Money Making Hobbies

[Throwdownmyaceinthehole]

Just dropped off my old sails and canvas for stitching repair to a guy that does it out of his garage as a second job. Looked like a good hobby to me, I'd guess about $50 per hr, at his leisure.

[Htown Harry]

Managing one's own investments, accounting and taxes can be a money-making hobby.

[outdoorgirl02]

Like fuego, I also have a blog related to my previous career and it makes a decent income. I am not RE'd but I'd say semi-retired or part timer best describes my current situation.

[Buckeye]

I consider lifelong learning my hobby so I substitute teach at middle schools in the school district in which I live. I can accept or reject any available job although we are required to work an average of 4 days per month (about 40 days a school year) including 14 Fridays (a day of the week with heavy demand) to stay active in the system.

When I started a couple of years ago, subs had to have a Florida teaching certificate. Ultimately, that requirement went by the wayside when they couldn't find enough subs. From what I understand, the teaching certificate requirement comes and goes depending on sub supply. Currently there are 3 sub levels - AA, BA/BS, and BA/BS with teaching certificate. Each level is eligible for different types of positions (more credentials allow a sub to apply for longer term positions). All the levels pay poorly (about $10 per hour). I went back to school for a year and earned my teaching certificate. I'm certified to teach middle school math (one of my degrees is a math degree) but I can sub any subject (and I have).

The awesome part of the situation is I get to pick whether I want to work and where I want to work. After two years, I have my stable of teachers who call upon me to fill in for them and I rarely take a random job off the website. It's one of the most interesting things I've ever done and, by far, the most difficult (and rewarding) thing I've ever done!

[daylatedollarshort]

One of my retired friends enters contests for a hobby and has gotten really good at understanding odds and probabilities. She wins all sorts of prizes including hotel stays and vacations.

[harley]

Woodcarving is the way to go. I can do a nice walking stick in about 20 hrs, 25 if you count walking around in the woods looking for material. If I wanted to I could sell them for at least $50 each. Raking it in!!!

[aja8888]

Quote:

Originally Posted by harley Woodcarving is the way to go. I can do a nice walking stick in about 20 hrs, 25 if you count walking around in the woods looking for material. If I wanted to I could sell them for at least $50 each. Raking it in!!!

Harley,....that's $2/hour....but tax free I imagine.

[FUEGO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aja8888 Harley,....that's $2/hour....but tax free I imagine.

Crap, you told him that for free. I was hoping to charge him for business consulting...

[Sunset]

I do some consulting at times agreeable to me for a former client.
I like the interaction, and the work amount is small enough to be fun.
I don't need the $$$, but its nice as it allows me to stuff the max into the ROTH for DW and I, thereby building up our Roths, etc..
I consider myself retired, just like a volunteer would, except I get paid.

[Turn_the_Page]

I think the key is having a hobby you truly enjoy. Then you can 'dip your toe in the water' and test out the money making part of it. I enjoy woodturning, but I wonder is I'd still enjoy it as much if I forced myself to make 50 of something in preparation for a craft show. Some of the turners do well, they have a plan. Some are tied into the high-end market and can make unique items that appeal to that market. Others go more utilitarian and price accordingly.

I remember talking to a turner at a craft show, he tells me that it's no fun anymore.

I also think if you look at your 'pay' on an hourly basis, you may get very discouraged. Remember, you're doing this because you enjoy it!

[harley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turn_the_Page I think the key is having a hobby you truly enjoy. Then you can 'dip your toe in the water' and test out the money making part of it. I enjoy woodturning, but I wonder is I'd still enjoy it as much if I forced myself to make 50 of something in preparation for a craft show. Some of the turners do well, they have a plan. Some are tied into the high-end market and can make unique items that appeal to that market. Others go more utilitarian and price accordingly. I remember talking to a turner at a craft show, he tells me that it's no fun anymore. I also think if you look at your 'pay' on an hourly basis, you may get very discouraged. Remember, you're doing this because you enjoy it!

Yeah, that's why I wouldn't really do it. In order to be able to make something like carving work, you'd have to find a way to "mass" produce them. The same thing over and over wouldn't be fun. And then there's the selling part. I also talk to the people that sell at craft fairs and they don't seem to be having much fun. No matter what you do as a hobby, if you want to make money you have to drum up business. I can't see that as being part of "what you love" no matter what. I call that part work.

[jguild2120]

I have one.

35 years ago I got a double degree: 1) Mechanical Engineering (BSME) and 2) Fine Art. I have working as an engineer since but I never gave up my art, working it on my time off. Through the years, this interest in art turned into a commercial & fine arts photography money making hobby with a very nice customer base. I don't make near the money at art as my engineering job but it does allow me to maintain a studio and buy what ever equipment and material I want in order progress my art. Thus, I call it my 'Money Making Hobby'.

I retire this year from my engineering job but I will never retire from my 'hobby'. It will last a life time. It will keep me young both in mind and spirit until I die. God willing, I hope that will not be soon.

Please forgive me for blowing my own horn, some of my work can be seen here:

www.WaterFireRock.com I am John Guild

Creating art can be self-actualizing; a means of reaching your full potential and discovering you inner self. I highly recommend art as hobby.

[Ronstar]

Nice work, John! And welcome to e-r.org!

[jfn111]

I retired from Mega Corp after 33 years at age 55. I didn't need to go back to work for the money but I've always enjoyed Real Estate. I sold my rentals and it's more fun being a Realtor then it is being a landlord.
I consider myself retired but others could quibble with the definition.
When it quits being fun I'll stop doing it.

[Moemg]

I consider myself retired but I spend a few hours a week running my ebay business . I sell dresses to 30-45 year old women. I don't need the money and it has been fun but I may wind it down this year.

[imoldernu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jguild2120 www.WaterFireRock.com I am John Guild Creating art can be self-actualizing; a means of reaching your full potential and discovering you inner self. I highly recommend art as hobby.

Awesome_ thank you!
............................................

Not smart enough to turn my hobbies into money.
Up until 2 years ago, I typically spent 30 hours a week helping others in my hobbies and as part of retired life.
On call 'tech' guy for the 150 people in our community who used computers. Classes, house calls. The running joke was that I had been in the bedrooms of almost all the ladies in our retirement community (Computers usually in the bedrooms of our mfg home park.). Never even thought about any compensation, just happy to see more oldsters getting into computers - 1991-2011. When a new resident started charging for house calls, I dropped out.
The other hobbies:
Bicycles: My home was the local repair shop in FL and IL... fun for me.
Golf carts: repair and detail.
Appliances: repair... my favorite pastime. From toasters to washing machines.
Planning, staging and emceeing parties: Along with other volunteers.
Go To person for health and emotional problems: Not a hobby, but very satisfying.

Ya know, I was so happy and grateful for being retired, that it never occurred to me to earn money doing what I liked.

[Maenad]

A couple years ago I took up stained glass as a hobby. I'm hoping in retirement to sell just enough suncatchers and candleholders on etsy to pay for my supplies, but I've learned why the term "starving artist" exists - to make even minimum wage I'd have to charge so much that they'd never sell!

[aja8888]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jguild2120 I have one. 35 years ago I got a double degree: 1) Mechanical Engineering (BSME) and 2) Fine Art. I have working as an engineer since but I never gave up my art, working it on my time off. Through the years, this interest in art turned into a commercial & fine arts photography money making hobby with a very nice customer base. I don't make near the money at art as my engineering job but it does allow me to maintain a studio and buy what ever equipment and material I want in order progress my art. Thus, I call it my 'Money Making Hobby'. I retire this year from my engineering job but I will never retire from my 'hobby'. It will last a life time. It will keep me young both in mind and spirit until I die. God willing, I hope that will not be soon. Please forgive me for blowing my own horn, some of my work can be seen here: www.WaterFireRock.com I am John Guild Creating art can be self-actualizing; a means of reaching your full potential and discovering you inner self. I highly recommend art as hobby.

Nice work, neighbor! I have probably seen some of your work around here since I have lived in The Woodlands going on 25 years.

[Midpack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moemg I consider myself retired but I spend a few hours a week running my ebay business . I sell dresses to 30-45 year old women. I don't need the money and it has been fun but I may wind it down this year.

So DW can't buy from you...

[Hermit]

I've worked harder since I retired than I did while working. I'm building my own house. It is definitely a hobby. If it wasn't immensely enjoyable, I wouldn't be doing it. I will save a lot more money on labor than if I had some sort of retirement job. Once the house is done, I will continue with construction and maintenance in a volunteer position at the local kids camp.

Hermit