[MissPriss]

Does anyone make extra money with their hobbies? I like writing, so I often write and get paid for it, even though I am not a full-time freelance writer. I also take photos for people who sometimes pay me.

[abbys2cents]

I've been thinking about this issue for retirement security. I would love to be able to parlay one of my hobbies or interests into something that could generate some regular income.

I'm getting fairly good at online research, but I don't know how well that would translate into a business. Drawing is something I enjoy, but I would need to take classes before I could reach the point where I could sell my work.

[shoestring]

I do a little writing on the side as well. I also like to make candles and want to learn to make soap, so those are potential income sources as well.

[Mary]

We have a little roadside stand where we sell produce in the summer. It brings in a bit of extra cash so we'll keep this up when we retire, since we both enjoy working outside. Right now it's a good job for our boys.

[R. Paradon]

I am making a little money each month by writing. The best way, although time consuming is to find an online company that pays for articles. I will not list who I do work for here as I am new to this board and don't want to get into trouble here (yet)! If you like, feel free to pm me and I will send you the urls.

My main hobby is reading but I have not found a site that will pay me to do that!

[MakingCents]

I would love to figure out a way to make some money doing things I enjoy. But I'm not crafty or all that creative so I'm not sure what I would do..

[R. Paradon]

Originally Posted by MakingCents

I would love to figure out a way to make some money doing things I enjoy. But I'm not crafty or all that creative so I'm not sure what I would do..

I don't think you have to be crafty or very creative. Every one of us has something that we can do better than others. Baking pies, crochet, etc. You don't need to be great, just gave samples away and see what happens.

The majority of Thai people eat rice or wheat the way we eat bread. Last year I started to bake bread and and made some homemade garlic spread. In an American restaurant they would have been sent back, but I had so many orders from my Thai neighbors I could not keep up.

So you never can tell!

[mariaandrea]

I make hobby money with my hobbies - like selling crochet snowflakes and jewelry. My income is from freelance writing. For crafters, set up an Etsy shop to begin with. Even if you aren't that crafty, learning to make melt and pour soap is easy and supplies are readily available. Same with beeswax candles. Those things might not do as well on Etsy, but rent a table at flea markets and craft fairs and street festivals in the spring and summer. You could start now and have a small inventory by then.

Also, think about services. We're all good at something. Professional organizers do fairly well. Personal shopping or styling. Bookkeeping (as a former accountant I have a few clients I do books for as well as my writing). Lots of people want to garden these days - it gets more popular in tough economic times - but a lot of them don't know where to start. Then there's niche gardening. I garden on a balcony and indoors and LOTS of people don't know how to do that. Teach people how to be self-sufficient and/or frugal. Teach people how to coupon. Offer services in a niche category that isn't well covered.

[pieface]

I think starting a blog and writing about something you are passionate about can be a great move. If you do it mainly for the fun and not the money, the content you produce will naturally be of a much higher quality.

[SaveAbuck]

My mom's into jewelry making and is thinking of starting a little website online. My hobby is building websites so I would help her out with the site. It’s great that we could end up using both of our hobbies to make money between us.