The average work week for an American is just over 34 hours a week, but most people actually work around 40 or even more every week. That’s a lot of time spend away from your family, focused on something that you may or may not actually consider fun. But, what do you do if you want to make a little extra money on the side and simply don’t have any more time to get a second job, and can’t ask for a raise? Why not turn something you enjoy into some extra cash?
These eight activities (which I’m loosely calling ‘hobbies’ although I suppose they’re really more like interests) are a great way to make a few extra bucks and they can’t possibly be as bad as getting a second job, right? Besides, who wouldn’t want to make money at something they love?
1. Garage sales/Thrift store shopping
If you love hunting for sales and bargains at garage sales or the upscale thrift stores, you can easily turn that into some extra cash by reselling the items you find on eBay or a similar site. I’ve read some articles suggesting that people make an average of more than 200% of what they paid for the items simply by selling collectibles and items online. It’s worth a shot!
2. Blogging
If you’re an avid writer and you’re passionate about something, then why not put it to work for you? Start a blog about something you enjoy doing, and once you build some readers you can monetize it for a little extra cash. It’s not going to be a quick or easy way to make money, so make sure it’s something you really love doing.
3. Craft-making
If you’re one of those people who is really handy or artsy and are used to hearing “will you make me one?” then you should consider opening up an Etsy shop and selling your wares. It takes a bit of know-how, lots of originality, and some patience, but an Etsy shop (or something similar) can be a great source of income for the DIYers out there!
4. Tutoring
Are you really good at explaining things that you care about, or teaching others skills? Why not advertise your services as a tutor! Whether you can play an instrument, are great at art, or can do math really well, many people are willing to pay for you to teach them (or more commonly their children) new skills.
5. Photography
This isn’t going to be a quick way to cash, but if you are good with a camera and have lots of pictures just sitting around, why not make some money with it? There are plenty of stock image sites that will pay artists for their images and while you’ll have to have a lot of pictures to make any real money, any extra made on a hobby is good.
6. Pet sitting/Dog walking
If you love animals, then why not try your hand at pet sitting or dog walking? It takes a very special sort of person to handle having another dog on their home, but if you are able to provide an animal with a safe and happy board, then you’ll be amazed at how many people will sign up for it! If you’re unsure if it’s going to work, then why not just try dog walking and take some of the neighborhood pooches for a stroll for a little extra cash?
7. Refereeing/Umpiring
If you really love a sport, why not become a referee or umpire? Even if you can’t play the sport yourself any longer, referees and umpires have a very important role in the game, and it can be a really fun way to stay involved. To become an official umpire or referee, you’ll probably have to take a class or become certified, but it can really pay off in the end, depending on what kinds of games you referee.
8. Gardening
If you love being outside or already have a garden, then you can easily make money on it by renting out a space at your local farmer’s market and selling plants or produce that you grow. The best part is that, aside from the initial investment in the plants and the space, it’s relatively inexpensive and has little risk. Plus, the results of gardening can be delicious.
Do you have a hobby that puts a little extra cash in your pocket? Tell me about it in the comments below!