Having a hobby offers many benefits that contribute to your overall well-being and quality of life. Hobbies don’t only stimulate your creative side, but they also improve focus, alleviate stress, and increase overall life satisfaction.

If you’re looking for a new hobby, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled a list of the best affordable or free hobby ideas that offer both enjoyment and the potential for extra income.

Find the right hobby for you, and you’ll never work a day in your life again!

Arts and crafts

Enjoy rolling up your sleeves and working with your hands?

Arts and crafts is a fun hobby with countless things to make and sell, and depending on the materials you choose, this hobby can be quite cheap!

Handmade crafts offer a quality and uniqueness that high-street stores can’t compete with. And if done right, you’ll have people queueing around the block!

Jewellery Making

Competing with big-name jewellery brands might seem unfathomable, but handcrafted jewellery is serious business.

Handmade jewellery is consistently one of the top sellers for online shops like Etsy. And don’t limit yourself to well-known materials like beads, silver, or gold — let your imagination run wild and explore other materials that aren’t so common, like we did at Bolt!

Crochet

If you crochet, you probably already have an assortment of hats, scarves, blankets, and bags scattered around your house.

The easiest way to profit from crocheting is by selling your finished products online through Facebook or Etsy. Personalised, made-to-order items are a unique addition for which customers are happy to pay extra!

knitting as a money-making hobby

Animal lovers

If you’re the type to say hi to every dog in your local park or struggle to get comfy without your feline friend snuggled up next to you, there are many ways your animal-loving self can make some quick cash.

Pet sitting

Pet sitting is one of the most common ways for pet lovers to earn money.

Cats, dogs, rabbits, chinchillas, and almost any type of pet must be looked after when their owners are away.

You can host pets at your home or stop by the owner’s home to check up on their companion. People care a lot about their pets and shed big sums of money to ensure they get the best possible care.

Dog walking

Most dog owners know regular walks are necessary for their furry friend’s physical and mental health. But dog walking can be a chore that few enjoy or find the time to do.

That’s where you come in! People are always on the lookout for a dependable dog walker. And with many dog owners returning to the office after an extended period of working from home, now’s a great time to get started!

dog walking as a money-making hobby

And if you’re thinking about a refreshing stroll in the great outdoors, request a Bolt ride and bring your furry companion along for some quality time!

Photography

While photography may require an initial investment in quality equipment, it can be a lucrative hobby for those with a talent for capturing special moments or a passion for picture-taking.

All you need is a decent camera to get out and start snapping, a good eye for photography to compose aesthetically pleasing photos, and some marketing knowledge to promote your services.

Once you’ve learned the tricks of the trade, there are a few ways to generate money.

Capture events

Graduations, weddings, and newborns are some of life’s special occasions that require a photographer.

The easiest way to kickstart your photography career is to contact friends and family. And as your portfolio grows, so will your experience and client list.

Photography is a hobby that can go from 0 to 100 extremely fast — before you know it, you can increase your rates!

Stock photos and prints

An alternative to photographing events is selling your images as prints or online on websites such as Shutterstock and Adobe Stock.

High-quality stock images are always in demand, and selling prints to locals can be a profitable side hustle.

Gardening and landscaping

Ever considered that your green thumb could grow some extra green?

Gardening is well known for making you happier and healthier, but few recognise it can make you richer, too!

Making a side income from your garden isn’t too difficult, and there are many ways to do it.

Sell seedlings and produce

Many people like the thought of harvesting their own produce in summer but need help to get started.

Selling seedlings for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and herbs is a surefire way to attract casual gardeners. Even better, seedlings grow incredibly fast and don’t occupy much space.

Spread the word about your seedlings on community group pages for maximum exposure!

If you’re a more advanced gardener with plenty of space, you could sell freshly harvested produce from your doorstep. Nothing compares to fruit and veggies picked straight from the garden!

grow and sell seedlings and produce

Propagate houseplants

The houseplant craze is still well and truly alive! A National Gardening Association survey found that American gardeners spent $52.3 billion on lawn and garden goods in 2021.

You can sell cuttings or entire plants by learning to propagate houseplants (especially more obscure species) for decent money!

Landscape design

If you have a knack for design and a good understanding of plants and outdoor spaces, you can offer homeowners and businesses landscape design and consultation services.

You can create landscape plans, recommend plants, and suggest layout improvements.

Lawn maintenance is a significant aspect of landscaping. Offering lawn care services, such as mowing, fertilising, and aerating, can also be profitable.

Landscape design

If you have a knack for design and a good understanding of plants and outdoor spaces, you can offer homeowners and businesses landscape design and consultation services.

You can create landscape plans, recommend plants, and suggest layout improvements.

Lawn maintenance is a significant aspect of landscaping. Offering lawn care services, such as mowing, fertilising, and aerating, can also be profitable.

Teaching or tutoring

If you have knowledge in a particular subject or skill, you can offer tutoring or teaching services — whether in person or online.

Language tutoring

If you’re proficient in multiple languages, you can offer personalised language tutoring or conversational practice to individuals or small groups.

Whether someone needs help with grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, or conversation practice, your services can have a significant impact. So, put your skills to use and monetise your language abilities!

Music lessons

If you can play an instrument or sing, consider offering music lessons. You can provide private or group lessons in person or online.

Online platforms such as Skype and Zoom have made it possible for people from all over the world to access lessons.

Additional cheap and easy hobby ideas

Personal styling or wardrobe consulting

You can offer personal styling or wardrobe consulting services if you have a strong sense of style.

By providing exceptional styling advice and guidance, you can help your clients look and feel their absolute best.

House cleaning or organising

If you’re a neat freak, you can offer house cleaning or organising services for individuals who need help decluttering.

Or, you could declutter your space and sell any clothes, accessories, or furniture for extra cash. Just make sure the items you put on sale are clean and in good condition.

Social media management

Nowadays, having an online presence is crucial for all businesses. But not all of them have the resources or expertise to manage social media.

If you’re knowledgeable about social media platforms, you can provide social media management services to businesses seeking to enhance their online presence.

Freelance writing or blogging

Like social media management, many brands can benefit from creating long-form content for their websites. But, writing great pieces of content requires time and effort.

If you enjoy writing, you can offer your services as a freelance writer for blogs and websites or even create your own blog and monetise it through advertising and affiliate marketing.

freelance writer, blogger and social media manager

Driving

Do you find nothing more relaxing than getting behind the wheel and exploring town? Instead of driving around aimlessly, you can give your drives some purpose by becoming a Bolt Partner.

Sign up with Bolt, and you can drive people to their destinations and pick up extra income while you’re at it.

The best thing? You earn on your schedule with no minimum hours. Simply open the Bolt app and see who needs to go where.

Or, if a car isn’t your thing, you can become a Bolt Food courier with a bicycle or e-scooter.

Whatever inexpensive hobby you choose, we hope it brings you genuine pleasure!

Earn money driving