Start a frugal hobby that pays for itself
photo by Abbybatchelder
Hobbies can be expensive. You might want to start one but think you can’t afford to. Before jumping in, consider whether or not a hobby can capture your interest long-term, so you don’t waste any money investing in costly supplies. Many hobbies can pay for themselves, save you money, make great gifts or even add to your income. Some hobbies require specific knowledge, skill sets, talent or credentials to be profitable. And you’ll have to look into state and federal laws. But everyone starts somewhere and you can, too. Find out if there’s a market for your hobby. Don’t limit yourself to your own neighborhood. Connect with others who have successfully made money from it and network. If you’ve made money from a hobby, be sure to tell me about it.
Here are some ideas.
GARDENING: You can do weeding or lawn care, grow and sell plants, grow and dehydrate herbs and make herb blends, press flowers and frame them or make cards or preserve food such as berries to make and sell jam. You can ask a local florist if they’d like to buy your flowers or ornamental branches such as willows, dogwood or forsythia, or sell right from your home, too. You can grow your own food to save money, and anything you sell can go toward funding your hobby or directly to savings.
CRAFTS: You can sell crafts at craft shows and malls. You can teach your skill out of your home or possibly at a local craft store or at a community education course. There are a lot of people who would love to learn how to make items such as jewelry, soap, candles or quilts, to name a few. Ask if you can hang a flier at your local grocery store, library or local craft store. If you sew, you can make slipcovers, or do mending or alterations. Or specialize in an area such as zipper repair, making boutique childrens’ clothes or upcycled clothing from thrift-store garments or material. There are Web sites online that you can sell your work, too. Visit www.etsy.com, www.1000markets.com or www.artfire.com. You can start an online club or newsletter featuring tutorials or patterns, as well.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Not everyone has the talent to do photography for special events, but nothing can stop you from earning money as you learn more. You can find a niche in an area such as pet photography, birthday parties, stock photos or taking pictures of local landmarks or popular regional places, and make cards or calendars to sell. You can contact your local newspaper, magazines or real estate agencies to see whether they’re interested in your work, too. Or contact local businesses and see if they need photos for brochures or ads, or sell your photos at art and craft shows, fairs or festivals.
ORGANIZING AND CLEANING: Start with friends and family and ask if anyone needs help. You can set yourself apart by using eco-friendly, homemade cleaners.
WOODWORK: Have you ever made something to fit a need, such as building a custom deck, picnic table, bookshelf, dog or birdhouse or bed frame? Or maybe you paint small wooden items for ornaments or doll houses. All of these projects can be sold. If you enjoy refinishing furniture or working on trash-to-treasure projects, you can sell at flea markets or arts-and-crafts shows, too.
FOOD: You can sell decorated cakes, cookies, bread, candies, etc. You can go into catering, too. Or place an ad to cook for a busy family, someone sick or the elderly.
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Catering and food preparation usually require a commercial kitchen in many states. This could be cost prohibitive and should be considered before selling any prepared food. Without following regulations you may be subject to fines and / or shut down by the department of health in your state.
Best of luck.
I agree and mentioned to check local laws. But everyone starts somewhere. If interested, a person could find out if they could rent space in a commercial kitchen. http://www.commercialkitchenforrent.com or vfw, churches, American Legion, etc. Many people start out thinking they can’t start something because of so many hurdles and obstacles. But there are always small steps a person can make to achieve their dreams.
Since when is organizing and cleaning a “hobby”? That is a 2nd job, not a hobby.
Additionally, I’ve had friends try photography as a side job to earn extra money. It is difficult to sell your photos to a newspaper, especially if they have their own photographer and there is so many stock images available without license on the internet. Secondarily, to sell your photos you’ll need the time, dedication, and equipment to make professional prints and, occasionally, get them framed and prepared for sale. There’s a lot of startup costs to make quality prints or have them done for you.
Selling your services as a photographer? You better do a good job. Otherwise you’re setting yourself up for a trouble from that disappointed friend or family member who regrets not hiring a professional.
I am a quilter and seamstress having had my own in-home sewing business in the past. That paid well without much overhead. I am now retired and making quilts to donate and sell. I made a rag quilt and donated it to a charity and through that donation I have received several requests and orders to make some to sell. I go to Goodwill and VOA stores and buy denim jumpers and skirts and large size jeans. These items maximize the amount of usable fabric. I also have researched the days that they have their ’sale’ days and visit on those days. I use my own scraps of fabric for the tops of the quilts and the denim for the backs.
Through using the second-hand clothing stores and my scraps I am able to reuse and recycle for a small profit. It is fun and rewarding all at the same time.
Brace yourself, this will be long.
Organizing starts out as an interest for some people, then a hobby with friends and family. Then often turns into a 2nd job. Yes, some people really dig it, Steve.
And the flip side to the rest of what you said is:
Here’s a few photos both my husband and I took a few weeks ago. He took two and I took two.
http://www.frugalvillage.com/allybeachwings.jpg
http://www.frugalvillage.com/allysoccerpractice.jpg
http://www.frugalvillage.com/matthewswing.jpg
http://www.frugalvillage.com/mirandastoryplace.jpg
It’s taken with my new camera and I haven’t even read the manual. No previous experience other than basic point and shoot cameras. I’m still figuring out what everything does. A pro could rip it to shreds, but a friend of a friend might pay me to take a few photos of her kids. I don’t own a flash other than the built in one and only own two lenses. I’m not encouraging anyone to hire a hobbyist to solely document a wedding or any major special event alone. But why not encourage someone to start out building a portfolio as they enjoy their hobby? Family or friends can hire a hobbyist to take casual photos or black and white shots. And if you’re a pro that can’t find avenues to make money, it’s time to hustle. That’s part of the profession. I mean let’s face it, there are photographers and there are photographers. But there’s room for all levels.
You can say it’s difficult, but it’s not impossible. Many hobbies require an initial investment. Of course, some require more money than others. Photography is one of them. But you can buy used equipment(research for reputable sellers). You can gradually buy your equipment and inventory as you increase your knowledge. You can volunteer or work for a camera or frame shop or for a professional photographer on weekends for discounts or to learn more. You’re already right there when opportunity might knock. Hit a brick wall? Take a community ed class and meet people. Join a photo group or social club and network with people. Look to your local public studios and take classes and borrow their equipment until you can afford your own. A photographer can start with a pretty inexpensive camera to learn the basics. Most of all, take a ton of photos! Learn about light.
I’ve bought photos simply matted and not framed at festivals. That artist might not make a fortune, but he wouldn’t be there if he didn’t make something. I mean OK occasionally a show might be a bust, but I used to do craft and antique shows and made out well. You win some and you lose some, but if you do nothing, well you get what you get. If you don’t want to apply for a juried show, then hold your own gallery showing in your own home! Hustle hustle hustle.
So yeah, I agree that it might be difficult. But isn’t most anything? Why focus on how hard it is? Why not focus on the goal and steps to take to get there? It doesn’t have to be a big money making enterprise when you start out. You’re doing something you enjoy that eventually can lead to a hobby that “pays for itself, saves you money, makes great gifts or even adds to your income”
You can view anything anyone tries to do as having roadblocks, but if you have a passion for a hobby and have even an ounce of talent, you will eventually do OK. Where you take that marketable skill from the first buck made is up to the individual. And you’re doing something you really enjoy!
Back to photography, anyone can take a photo, but that does not make them artistic or creative (or progressive or best in their city, state, country or industry)A person with all the expensive equipment in the world is not going to make the best photographer, but they can become a good photographer, a decent photographer and continue to work on their skills. And a decent photographer is better than a mom with a point and shoot or disposable camera for her daughter’s birthday party when she’s trying to entertain kids and be a good host. Maybe she can’t afford a seasoned pro. Maybe she doesn’t mind if the photos aren’t the absolute most fabulous portraits out there. Maybe she just wants someone to take a few shots so she can focus on the party. And she’s willing to pay a bit for it. Word of mouth travels quickly. So the hobbyist takes some pics and e-mails the files to her. She prints them or has them printed. It’s not award winning work, but she has some photos that are better than she could have done while juggling musical chairs.
As for newspapers, magazines and the Internet, opportunities are there. Yes, there’s competition or they have staffers but many newspapers are letting go of their full time photographers and need people that can not only write but have their own photographs, too. Why not encourage someone to start with submitting to their local newspaper’s photo gallery or blogging for them? Or start their own photo blog? Work on building a platform. Which if a person took their hobby or profession serious enough, they would have at least a small following. Mom and siblings really do count! How about making a postcard of a collage of photos with their contact info and dropping them off at some local businesses. Get the word out. If a person is a professional, they can teach classes, too. And I have bought plenty of stock photos through the yrs. You never know who might find you via a stock photo site.
There are a lot of people with natural talent and passion for a hobby, too. Often times, their talent or passion can blow away many professionals with years of experience. For some people, they just really like to do something and for others, it takes some thought as to what they might be interested in. Often times, people start with taking classes, so they do get a foundation. I’ve been fortunate to have made all of my hobbies turn into careers. I started from the bottom with zero knowledge on the topic and on a shoestring and worked my way up.
Time, dedication and equipment is ANY hobby, isn’t it? The point is to make a commitment to a hobby that is longterm, so you don’t waste money or lose interest quickly.
Dream squashers are EVERYWHERE. Often disguised as what they consider being a realist.
Everyone starts somewhere. And not everyone takes the same path to reach their goals. Most people give up too soon. And some never even get started. Rejection happens. It’s how you react to it that matters.
If a pro isn’t pounding the pavement, they can’t cry when no one calls for some photos. Not every professional is fortunate enough to have a large, upscale clientèle. If someone wants a hobby to make money, then they need to act like it. Do it. Combine it with other skills if possible.
I sincerely know there’s art and there’s umm, something a 3 yr old can do. I experienced that so often when I worked in the floral industry. I am an award winning designer and I saw Kitchen Kathy’s, Basement Betty’s and grocery stores eat into the industry. But there’s room for all levels.
p.s. Public service announcement.
I’m passionate about being a catalyst for change and I like making things happen! I believe strongly in optimism and following your heart’s desire.
Steve that is very pessimistic. I agree with Sara. Everyone starts somewhere and if it is something that you enjoy doing and this work or goods that you produce can be sold you should definitely look into it! I raise and sell geckos at reptile shows
Everyone has to start somewhere, and there is a difference between being a realist and being a defeatist.
I have been brushing up on my Photoshop skills, and I am planning on purchasing a SLR camera to start photographing professionally. It doesn’t hurt, it’s fun and if anything, it boosts my resume. I won’t be putting myself into debt to do it, either.
My brother started selling photos of local sporting events and polital events to the local newspapers when he was in high school so it can be done.
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