Hobbies That Pay Off
What if your favorite hobby could also provide you with real income? Whether you’re looking to grow your savings, pay down debt, or set aside extra cash for a vacation, here are a few hobbies that could help you move toward financial freedom.
Photography is an exciting skill that can become a source of side income. Stock photography platforms allow hobbyists to upload their snapshots and earn royalties when their images are downloaded. Photographers can also expand into local gigs and photoshoot sessions, such as events, graduations, or engagements. Social media platforms make it easy to showcase your work and connect with potential clients. Finally, for a small fee, you can enter your images into a photography contest and potentially win big! For example, some contests charge a $20 fee for an entry and pay out as much as $2,000 to the winner! With just a camera, some skill, and a creative vision, a hobby photographer could start making money from their work relatively quickly! If you enjoy taking pictures, you may be able to transform your hobby into a successful photography side gig.
Gardening is another rewarding hobby that can yield savings. Growing your produce can decrease grocery expenses and improve your meals. According to the National Gardening Association, the average garden costs $70 in initial costs with around $600 in returns! Crops like tomatoes, pole beans, and cucumbers are high-yield crops that are relatively easy to grow, making them great choices for beginners. Additionally, crops like tomatoes can be expensive at the supermarket, but a cheap packet of seeds plus water, fertilizer, and pest repellent could yield up to 30 pounds of tomatoes for less money. For those with larger gardens, surplus vegetables can be frozen or canned to save for later or to give away as an inexpensive and thoughtful gift. For those looking to trim down their expenses and spend more time outside, gardening could be the hobby for you.
Metal detection is a modern hobby with potential for big earnings. With a metal detector, you can sweep through public parks, beaches, and backyards to find dropped valuables such as jewelry or vintage coins. When the metal detector starts beeping, who knows what goods will turn up! If you find something valuable, you can add it to a personal collection or sell it. Additionally, some hobbyists offer recovery services – helping others locate lost valuables for a finder’s fee. It is important to seek permission and inform yourself on local and state laws around detecting metal before you get started. With those considerations, just one rare item could make the hobby worth it. Time to get detecting!
Thrifting is a fun and frugal way to shop for clothes, books, and trinkets. By scouting thrift shops, estate sales, or garage sales, you can round out your wardrobe or line your shelves on a budget. Informal polls indicate that many dedicated thrifters can earn more than $1000 a month. Additionally, with a keen eye, you may be able to spot undervalued items, like vintage shoes, baseball cards, or electronics. For example, you may stumble upon a pair of antique sneakers from the 70s for $50 at a garage sale, only to discover they can sell for $500 online! Buying undervalued finds and relisting them – known as “flipping” - can be a clever way to make some extra cash. If you enjoy hunting for hidden gems, thrifting and flipping can be a financially rewarding hobby with surprises behind every tag.
Woodworking is a hands-on hobby that requires creativity and construction. With a large shop and a variety of tools, you could make stunning furniture for your home or a client’s. However, if all you have is a carving knife, you could still whittle necklaces, charms, and other small pieces with breathtaking detail. Many artists will repurpose old bits of scrap wood into amazing works, like cutting boards or home ornaments. Though woodworking requires high overhead spending, the hobby can net you $1,500 a month when done well. Regardless of the scale of your operation, skill and passion could make your crafts a big hit at local fairs, farmer markets, or online platforms.
No matter your interest or experience level, there’s likely a hobby that aligns with your passions and financial goals. Turning your free time into earnings is a smart step toward financial freedom. As revenue rolls in, C&N’s MoneyManager online banking tool can help you track your progress. MoneyManager allows you to categorize your transactions, visualize your net worth, and monitor your budgets. If you plan on dipping your toes into a new activity, use MoneyManager to track how your new hobby is paying off.
Photography
Photography is an exciting skill that can become a source of side income. Stock photography platforms allow hobbyists to upload their snapshots and earn royalties when their images are downloaded. Photographers can also expand into local gigs and photoshoot sessions, such as events, graduations, or engagements. Social media platforms make it easy to showcase your work and connect with potential clients. Finally, for a small fee, you can enter your images into a photography contest and potentially win big! For example, some contests charge a $20 fee for an entry and pay out as much as $2,000 to the winner! With just a camera, some skill, and a creative vision, a hobby photographer could start making money from their work relatively quickly! If you enjoy taking pictures, you may be able to transform your hobby into a successful photography side gig.
Gardening
Gardening is another rewarding hobby that can yield savings. Growing your produce can decrease grocery expenses and improve your meals. According to the National Gardening Association, the average garden costs $70 in initial costs with around $600 in returns! Crops like tomatoes, pole beans, and cucumbers are high-yield crops that are relatively easy to grow, making them great choices for beginners. Additionally, crops like tomatoes can be expensive at the supermarket, but a cheap packet of seeds plus water, fertilizer, and pest repellent could yield up to 30 pounds of tomatoes for less money. For those with larger gardens, surplus vegetables can be frozen or canned to save for later or to give away as an inexpensive and thoughtful gift. For those looking to trim down their expenses and spend more time outside, gardening could be the hobby for you.
Metal Detecting
Metal detection is a modern hobby with potential for big earnings. With a metal detector, you can sweep through public parks, beaches, and backyards to find dropped valuables such as jewelry or vintage coins. When the metal detector starts beeping, who knows what goods will turn up! If you find something valuable, you can add it to a personal collection or sell it. Additionally, some hobbyists offer recovery services – helping others locate lost valuables for a finder’s fee. It is important to seek permission and inform yourself on local and state laws around detecting metal before you get started. With those considerations, just one rare item could make the hobby worth it. Time to get detecting!
Thrifting & Flipping
Thrifting is a fun and frugal way to shop for clothes, books, and trinkets. By scouting thrift shops, estate sales, or garage sales, you can round out your wardrobe or line your shelves on a budget. Informal polls indicate that many dedicated thrifters can earn more than $1000 a month. Additionally, with a keen eye, you may be able to spot undervalued items, like vintage shoes, baseball cards, or electronics. For example, you may stumble upon a pair of antique sneakers from the 70s for $50 at a garage sale, only to discover they can sell for $500 online! Buying undervalued finds and relisting them – known as “flipping” - can be a clever way to make some extra cash. If you enjoy hunting for hidden gems, thrifting and flipping can be a financially rewarding hobby with surprises behind every tag.
Woodworking
Woodworking is a hands-on hobby that requires creativity and construction. With a large shop and a variety of tools, you could make stunning furniture for your home or a client’s. However, if all you have is a carving knife, you could still whittle necklaces, charms, and other small pieces with breathtaking detail. Many artists will repurpose old bits of scrap wood into amazing works, like cutting boards or home ornaments. Though woodworking requires high overhead spending, the hobby can net you $1,500 a month when done well. Regardless of the scale of your operation, skill and passion could make your crafts a big hit at local fairs, farmer markets, or online platforms. No matter your interest or experience level, there’s likely a hobby that aligns with your passions and financial goals. Turning your free time into earnings is a smart step toward financial freedom. As revenue rolls in, C&N’s MoneyManager online banking tool can help you track your progress. MoneyManager allows you to categorize your transactions, visualize your net worth, and monitor your budgets. If you plan on dipping your toes into a new activity, use MoneyManager to track how your new hobby is paying off.