Guest post from Laura
Earning money doesn’t need to be an exercise in drudgery. If you are creative and open-minded, you may be able to make cash doing something you love.
1. Start a Blog
If you have a computer and a passion for just about anything, you have the potential to make money by starting a blog. There are two ways you can go about doing this. The first is to create your own blog and draw advertisers. The second is to find other websites who pay guest bloggers to write posts.
2. Arts and Crafts
This is a great way to get kids to develop artistic skills, and put those skills to use. Don’t worry, you don’t need a future Rembrandt in your home to make money. There are many people earning very nice sums of money selling crafts (such as bead bracelets) on websites like Etsy or at local flea markets.
3. Photography
If you or your kids are constantly taking photos of anything from food to animals to beautiful scenery, you may have an income source hiding in your image files. Why not post those photos to a stock photo website. If people use your pictures, you can earn a bit of cash.
4. Keeping a Garden
Growing a garden helps kids learn about nature, good nutrition, and it gets them outside. It can also provide a little extra spending money. If you are near a local farmer’s market, rent a stall and sell your surplus.
5. Baking
Do you look forward to marathon baking sessions with your family during the holiday season? Well, this may be hard to believe, but there are others who dread the obligatory holiday baking. Good news, you can create a win-win situation by taking over this chore for a fee.
6. Shopping
Much like baking, shopping seems to be a love-it or hate-it activity. If you or anybody in your family happens to love it, try posting a few ads on Craigslist, or other internet bulletin boards, offering to shop and deliver goods for others.
7. Foraging
Did you know that there are plants and fungi growing around you that can be eaten or used for medicinal purposes? Some of these items, such as dandelion greens and morel mushrooms are in high demand from chefs. Others, such as goldenseal are wanted by herbalists and health food stores.
8. Video Production
There are multiple ways to make money with this hobby. The first is to produce a video that is either funny, touching, exciting, or interesting enough to go viral. The second is to offer your services to others. You may not be asked to film weddings as an amateur, but you can get your foot in the door filming school theater performances and sporting events.
9. Officiating Sports
Are you a football or baseball family? Maybe another sport is your passion. If you know the rules of the game, try contacting the local or state level that runs leagues and tournaments near you and offering your services. The kids can even get in on the action as many little league sports will accept officials as young as 14.
10. Canning Food
If you keep a garden, your ability to earn money doesn’t stop when the weather turns cold. You can continue making money if you turn your produce into jams, jellies, pasta sauce, and other home canned treats.
11. Pet Sitting/Dog Walking
This is perfect for a family who loves animals, but cannot keep pets of their own. You can get your daily animal fix by walking, playing with, and caring for pets, while also earning a bit of extra money.
12. Starting a Collection
Antiques, stamps, coins, comic books, figurines, etc… These are just a few items that you and your family can collect for both fun and profit. You’ll enjoy the thrill you get when you track down that perfect item for your collection, and you’ll get a kick out of the money you earn when you sell these highly collectible items for a profit.
13. Hair Styling and Makeup
This is a great hobby and money maker for a style conscious teenager. When prom and homecoming seasons roll around, there are many girls who cannot afford to pay $100 or more to have their hair and makeup done professionally. Offer these services for $50 dollars and under, and your teenager can easily earn a few hundred dollars.
14. Tutoring
Tutoring isn’t limited to academics. If you are passionate about computers, furniture refinishing, arts and crafts, or even auto maintenance, you can earn a bit of money by passing that knowledge on to others.
15. Journalism
Are you passionate about local art, music, sports, or food? If you are, and have a knack for writing, contact a few local publications. They may accept submissions for articles, or even have an opening for an occasional field contributor. You may also be able to work directly with artists or venues if they need help with press or promotions.
Sounds good? Even better, many of these opportunities also work well as a family activity.
Laura Callisen is a devoted mother, writer and sometimes traveler. Today she works as a freelance blogger and writes everything related to self-growth and motivation at Grab My Essay.
eitan says
Koocam is the site I Use to Teach my hobbies , and to learn a new skills …. it’s for those who wants to work from home by selling their knowledge.Any knowledge is required.
I highly recommend it.
Becky says
I love thrifting which is supported by my Amazon and eBay sales
Kelli B says
All good ideas to make money without going out and getting a 9-5 job. Plus, if you’re doing something you love (which hobbies are typically things you enjoy) it won’t feel so much like work!
Thanks to the Internet, there are tons of options to make money from home. Here are 37 quick ways to earn some cash: http://www.freebiefindingmom.com/37-quick-ways-to-earn-cash-for-stay-at-home-moms/
Joanne Peterson says
A person can also earn money selling to local restaurants items that are more hard to come by like in our area black walnuts, and mulberries which are grown in some of the local neighbor’s backyards. The higher end local food restaurants will pay good money for these items that are hard to get and use them in their menus.
Annie says
I know a woman who makes a bit of extra money by providing music programs for residents of area nursing homes and assisted living facilities. She sings and plays the guitar. As a former music teacher who is now a stay-at-home mom, this gives her an opportunity to bless others with her love of music.
Annie says
I know a woman who picks up a bit of extra money by providing music programs for residents of area nursing homes and assisted living facilities. She sings and plays the guitar. As a former music teacher who is now a stay-at-home mom, this gives her an opportunity to bless others while sharing her love of music.
Keelie Reason says
Great post Laura. These are awesome ways to make money. Sometimes all it takes is to be willing to do it.
[email protected] says
I have been a mystery shopper for years. It’s a great way to make a little extra money. My favorite “shops” are actually dining out experiences. I have shopped at Panera, Five Guys, and The Cheesecake Factory all for free. I don’t make a lot of money, but my family gets to spend some time together eating out and we don’t have to pay for it.
Alison @ Tickling the Wheat says
I just started mystery shopping, too, Julie. It’s a great way to earn a little extra cash. I tend to shop grocery stores (free groceries!!!) to keep my grocery budget down. Some restaurants ask you to order specific things and that doesn’t always work with the food allergies in my family.
I think shopping (hello, sales on Amazon) would be another fun way to earn money. I’ve seen some people start up Facebook groups with deals. It just seems like a huge time commitment (and you’d need a lot of discipline to not buy everything for yourself, too).
T. clark says
May I ask how I can get started with this? ? What is a reputable company where I Can make myself available?
Corine says
What’s the info.on this I’d like to do this
Tina says
I love mystery shopping.. wondering which company shops panera