can sell your talents. Start a side business, do small for-hire projects or simply whip up some fun logos on Fiver.
Tutoring: If there is a subject you are passionate about, maybe helping others find that passion could make you some money. Math, reading and science tutors are in high demand. Might take a bit of patience, but your skill could really be life changing for someone else. Not too shabby for something you love doing anyway, right?
Computers: I think we’d be hard pressed to find an adult without a computer of some sort. All those computers will need fixing at some point. If that’s a hobby of yours, throw an ad up on Craigslist and start charging for it. I’m always in need of someone to provide tech support, to help when we upgrade our system or to even do some basic repairs. I have no desire to lug it to a shop. I’d much rather have someone skilled come to me or even guide me through it online.
Handyman: Do you love tinkering with the washing machine? Taking apart the toaster? Rewiring the TV? If that’s what you do for fun, you have skills that so many people would pay you for. If you are a jack of all trades, a fixer of things, you can earn some serious cash. It doesn’t even take much marketing. Just throw a post up on Facebook with your rates. Some money in your pocket for doing what you enjoy. Seems awesome to me.
What hobbies do you have that you think could make you some money? Have you ever turned something you love into a side business?
~Mavis
Veronica says
So I just filed my taxes and am wondering how a for-profit-hobby alters your income tax.
Donna says
I’ve wondered that too. Also, profits from the blog.
Emily E. says
This may not be very helpful, but a little past research told me any earnings would have to be recorded and reported. A friend of mine had a very successful ebay store and she stressed the importance of keeping really good records so you were organized when tax time came around. She tracked her expenses and sales very closely. She basically worked two full time jobs, but made an extra $20,000 a year which was great for paying for home repairs and eliminating debt.
Lisa Millar says
I can weigh in on the photography bit. (for those that are interested)
It can be quite difficult to sell framed images of photographs – I ran a retail shop that had a gallery for a long time and it was amazing how people would admire a photographic image but inevitably buy a mass produced framed poster instead!! (Something about “I have a camera so I could do that myself!!”)
Its not cheap to properly frame an image, so its an investment to consider if you are hoping to sell it. Having your images out there in some way for people to see and then pre order (hear me – pre pay too!!) a framed image is a good way to go there.
Smaller items like greeting cards were a lot more successful and those have sold well for me in the past – def. hobby money, not live on wage money. Other items that are useful rather than simply decorative are an attractive thing for buyers – calendars or diaries. There are some good websites out there that can print up your work.
I have done various photographic work – family portraits and weddings. Its good to start small (ie I could possibly NOT recommend you jump in and do someone’s wedding as a first paid job!! Oh the stress!!) The first wedding I shot was a lovely older couple who had a low key wedding – it was a second wedding for them both. They simply wanted some nice photos to record the day, not a glam shoot worthy of a 10K Sydney photographer! It was a good place to start getting some experience!
Friends and family’s birthdays, events & portraits (as Mavis suggested) etc are all good starting points.
Now that we are not shooting film there are a couple of things you need to do with your files – learn how to post process your images. Get your colour right – especially for portraits. This was a job usually done by your film processor. Now we have to do it ourselves and few people do, or know how to. Also get an external hard drive to back up your images and store them in a way that’s easy to navigate later.
Also find a shop that prints on true photographic paper (using a wet chemical process and light sensitive paper – not a process that prints on top of the paper)(huge quality and lasting difference) Also make sure the shop prints your colour/density and contrast well. It will make a huge difference in how your work sells
I have made some decent money from photography over the years, but it has always been more an ‘on the side’ hobby job rather than trying to make a living off it.
If you are handy with a camera, then its a great idea to give it a go.
Have fun! 🙂
Emily E. says
Mavis, your hooked rugs are lovely! I always enjoy seeing them on your blog. I do not make near the income you do from your hobby, but I grow hardshell gourds, dry them and then make a variety of crafts out of them, especially birdhouse, planters, fairy houses, and decorative lanterns. I really enjoy painting and staining them to bring out the natural variations like wood. They really are so naturally beautiful. I too have a little Etsy shop and usually use my “earnings” for seed money or for new plants I want that I can’t usually see at plant sales. I also divide my plants and will sell them for a very reasonable price in the summer. I’ve recently taken up crocheting and am loving it! Needless to say,Christmas gifts will be of the crocheted variety this year! lol I love making things from nature and it’s very relaxing and fulfilling at the same time.
Cody says
What’s your etsy store name?
Emily E. says
Sorry, I am just now seeing this! The name of my Etsy store is TheTrugandTrowel. It’s a fun creative outlet!