The Hobby Hustle: 10 Tips on How to Make Money in Your Spare Time

37 percent of Americans have a side hustle. That means almost 4 in 10 people are making money in their spare time.

If you’ve been thinking of making some side cash, now is the time.

There are dozens of different ways to increase your income. Why quit your day job when you can make money 9-5 and after? If you can find the right side hustle for you, the money could be lucrative.

Some side hustles take hours of preparation. Others you can do while you watch TV before bed. Keep reading to learn how to make money in your spare time.

1. Thrift and Flip

Do you enjoy thrift store shopping? Put that passion and skill to the test by reselling your finds.

Keep an eye out for pieces that have a high resale value. Research which brands sell well and the condition they should be in.

Buy items from your local thrift store and make money on the markup. Use sites like eBay, Poshmark, and ThredUp. Create a neutral and appealing backdrop to take pictures of the items in front of.

The higher the quality of the item, the more you can earn. It may take some research to know what to buy. Once you get the hang of it, reselling can be a lucrative source of extra cash.

2. Dog Walking

If you go for a walk every day after dinner, why not making money doing it? Dog walking won’t compare to your full-time job’s pay, but it can add up.

Most dog walkers charge per dog, per half hour. If you walk two dogs a night for an hour each, that’s a significant chunk of change per week.

You can advertise your dog walking services on sites like Rover. There, you can also advertise doggy daycare and boarding services.

3. Sell Your Stuff

Take inventory of your belongings. What kinds of items are sitting unused in the garage? Some of your items could be worth a pretty penny.

Decide which items you don’t use or want anymore. Look up their secondhand value on eBay and local selling sites like Craigslist. Quality matters, the newer the better.

Collectibles are often good items to sell, like comic books. Read more about the specific ways to effectively sell your comic books.

4. Photography

Did you know that the photo gallery on your phone is worth money? Stock photo sites like Shutterstock and DepositPhotos will pay you for your photos.

There are some criteria the photos have to meet. They must be top quality and featuring places or things they need more images of.

As people download your image on the site, you get paid. Cha-ching!

5. Editing and Proofreading

How do you feel about Oxford commas? What about sentence length and SEO? If these are things you care about, consider starting a proofreading side hustle.

Businesses post online written content all the time. If there are spelling mistakes, they lose credibility. You can offer your editing services on sites like Upwork and Fiverr.

SEO is a hugely profitable skill as well. If you can make their digital content more searchable, you’ll be bringing home the bacon.

6. Online Shopping

Do you love to shop online? You can do it while watching the kids, a movie, or when you’re bored.

You can earn cash back on your online purchases with Ibotta. This app pays you to shop at certain stores and sites. These sites include clothing department stores, grocery stores, and hardware stores.  

Anything you need for your house and family can earn you money. Just buy them through the Ibotta app. It’s not really work if you’re getting paid for something you enjoy!

7. Video Creation

If you’re skilled with videography and editing, you can profit from those skills. Businesses often need promotional videos made of their company.

As a freelance videographer and editor, you can undercut the competition.

You could also create videos for weddings, corporate events, and the government. Promote your services on Upwork and other freelance service sites.

8. Handcrafted Goods

People have been selling their handmade goods for centuries. Today, with the internet, the consumer base is massive.

Whether you make jewelry, home décor, or beauty products, there’s a market for you. Consumers today are more conscious of their purchasing power. They may be more inclined to buy from an independent business owner.

It doesn’t have to take much of your time, either. Make the goods, promote them, and ship them out.   

9. Monetize Your Instagram

How many followers do you have on Instagram? If it’s 1000 or more, you could be making money off your account.

Consider looking into affiliate marketing, blogging, and sponsorships. Brands will pay you to promote their products to your audience.

You may never have thought of your personal Instagram as a side hustle. But, the money is there if you’re willing to work for it. You were going to post that selfie anyways, why not earn some cash for it?

10. Drive for Dollars

Companies like Uber and Lyft have made it easy to make extra money on the side. All you need is a car, a license, and spare time.

Driving is an awesome side hustle because you choose when you want to work. Keep working your 9-5 during the week. Weekend nights, hop in the car and drive people around your city.

If you have an extra large vehicle, you can drive more people and make more. Or, if you have a luxury vehicle, rent it out as an experience. Car aficionados could pay per hour to drive your super cool car.

Want to Learn More About How to Make Money in Your Spare Time

When you start a side hustle, you have the chance to significantly increase your income. There are plenty of ways to make that extra cash.

Side hustles can vary from dog walking to driving to digital marketing. Writing is a potentially lucrative side gig to consider.  

Now that you know how to make money in your spare time, it’s time to get started. Read here to find freelance writing jobs and start your side hustle. Let the money start flowing!