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Hobbies – we all have them. In fact, we all probably have multiple hobbies. A hobby is defined as an activity done regularly in one’s leisure time. A few of my hobbies include baking, going on walks, reading blogs, relaxing on my deck, going on coffee dates with my husband, exploring Charlotte and watching movies in the evenings. Hobbies are constantly changing, too. Before I had kids, my hobbies were more focused on working out and going out, haha. My main focus wasn’t on relaxing. Now that I have kids, the word “relaxation” takes on a whole new meaning. You guys with me on that?!
Some people have hobbies that are strictly about relaxation (that’s my focus in this phase of my life), some people have hobbies that cost them money and some people have hobbies that make them money. Examples of hobbies that cost money include skydiving, hunting, playing music, boating or trying new restaurants each week. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with any of these things, it’s important to make sure that you can comfortably afford your hobby.
There are many “free” hobbies too in addition to the ones I mentioned above (I realize going for a walk isn’t necessarily a hobby…but with a 2 and a 1 year old, it’s a highlight of my day!), such as running or jogging, cooking food from scratch, hiking, reading, drawing, playing games online or volunteering. Now that it’s spring, one of my favorite hobbies is going to a park here in Charlotte, watching my girls play and then taking a long walk around the park. Most of the parks are surrounded by walking trails, lakes and of course huge, beautiful trees. This is where I feel most at peace and my happiest. My husband and I chat about our goals and dreams, the girls are usually well-behaved in the stroller as long as they have snacks and I love just breathing in the fresh air.
There are also hobbies people have that make them money. I started this blog with the full intent of making money. I’ve said from the beginning that this blog is not a hobby, but a job. Technically, though, I could define it as a hobby since it’s something that I enjoy doing. But if I say that, then I guessfreelance writing and all of my other online work would be considered a hobby too because I love it so much. (Not a bad life, huh?!)
Hobbies that make you money
Hobbies that can make you money include blogging, investing, purchasing rental properties, walking dogs as a business, making crafts and opening an Etsy shop, teaching private music lessons, photography, being a fitness instructor, carpentry and more. It’s no coincidence that a lot of these “hobbies” are people’s actual jobs. Just like me and my work – freelancing definitely is a job but at the same time I enjoy it immensely. It’s true what they say – if you love what you’re doing, you’ll never work a day in your life.
Perhaps, like me, your main job is to be a homemaker. While I love freelancing, being a wife and a mom comes first in my life. It always will. While there are certain areas I could do better in – such as cooking dinner consistently – I think I’m doing a good job overall. The house is almost always clean, I play with my girls all the time (I’ve recently decided to not use my computer when they’re awake. This has made such a difference in how our days play out!!), my husband is my best friend and gets plenty of attention, and our house is slowly turning into a home through both adding decor and making memories.
If you’re a homemaker – whether you are a newlywed, a new mom, a mom to teens or are simply looking to create a beautiful home – I highly recommend looking at the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle*, on sale from April 20-27. Here, you’ll receive over $1,290 worth of ebooks and ecourses at 97% off, meaning you pay just $29.97. You’ll learn:
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The bundle isn’t on sale until Monday, April 20th, but you can choose to “Get Notified” and receive an email reminder on that date so you don’t forget to place your order. This would also make a wonderful gift for the new mom in your life for Mother’s Day, or even as a gift for your own mother!
What are some of your hobbies? Do any of them make you money? Share in the comments!
*post contains affiliate links
FAQs
Spending on activities that bring you joy should not be left in the rearview mirror, experts say. If done wisely, cash spent on your hobbies is money well spent.
How much do hobbies cost? ›
How Much Should You Spend On Hobbies? A big, broad, general rule is to max out any hobby budget at 5% to 10% of your take-home pay. That's a very rough number. The amount you can actually spend depends on your specific circ*mstances.
Is it bad to have an expensive hobby? ›
There is nothing wrong with having a hobby (or several hobbies), but it shouldn't be to the detriment of your financial goals. If you have an expensive hobby you don't want to give up, there's nothing wrong with saying so.
How much do Americans spend on hobbies? ›
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American household spends almost $3,000 a year on entertainment costs, and people are putting even more money into their hobbies, growing as much as 17 percent in 2021 alone.
Is it still a hobby if you make money? ›
The frequency with which you turn a profit may also matter for legal and tax purposes. If you make a profit on one item one time, this may still leave you with a hobby rather than a business.
Can hobbies make you money? ›
Depending on how you direct your talents and interests, you can make anything from extra spending money to a full income through an online business centered around your hobby—all by doing something you might have done anyway. This guide compiles a list of common lucrative hobbies that can make money.
What hobby is not expensive? ›
If you do something often, and you find it fun, relaxing, or otherwise enjoyable, that's an example of a hobby. Some hobbies many people enjoy that are cheap and easily accessible include hiking, biking, reading, art, and writing.
Which hobby is expensive? ›
Art. Collecting art might start with a single painting, but it quickly grows until the person has quite a collection. Art collecting is an expensive hobby to have and falls neatly into the luxury category because a single piece can far exceed hundreds of thousands.
How to afford hobbies? ›
The best way around this is to actually plan for the amount you'll spend on your hobby. Call it your passion fund: set aside cash for it as you would the other expenses in life (power bill, food, transport, etc.) It may seem stuffy to do that, but financial discipline can lead to joy.
What is the 3 hobby rule? ›
One to keep you creative, one to keep you fit and one to make you money. As a huge proponent of hobbies, it must be said, not all hobbies are created equally, and not all serve the same purpose.
Time spent on hobbies isn't wasted; it's an investment in personal fulfilment and enrichment.
What is the average lifespan of a hobby? ›
The average lifespan of a hobby is 16 months, with the majority sticking to an activity for 1-5 years. This range reflects the time it takes to explore, learn, and potentially master a new skill. The longevity of a hobby may depend on its complexity and personal dedication.
What is the number 1 hobby in the US? ›
When it comes to the most popular hobbies in the United States, cooking & baking tops the ranking.
What does the average American spend the most money on? ›
Housing is by far the largest expense for Americans. Monthly housing expenses in 2022 averaged $2,025, a 7% increase from 2021. Over the course of 2022, Americans spent $24,298 on housing on average.
What do American adults spend the most money on annually? ›
The average annual expenditures for 2022 were broken down into 14 major components (table B). Overall, housing accounted for the largest share (33.3 percent), followed by transportation (16.8 percent), food (12.8 percent), personal insurance and pensions (12.0 percent), and healthcare (8.0 percent).
Are there any disadvantages of spending too much time doing a hobby? ›
Hobbies that take up a lot of time can affect life and work balance, which is not a good sign. Having a hobby at times can be stressful. Now some are more passionate about their hobbies than their full-time jobs. In such cases, they are indulged in focusing on their hobbies more than anything else.
How long should I spend on hobbies? ›
Spend as much time as you want on your hobbies as long as they don't interfere with your responsibilities, like work, school, being with family, Don't let anyone tell you that you need to stop putting your own time into something you love to do.
How do you justify spending money on hobbies? ›
Hobbies are self-care. Hobbies are going to bring you joy and they're going to reduce your stress, which therefore makes you a more productive individual at work and at home. Learn everything that you can about your particular hobby of choice and you'll feel much more at home with the time spent investing in it.
Do I really need a hobby? ›
Engaging in hobbies and leisurely activities can improve your mood, confidence, and self-esteem. Adopting a new hobby is fantastic for enhancing your daily life and strengthening your mental health. Your mind is a beautiful place, so treat it well and it will flourish!
