5 Surprising Ways Retirees Are Turning Hobbies Into Cash

Retirees are finding savvy ways to make money from the hobbies they love.

“Turning that hobby or creative venture into something exciting and meaningful financially has so many benefits, from shoring up retirement savings to increasing quality of life to staving off dementia,” says Patrick McAndrew, founder of American Wealth Planner.

Getting Profitable With Puzzles

Missy Walker of Winter Garden, Florida is passionate about puzzles. “I love jigsaw puzzles. I solve puzzles at home. I play in puzzle competitions. And I’ve always loved puzzling fast,” Walker says. “As a retired educator, it’s a great stress relief for me and I love the challenge.”

Walker started a blog and began selling used puzzles on Facebook Marketplace to make some money from her hobby. “I started my blog, Speed Puzzling Tips. Just hit the first anniversary last week and we have over 4K viewers a month,” Walker says. “I write all the content myself and I keep it real because I play jigsaw puzzles.”

Selling Artwork

Jan Lawson, 83, began creating art at age 60. She works in acrylics, creating both paintings and collages. She shows and sells her art in coffeehouses, community centers, and art galleries. Lawson has an apartment at Wake Robin, a retirement community in Shelburne, Vermont, and she also hangs a piece of art outside her front door. “It’s kind of fun to keep changing it,” Lawson says.

People notice the art and want to buy it. “Sometimes I sell it to them. Sometimes I give it to them,” Lawson says. “That’s fun to do.”

Renting Out RVs, Pools, and Yards

Retirees are finding ways to make money off vehicles and other items they’re not using. They rent out for cash what they once used for their hobbies.

“Myrna and Bill Landers lived on their acreage for over 25 years before deciding to list their pastures as off-leash dog parks on Sniffspot. Not only have they earned meaningful income but they also say that sharing their land and their art with people and pups alike is a joy,” McAndrew says.

Selling Photography

If you’re a retiree who enjoys taking photos, the next step is selling them.

“If you like to take photos, why not turn them into cash by selling them as stock photos?” asks Mark Slack, finance expert at SideHustles.com. “Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Alamy will take the photos and license them to people, paying you each time they’re downloaded. The most popular categories, including business, travel, and lifestyle photography, tend to sell really well.”

Selling Homegrown Produce

Did you get into gardening when you retired? Your garden’s bounty can be sold for cash.

“If gardening is a passion of yours, you can definitely earn some money doing it! Selling your home-grown herbs, vegetables, or stylish plants in pots at farmer’s markets or in a small community-supported agriculture (CSA) environment is a great way to spread the love and earn some cash,” Slack says. “If you specialize in growing plants that are hard to get your hands on or organic produce, you can really find your own niche.”

Don’t Be Afraid to Get Started

Consider these tips from Joe Camberato, founder of National Business Capital, if you’re retired and searching for a hobby that you can transform into a money-making small business.

“If you love being out on the water, get your captain’s license and start taking people out for boat tours,” Camberato says. “If you’re into cars, buy and flip them for a profit. Plenty of people are looking for a good deal but don’t know how to find one. Use your knowledge to make money.”

Camberato has more tips for people who love to cook, people who love to drive, and those who speak foreign languages. “If you’re passionate about cooking, offer private chef services for small events or start selling your best baked goods locally. If you like driving, sign up for Uber or Lyft. It’s flexible and you’re getting paid to do something you already enjoy. If you know another language, teach classes over Zoom. People are always looking to learn.”

Take that first step and begin monetizing your favorite hobby. “The opportunities are endless. You don’t have to turn your hobby into a full-time business but almost anything you enjoy can be monetized in some way,” Camberato says. “You just have to take action.”

The Bottom Line

Retirees are taking steps to turn the hobbies they enjoy into money-making endeavors. They can bring in income from the hobbies they love, whether it is selling art, blogging about puzzles, or renting out their yards. Selling photos or selling produce from a garden are other ways to make cash in retirement.

What hobby do you enjoy that you would like to monetize? Take the first steps and begin. You’ll have cash coming your way before you know it.