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If you’re like most people, chances are, you’re trying to earn more money at any given time. Many of us are constantly on the lookout for ways to increase our income, whether we want to take care of our essentials, put away funds for the future, or simply indulge in some small pleasures. When we think of making more money, we often think we have to undergo grueling work that is thankless and unenjoyable.
But the truth is that there are several hobbies that most of us engage in that can be turned into a way to make money. Not only do you get to fill your pockets, but you can have fun while doing so. If you engage in any of the following hobbies, you might want to consider turning them into a side hustle:
Gaming
Humans have played games for virtually as long as we have been in existence, and for most of us, it is simply a way to pass the time and have some fun. But did you know that gaming can also be a source of income? Depending on the types of games you like, there are several different avenues.
If you’re a fan of casino games, you can turn it into a side gig by strategically playing the games you have the most skill at and those that you have the highest probability of winning. If you wager your money, you can walk away with several times what you initially invested. The good news is that the rise of the internet means that you can get them from virtually anywhere in the world. If you live in California, for example, you can easily access real money gaming in California and get started. If video games are more of your speed, there are also several avenues you can pursue. You can stream yourself gaming on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, and hopefully garner an audience that will eventually turn into income. You can also play esports professionally and make money on the side.
Games like chess and Scrabble can also be done on a competitive level, with prize money up for grabs. Overall, you simply have to figure out what type of gaming most appeals to you and try to monetize it.
Writing
Many of us are blessed with the skill of writing, and in the modern era, there are so many avenues to make money from it. You can pursue a freelance writing career, which will see people of various backgrounds paying you to write blog posts, newsletters, grants, proposals, and much more. Signing up on sites like Upwork and freelancer.com can help you get started earning this money. You could also start your own blog and eventually become monetized with AdSense, sponsored posts, and much more. If you are more of a creative writer, you can self-publish your work on platforms like Kindle on Amazon and eventually garner a following. The lack of traditional industry gatekeepers means that you can find this audience with some level of ease.
Pet Care
Do you love pets and enjoy caring for them? Then you can look into pet care as a side gig. Multiple platforms and apps allow you to connect to local pet owners for different reasons. Some might want to bring in their pets for grooming, some might need you to walk their pets from time to time, and sometimes, you’ll be contracted to house-sit. It’s worth noting that house-sitting often involves picking up mail, feeding pets, changing litter boxes, and essentially keeping the house running in their absence. This can be a way to meet new people as well. Spend time with your furry friends.
Arts and Crafts
Those of us who are handy with things like bracelet-making, knitting, crocheting, jewellery-making, and much more can easily turn this into an income, thanks to sites like Etsy and others. If you’re interested, you can begin making pieces ahead of time and listing them for sale on various websites. You can also begin to advertise yourself for commissions and make pieces when you are paid to do so. You can do everything from making blankets to jewellery to candles and much more. Many creatives have structured entire businesses around online sales, and you can do this as well, whether it will be your main income or a way to make money on the side.
Makeup
While we have had over a decade of online makeup tutorials and the like, some people simply don’t know how to do makeup and would rather pay someone else to do it. If you’re naturally skilled at creating amazing makeup looks, you can easily create a business out of it. Because people will always have events they want to look good for, you can start by doing makeup for birthdays, weddings, and more in your local area. Over time, you can develop a positive reputation through referrals and can make an entire living out of this. Several sites will let you list your services to customers, and if the work speaks for itself, you can get quite far.
Photography
Similar to make-up, people always have important days that they want documented in photographs, and so, photography will always be a viable means of making money. Whether you specialize in studio photography for people’s mantles, events, or much more, you can define your niche and begin to make a career out of it. Oftentimes, you simply need basic equipment to get started and upgrade as you go. Also, the power of social media means that you can find more customers and grow your business.
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Conclusion
Making more money does not have to be a daunting and complex task. As we have highlighted, there are several pots through which you can monetize different hobbies. This could be turning your arts and crafts into an Etsy empire, streaming games for profit, or helping people look good on their big days; the sky is the limit. Consider the hobbies you most enjoy, and look for the ways these can be turned into a money-making venture.
Reviewed and edited by Albert Fang.
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Article Title: Six Hobbies You Can Monetize
https://fangwallet.com/2026/01/17/six-hobbies-you-can-monetize/The FangWallet Promise
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