Need To Add More Cash To Your Budget? Here Are 5 Hobbies That Can Help You Make Money

If you’re in the market for a new gig — or your budget is in desperate need of a cash flow — you could try monetizing one of your hobbies. Even if the goal isn’t to build a full enterprise, raking in a little extra spending money from something you’d normally do for free could be a win-win.

How can I monetize my hobbies?

The possibilities are (almost) endless. First, think of a hobby that you enjoy…a lot. Because if you're going to turn this into a side hustle, you're probably going to spend a lot more time on this activity. Then, come up with a plan. Do you enjoy teaching people new things? Start a class. Does selling your own creations sound more appealing? Build an online storefront.

To help you get the ball rolling, we ranked a few side hustles from least to most expensive in upfront costs, to help you weigh your options.

Writing

Yes, traditional blogging is still a thing in 2023 (less Xanga, more Substack) — and it doesn’t require much overhead to get started. Be the Budget says $100 to $250 is enough to cover the costs of creating your website. An additional $25 is a good amount for purchasing blogging tools you might need, like site plugins. You might also want to consider taking a few SEO lessons, too, to help your blog posts popup when people Google search the  topic you’re covering. Remember to be patient with your new blog — growing an audience and monetizing off your site can take some time. 

That said, even if you don’t have enough room in your budget to cover the cost of running a blog or newsletter, you can start freelancing in your downtime. All you need is access to a computer. The key to success: Find your area of expertise, and start writing or pitching outlets consistently. 

Thrifting

If nothing brings you joy like showing off your latest thrift shop find, this side hustle is for you. An online storefront is a great place to start showcasing and selling your unique finds. Bonus points if you love DIY home decor. In that case, you could combine your interests by purchasing decor (or furniture) at a low price, and then refurbish the items before you sell them for a much higher price. Example: With a little sanding and painting, you could sell a $5 end table from Goodwill for $150. Here’s how one TikToker does it:

Cooking

If you’re prepared to cook big batches of your favorite food or treats, you could sell them. That’s exactly how Dwight Witherspoon, owner of Just Spoon’s Cafe, started. Making dessert jars was just a hobby for him…until Jay-Z discovered him on Instagram and asked him to cater an event. That’s when he knew it could be more. Pretty soon, his Instagram went from pretty dessert pics to booming dessert sales. If you’re starting small, a few hundred dollars could be enough to add a link in your bio where customers can place orders. But if you’re thinking more along the lines of a restaurant, be prepared to invest thousands of dollars before you can open for business. 

If sales isn’t for you, there are other ways to go. Since the pandemic started, sites like Skillshare and AirBnb have made it easy to teach online for around $30 per class. So teaching virtual cooking classes could be the move for you.

Photography

Are you the friend everyone calls on to take pics of them for Insta? Put those skills to good use. If you don’t have your equipment yet, this hobby can be a bit pricey to begin. A good camera can cost thousands of dollars, and start-up costs can be even higher if you decide to take photography classes before you open for business.

Are you the friend everyone calls on to take pics of them for Insta? Put those skills to good use. If you don’t have your equipment yet, this hobby can be a bit pricey to begin. A good camera can cost thousands of dollars, and start-up costs can be even higher if you decide to take photography classes before you open for business. 

Don’t let those expenses deter you: Chances are, you can get a good return on your investment. Whether you focus on wedding photography or stock photos, you can charge thousands of dollars per event. Not bad for a side hustle.

Working out

If a 5am workout is your love language, it can definitely be transformed into a lucrative side hustle. Just ask personal trainer and fitness influencer Walter Kemp. “I knew fitness could be more than a hobby for me when Obé Fitness offered me a position after coming across a fitness video I posted on Instagram,” he says. His advice? Try training your friends and family for free or a low fee at first, and then start sharing your passion on social media if it’s a good fit for you. 

Like the other hobbies we mentioned, there are some costs associated with this potential side gig. Industry experts say you should earn a few certificates and invest in good quality equipment before you go pro. While certification isn’t necessarily a requirement to start training others, Kemp agrees the $1,000- $1,500 you’ll be forking out upfront is worth it in the long run. “You have to understand the body in order to change it,” Kemp says. For beginners, he suggests  NASM personal training certificates.

theSkimm

If you could use a little extra cash to boost your savings or your budget, tapping into your hobbies is a great way to make some money. You’ll have fun while you work — and, in most cases, you can keep your schedule flexible. No burnout required.