10 money-making hobbies

Many people embrace retirement like a long holiday. You’re suddenly gifted with the time to enjoy your hobbies, take the trip of a lifetime and make up for lost time with friends and family when you’ve been working. But all holidays come to an end, and once you’ve satisfied your itchy feet and seen your loved ones ten-times over, there’s a chance you might find yourself at a loose end. Here are the money-making hobbies people across the world are using to get creative with earning a little extra in retirement.

1. Blogging

Passionate about poodles or a green-fingered enthusiast? If you’ve got a flair for writing and time to spend, successful bloggers can earn the equivalent of a full-time income from the comfort of their own home. You won’t get paid straight away, some don’t get paid at all, but if you’re good at what you do there’s uncapped earnings potential and endless freebies thanks to advertising and product placement.

2. Baking

From birthdays to weddings (depending on your skill level), occasion cakes are one of the fastest growing hobby earners on the market. With high-end wedding cakes priced from £500 to £1,500, it’s a lucrative market if you’ve got skills to rival Mary Berry.

3. Coaching

If you’re a talented guitarist, a good motivator or great at a particular sport, it may be worth investing your time in a coaching qualification. You could earn an extra income from teaching others your hobbies. Of course, you’ll need patience – potentially lots of it if you’re teaching beginners or children.

4. Tutoring

Similar to coaching, if you’re experienced in the academic sector, there’s money to be made. Parents most frequently seek out
tutors for their children in the lead up to exam time, so you could enjoy some added income in the lead up to summer. It’s a popular
earner for ex-teachers and academics, so competition could be tough in your area.

5. Buying and selling online

Are you a bargain hunter with a good eye? Thousands of people earn money by selling second-hand goods online. If you previously worked in retail, merchandising or buying, you’ll probably have a natural sense of what does and doesn’t sell. From clothes to electronics, vinyl to antiques, you could be earning between hundreds and thousands a year.

6. Crafts

Armed with a sewing machine and a steady hand? Making and selling homewares such as cushions, blankets or even curtains is a moneyspinner. Websites such as Etsy and eBay are specialist for selling homemade creations, so it’s simple to get started.

7. Pets

Good with animals? Pet-sitting and dog walking are popular options, but if you own a good-sized house you could potentially look after multiple animals at once from the comfort of your own home. If you’re experienced in looking after reptiles, exotic birds or even dog grooming, you’ll never struggle to find people willing to pay more to guarantee the care of their best friend.

8. Gardening

If you’re green-fingered and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, you can do as little or as much gardening as you like. From mowing an elderly neighbour’s lawn once a week to starting a business, millions of gardens across the UK are in need of some TLC.

9. Self-publishing

If you’ve got a wealth of information that others can benefit from, self-publishing on devices such as the Kindle is relatively easy. If you’ve been successful in an industry or have a sought after skill, you’re bound to find a market. Alternatively, if you’re a local history buff or an accomplished pastry chef, you could find an audience by writing about a niche interest or skill. Or, perhaps you have a best-selling novel idea just waiting to be penned.

10. Consultancy

If you were successful in your career or you’ve owned your own business, why not use your experience to help others? Even if you’ve not been a MD or CEO, your knowledge of a particular sector could be helpful to others. Consulting is a great way to keep your professional foot in the door while earning some extra cash.