21 Inspiring Hobbies that Make Money in 2025

Did you know that there are lots of creative hobbies that make money?

Over four years ago, it never entered my mind that I could turn one of my hobbies into a thriving business. I am so thankful that now I do what I love doing the most and I also get paid for it. 

More importantly, I have full control of my time, I can work on my own schedule, and still have time for my family.

It sure does take a lot of hard work to monetize a passion, but it’s the kind of work that you look forward to doing every day!

Before quitting your job and following what your heart desires though, you might want to find out first what hobbies can make you money today.

Because the truth is, while there are so many creative hobbies that make money, some hobbies probably don’t. However, there is a good chance that you have lucrative hobbies under your belt that you weren’t even aware of.

So, I put together this list of lucrative hobbies. Find out what you love doing that can actually earn an income for you!

This is not your usual post because, in this post, I am also including details on how to monetize these hobbies. So, be sure to bookmark this page or save it to Pinterest so you can easily find your way back to this post when you need it!

10 Best Money-Making Hobbies 

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for purchases made through these links at NO extra cost to you.

1.   Blogging

I put blogging at the top of this list of the best money-making hobbies because I believe it’s something everyone can do.

It’s also one of the very few businesses you can start with very little capital but has a huge ROI (Return on Investment.)

I started this blog over four years ago with zero experience in growing a blog. But, I enjoy writing anyway and helping other people through writing. Little did I know that just a few months later I would start making extra money from this small blog!

Blogging is also so cheap to start at less than $3 per month. You also don’t have to be a great writer to make money from blogging, and you don’t have to be tech-savvy to be able to run a blog.

My favorite thing about blogging is that it allows me to earn semi-passive income. For example, I have posts written years ago that are still making me some money up to this day.

I must admit, though, blogging is not a get-rich-quick scheme. You don’t start a blog today, write a few posts, and expect money to start coming in right away. It’s a long game but it can be very financially rewarding.

You can make money blogging from display advertising, selling your own products, affiliate marketing, brand sponsorship, and more. Your ad revenue will also depend on your blog traffic.

Earning Potential and How to Start Blogging

How much you can earn: How much professional bloggers make varies wildly. You can earn from $1000/ month with a small blog to a million dollars per year with an established blog. Your earnings as a blogger will depend on your niche and monetization strategies. This small blog has been earning six figures a year and has become very passive.

How to get started: Check out my comprehensive guide on how to start a blog and make money. This post will walk you through selecting a niche, the technical side of blogging, how to write your posts, how to make money from your blog as a new blogger, and how to grow your traffic.

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2. Flipping

Do you love finding treasures in garage sales, thrift stores, and flea markets during your free time? You can turn this favorite hobby of yours into an extra income or even a full-time income source by flipping those items. 

Flipping simply means buying and selling items or assets for a profit. But the asset is often “spruced up” so that it becomes more valuable, which would justify the markup from its original price.

You can flip a lot of things such as antiques, collectibles, furniture, and books. If you play your cards right, you can charge three times, four times, five times, or even ten times the purchase price, and make a handsome profit from it.

How much you can earn: Melissa and Robert Stephenson from The Flipper University earned over $133,000 in one year from flipping alone. 

According to them, you can earn a nice profit from this hobby, from a few hundred per month to thousands, even as a beginner. The trick is to learn what the best things to flip for a profit, are, where to find them, and the best places to sell them.

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3. YouTube

Filming is a great way to document your life and interests. But, if you take filming to the next level, you can make extra money or even a full-time income from it through your own YouTube channel. 

Just like blogging, you can make money from your own YouTube channel with display advertising, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and selling your own products. 

To start monetizing your channel with ads, you need to have at least 1000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of Watch Time for the last 12 months. Watch Time refers to the amount of time people spend watching your videos.

Once you meet the requirements, YouTube will insert advertisements and you get paid for ads seen on your channel. So, the more people that watch you without skipping those commercials, the more money you make on YouTube.

Earning Potential and How to Start a YouTube Channel

How much you can earn: How much do YouTubers make? According to Influencer Marketing Hub, YouTubers earn an average of $3 to$5 per 1,000 views after YouTube takes its cut. There are many things that affect your earnings such as your niche, length of the video, ad engagement, number of subscribers, how many ads there are on your videos, and more. The top ten highestpaid Youtubers make at least $10 million per year!

Related: 

• How Much Do YouTubers Make and How They Make Money
• 11 High-Income Skills to Make More Money Online

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4. Social Media Management

If you are wondering how to turn your Facebook habits into a side hustle, then you might be interested in social media management.

Almost every business we know is now on social media, but that doesn’t mean business owners have the time to manage their accounts. So, if you spend endless hours on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, why not earn from it? 

Related: 13 Real Ways to Make Money on Facebook

As a social media manager, you help your clients post content on their social media accounts, create graphics for promotions, or create social media campaigns to reach more people and increase sales. You may also need to manage a Facebook group and make sure that all the concerns of the members of that group are answered or attended to.

According to Asset Digital, small businesses spend around $89 billion on social media marketing. Meanwhile, half of the small business owners surveyed said they post daily on their accounts. This means that tons of businesses are inclined to hire a social media manager to free up their time.

Earning Potential and How to Start Working as a Social Media Manager 

How much you could earn:  The average social media salary is $50,473/yr. However, take note that this salary is for a full-time position.

If you do it part-time for extra income, you could get paid $10 to $40 per hour, depending on your skills and the scope of your job. You could charge more if you help businesses with social media marketing.

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5. Selling Printables

Do you enjoy being creative and making beautiful designs on your computer? If so, you can make and sell printables! Printables are digital files that you can download online and print yourself. They can be anything from calendars and planners to art prints and greeting cards.

I personally enjoy creating printables as a hobby, but I also love the fact that they can bring in some passive income. What I love most about selling printables is that I only have to create my products once and then sell them over and over again. I get to make some money on the side without having to put in a lot of extra work.

Here’s something else that’s great about it: you don’t need any fancy graphic design skills to create printables. You can simply use user-friendly software. My personal favorite software for creating printables is Canva. It’s my go-to tool because it is very intuitive to use and has tons of templates that make it easy for me to customize my designs.

With just a dash of creativity, a reliable computer, and a good internet connection, you can make your own printables on the go!

How much you can earn:  Well, the answer isn’t the same for everyone. Some people make a few hundred dollars each month, while others have made printables a full-time business. It all comes down to what kind of printables you’re creating and how well you market them.

Rachel Jimenez shared her story on Business Insider about how she earns an average of $9,500 a month by selling printables she creates on Canva. 

How to get started: Are you interested in selling printables but not sure where to start? I highly recommend taking Julie and Cody’s free printables workshop at Gold City Ventures. In this free workshop, you’ll learn what types of printables that make money, how to start an Etsy shop and tips on how to become successful on the platform.

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6. Shopping

Do you love shopping? And did you know that there are many ways to make money from this particular hobby?

For example, if you enjoy grocery shopping, you can make money shopping for other people through Instacart. As an Instacart shopper, you go to the grocery store like normal, except you’re getting paid to shop for others. 

Full-service Instacart shoppers do both the shopping and delivery of grocery orders, which means this side hustle idea requires a car. You can apply to Instacart here.

You can also make money from mystery shopping. 

Mystery shopping is a business tool used by companies to evaluate their products and services. Often, companies tap market research firms to carry out this process, and market research firms, in turn, deploy mystery shoppers to the store or establishment to check whether it complies with the company’s standards.

How much you can earn: Instacart pays shoppers $20+ per hour, including tips which are usually 5-20+ percent of the order. You get to keep 100 percent of the tips. 

Meanwhile, as a mystery shopper, you can make $10 to $25 per assignment.

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7. Write an eBook and Sell on Amazon

Do you enjoy writing in your free time? Just like you, I also love to write as a hobby. I never knew that I could actually make money from it. But now, writing has become my full-time job and my main source of income.

There are many ways to make money from writing. You can write e-books and sell them on Amazon. Amazon is a massive online marketplace that sells a wide range of products. One of the most popular products sold on Amazon are e-books. These are digital versions of books that can be read on electronic devices like tablets, e-readers, and smartphones.

When you write an e-book, you have the freedom to create content on any topic that interests you. Whether you are passionate about cooking, fitness, self-help, or fiction writing, there is a market for virtually every genre on Amazon.

That’s not all. Selling e-books on Amazon is a low-risk way to make money. Unlike traditional publishing, it requires little to no initial investment. You can publish your e-book for free on Amazon and set your own prices. The best part? Once you’ve published your e-book, you can continue to earn money from it for months or even years. This passive income can provide a steady source of revenue over time.

How much you can earn: With the right marketing strategies, you have the potential to earn over $1000 a month passively.

How to get started: Check out Easy Steps to Creating and Selling eBooks Online. This course is designed to help aspiring writers like you learn the ins and outs of creating and selling eBooks online. How to Create and Publish an E-book Using Canva is also a great option to consider.

8. Photography

If you love taking beautiful pictures and have a pretty good understanding of the camera and its features and mechanisms as well as composition, then you should consider monetizing this hobby.

You can turn your photography hobby into money by covering important events, such as birthdays, weddings, and reunions. 

Alternatively, you can take photos of everyday objects, sceneries, and events, and then sell them online on stock photography sites. You’ll earn a royalty for every high-quality image you sell.

How much you can make: According to PayScale, freelance photographers make an average of $25 per hour. However, you can earn passive income by selling your photos on stock photo sites or by creating your own stock photo membership site. 

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9. Podcasting

If you love to talk, but aren’t that confident in front of the camera, then podcasting is for you. 

Think of podcasting as having your own talk show. You can talk about anything you like and you can also invite guests to share their insights. 

But what makes podcasting really tick is the fact that a lot of people consume information on the goand podcasts allow them to just tune in to your channel and listen while they drive, jog, or work out. 

When it comes to making money, podcasting is a fantastic avenue to promote your affiliate business and earn sponsorships.

Earning Potential and How to Start Podcasting

How much can you make: According to Buzzsprout, with 1000 downloads per podcast episode, you can make $125 per month from Patreon and Amazon Associates. However, once you hit 5,000 downloads per episode, you can make much more with podcast sponsorship, ads, and affiliate marketing. 

You can increase your earnings by promoting your own online course and offering consulting services.

10. Crocheting

One of the things that I love most about crocheted pieces is the creativity that goes into making them. Each piece is carefully crafted by hand, making it special and one-of-a-kind. From scarves and hats to blankets and sweaters, I love how versatile crochet can be. 

Crocheting is a fun and relaxing hobby that anyone can enjoy, but did you know that you can also make money from it? All you need is just a hook and some yarn, and you can create unique and beautiful pieces that people will love. You can sell your creations and turn your hobby into a lucrative side hustle or even a full-time business.

The market for crocheted pieces is quite good. Many people like to buy crocheted items as gifts or to decorate their homes. You may not make a lot of money right away, but if you keep at it and perfect your skills, you can eventually start making a steady profit from your craft. You can also start a blog to showcase your creations and increase your income.

How much you can earn: Alysha of Littlejohn’s Yarn is proof that you can make a decent amount of money crocheting. In her income report, she detailed how she turned her hobby into a profitable business.

How to get started: If you want to improve your crochet skills, Toni Lipsey’s course Modern Crochet: Essential Skills for Getting Started is definitely a great place to start. Also, check out YouTube and blogs. There are tons of free resources you can find online.

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11. Travel and Make Money Through Blogging

Traveling is a really fun thing to do. You get to explore new places, try different cuisines, and immerse yourself in interesting cultures. But did you know that you can also make money from it by starting a travel blog? A travel blog can be a great way to share your travel stories with the world, while making some money along the way.

When deciding what to write about on your travel blog, consider what interests you the most. Are you a history buff? Dive into the historical landmarks and museums you have explored on your travels. Do you love trying new foods? Write about your culinary experiences and recommend must-visit restaurants. You can also create guides for your readers. These can include tips on the best places to visit, where to stay, and what to see and do in a particular destination.

Travel is a popular and profitable blog niche because people love to read about other people’s adventures and experiences. Many travel bloggers are able to make a living through sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and advertising on their websites.

How much you can earn: Travel bloggers’ incomes vary. Lia Garcia, the travel blogger behind Practical Wanderlust, made an impressive $22,000 in her first full year of blogging but more successful travel bloggers make over $1,000,000 per year. Many successful travel bloggers are also able to start earning money within the first six months of starting their blog.

How to get started: If you’re interested in starting a travel blog, you can learn more about blogging by checking out my detailed guide How to Start a Blog and Make Money in 2024 – This Mama Blogs

12. Crafting

Let your creative side make money! Crafting is one of the most popular hobbies that span across generations, especially among women. 

There are lots of craft ideas to make money from, including jewelry accessories, and home decor.

According to Research and Markets, the craft industry was worth over $500 billion in 2017, and it continues to grow. 

Even better, there are plenty of places to sell your products online including Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Etsy, and Amazon Handmade.

How much you can earn: Obviously, your earnings depend on the products you sell and your marketing skills.

How to get started: Learn what the best crafts to make and sell are, and how to market your products. You can sell them on your own website, or list them on marketplaces such as Etsy and Amazon Handmade.

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13. Party Planning

If you are extremely organized, with an eagle eye for detail, you have great creativity and a sense of style, then consider party planning. 

A lot of people hire party planners for their events, whether these are anniversaries, gender reveals, baby showers, or birthdays.

If you’ve always loved to help throw epic parties for friends and family, this industry might be meant for you. Apart from family occasions, you could also break into corporate party-planning, such as handling galas and charity events.

Other events you can organize:

• Dinner party
• Marriage/ wedding
• Graduation party
• Dances and balls
• Cocktail party
• Christmas caroling party
• Surprise party
• Fundraising party

How much you can earn: According to Indeed, an event planner can make an average of $33,000 per year. But planners could also make more money if they provide the event decorations.

How to get started: The best way to get started is to tap your existing network, and plan parties for them. Then, get reviews and referrals. It is also a great idea to start a website on your services so you’ll have an online portfolio for your potential clients to see.

For cheap party decorations, I can highly recommend Alibaba.com. It’s the cheapest source of products right now as you are directly contacting manufacturers on Alibaba.

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14. Writing

Before I started blogging, I worked as a freelance writer and, from one source alone, I earned over $70,000 writing blog posts, product reviews, and marketing materials.

For me, freelance writing is one of the best ways to make money online. It’s also one of my favorite money-making hobbies because it’s flexible and can be done from anywhere. Plus, with so many writing opportunities online, it’s easy to turn your writing hobby into a full-time business. 

How much you can earn: You can easily earn $1000 a month from this great hobby even as a beginner, but you can make a full-time income from it if you know how to market your writing services and how to get high-paying clients.

How to get started: Check out this simple 6-step process on how to get started freelance writing. If you want to learn how to increase your freelance writing income to $200,000/year, I recommend checking out Holly Johnson’s FREE writing workshop to learn:

• Keys to online freelance writing success
• Tips to get your foot in the door and increase your income over time
• Techniques Holly has used to build her writing income to $200,000 per year!

Related: 18 New Ways For Females to Make Money Online (I Love #7!)

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15. Affiliate marketing

Some people just have the innate ability to convince others to try and use the products or services they’re using. You can level up this skill and make it one of the hobbies that make money from home through affiliate marketing.

Having a blog or website is the first step towards making money through affiliate marketing. You can create content around a subject or topic, and then insert affiliate links within the post. When people click on that link, it leads to a page where they can buy the product you are promoting. Every purchase sends you some commission, at no cost to the customer.

I’ll be honest: affiliate marketing is not a walk in the park. It requires some strategies and a platform where you can promote other people’s products or services. However, this income opportunity allows you to earn semi-passive income later.

How much can you make: You can realistically earn over $1000/month with a small blog, but a well-established website can make you a lot more. Michelle from Making Sense of Cents makes over $50,000 per month from affiliate marketing alone!

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16. Driving

You might be wondering, “Who would drive as a hobby?” Well, there are actually many people who do that instead of staying at home. If driving is one of your hobbies, you could make money from it by becoming a delivery driver.

You can accept delivery driver jobs in your spare time, pick up the items, and deliver them to your clients. There are many delivery jobs available, especially if you live in a major city where many people do this frequently to earn an extra income.

Earning Potential and How to Get Started

How much you can earn:  Freelance delivery drivers can make $20 per hour.

How to get started: Check out Postmates, DoorDash and Instacart.

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17. Stock Market

Do you track the stock market for fun? For some people, it’s fascinating to see the market rise and fall, but others love to learn about it even more deeply so they know when to make investments.

Investing is quite a serious hobby, but it is also one of the best hobbies that make money because it doesn’t require hard work. And it can make you money as you sleep!

Note, however, that this involves risking some financial resources. You don’t need to be an expert to get started but it’s important to have some understanding of the stock market before you start investing. Thankfully, there are many resources you can check out online to learn more about this income idea.

How to get started: I personally use Webull to buy stocks. It’s perfect for beginners but it also has advanced tools for experienced investors. You can join Webull here and get a FREE stock worth up to $2300!

18. Calligraphy

Calligraphy, the art of elegant handwriting, has been around for centuries and is still highly valued today. It involves using special pens and ink to create decorative letters and designs.

Many people appreciate the beauty and personal touch that hand-lettered items can bring to their special occasions, such as weddings, birthdays, and other events. If you have a talent for calligraphy, you can turn it into a profitable hobby. You can create custom invitations, place cards, thank you notes, and other personalized items for clients.

You can also teach calligraphy to others as a way to make money. There are actually a lot of people who are interested in learning calligraphy and are willing to pay for lessons. You can offer workshops or online courses to help them improve their calligraphy skills.

How much you can earn: If you are a beginner, you may not be able to command as high a price for your work as someone who is more experienced. However, as you improve your skills, you will be able to charge more for your services.

Shinah quit her job as a corporate lawyer to pursue her passion for calligraphy. As a calligrapher, she charges anywhere from $150 to $200 per hour for her work.

How to get started: Hone your skills. Take classes or watch online tutorials to improve your craft.

If you’re looking to offer your calligraphy services online, I suggest checking out Etsy, Fiverr, and Instagram. These are great places to showcase your work and build a following of potential clients. 

19. Vintage Collecting

Are you a fan of vintage items? Do you love the thrill of hunting down rare and unique pieces from the past? While collecting vintage items is a fun and rewarding hobby in itself, it can also be a great way to turn a tidy profit. You can make money from your vintage collections by selling them!

Vintage items are essentially items that have been around for at least 20 years and have a timeless quality that makes them valuable. From old-fashioned furniture and classic vinyl records to retro clothing and accessories, there are many different vintage items that can fetch a good price.

When selling your vintage pieces, it’s important to have an eye for detail. This means being able to spot the little things that make an item stand out from the rest. This could be anything from the way a piece is crafted to the tiny imperfections that give it character. Familiarize yourself with different eras and styles so you can better identify valuable pieces.

How much you can earn: It really depends on what you are selling. If you have rare items that are in high demand, you could potentially make a lot of money from them. Keely Stawicki managed to haul in $270K in sales by reselling vintage pieces.

How to get started: You can sell your collections on online marketplaces like Etsy, eBay, and Chairish. 

If you want to sell them on Etsy, Skillshare can help you get started. The following courses cover everything you need to know about setting up an Etsy shop and creating product listings on Etsy. 

• Sell on Etsy: Etsy Business for Beginners
• Etsy Launch: How to Open an Etsy Shop Like a Professional Seller
• Etsy Listings: Learn to Create Etsy Product Listings that Get Seen

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Other Great Hobbies That Make Money

20. Fishing

Fishing can also be a lucrative hobby! I don’t just mean selling your catch to local markets and restaurants to make money from this hobby. If you know fishing tricks that work, you could make a YouTube channel and monetize it. When you already have established a good following, you can start creating your own fishing-related products and sell them on your own online store.

21. Pet Sitting

Do you love pets and love taking care of dogs? Then, make money in your spare time by pet sitting or dog walking for other pet parents. It’s easier now to find pet sitting jobs in your area with sites like Rover.

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Ready to Start Making Money by Doing Things You Love?

Having a fun hobby is great for a ton of different reasons. But hobbies can also be the perfect place to breed a good future. 

After all, you are pursuing your passion and you are doing the very thing that makes you happy. So, why not make money from it as well?