We’re all told that the key to happiness is doing what you love. And there’s no reason why you can’t make money from your favourite hobby.
It might sound like a pipe dream that only a lucky few manage, but you can earn a healthy extra income doing just about anything with the right mindset! Whether you’re an avid hiker, a dog lover, or can’t go a day without doing something creative, you can make extra money doing what you love.
Read on as we explore the top low-cost money-making hobbies. Choose the right hobby for you, and you’ll never work a day in your life again!
Arts & Crafts
Enjoy rolling up your sleeves and working with your hands?
Arts and crafts is a fun hobby that includes countless things to make and sell. 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. Whether beaded or luxury silver and gold, you can create high-end jewellery using online supplies and have tons of fun while you’re at it.
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 that customers are happy to pay extra for!
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 need looking 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 they shed big sums of money to ensure they get the best possible care.
Dog walking
Most dog owners know that regular walks are a must 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!
Photography
Photography is a real money-maker if you have a knack for capturing special moments or simply love taking pictures.
All you need is a decent camera to get out and start snapping!
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 reach out to 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’ll be able to 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
Ever considered that your green thumb could grow some extra green?
Gardening is well known for making you happier and healthier, but few recognise that it can make you richer, too!
Making a side income from your garden isn’t too difficult, and there are many ways to go about it.
Sell seedlings and produce
Many people like the thought of harvesting their own produce in summer but struggle to get started.
Selling seedlings for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and herbs is a sure-fire way to attract casual gardeners. Even better is that seedlings grow incredibly fast and don’t take up 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!
By learning to propagate houseplants (especially more obscure species), you can sell cuttings or entire plants for decent money!
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 driver.
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 is that you work on your schedule, with no minimum hours. Whenever you get the urge to explore, 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 an e-scooter.
Whichever option you choose, sign up today and start making extra money!