Did you know that nearly 40% of retirees are exploring new ways to supplement their income through hobbies they love? 

It is even possible to make over $10,000 a month or more with some of these different retirement hobbies.

Whether you’re looking to stay busy or earn a little extra, there are countless ways to turn your hobby into profit.

I have done the research and these are the 10 most profitable niches to make money in retirement.  

1. Blogging
2. Woodworking and Furniture Making
3. Crafting and DIY Projects
4. Gardening
5. Photography
6. Writing and Self-Publishing
7. Tutoring and Teaching
8. Art and Painting
9. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
10. Selling items on-line

As you know I love to blog, and it has been a way for me to first supplement my income, and then it actually allowed me to quit my job and retire early!

But writing and maintaining a blog  isn’t for everybody.  I’ve been collecting side hustles that retirees can do.  Many are hobbies that can be converted to making money on the side.  

For instance, you know all those collectibles you have been saving for years knowing they will be worth something someday?  Well, you might be surprised exactly how much those collections are worth.  You can sell them in your spare time while retired, and make extra money!  

Let’s look at each of the different retirement niches to make money in a little more detail:

Blogging

Estimated Monthly Earnings: $200 – $10,000+

Time Commitment: Around 7-12 hours a week

Why Blogging is a great part time way to make money in retirement:

• You can Share your expertise and passions with a global audience.
• Flexible work schedule and low startup costs.  Blogging isn’t a full time job

Monetization Strategies – how you can warm money with a blog:

• Advertisements: Use platforms like Google AdSense.
• Sponsored Content: Partner with brands relevant to your niche.
• Affiliate Marketing: Promote products and earn commissions.
• Offering Premium Content: Create exclusive content for paying subscribers.
• Sell digital products – create your own – or use The Roadmap like I did.
• Explanation: Successful blogs with high traffic and multiple income streams (ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, premium content) can generate substantial revenue.

Blogging presents retirees with a dynamic and lucrative opportunity to monetize their passions and expertise. Through sharing engaging content on topics they love, retirees can leverage various strategies such as advertisements, sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and premium content to generate income. With potential earnings ranging from $200 to $10,000 per month, blogging offers retirees the flexibility to work on their own terms and create a sustainable income stream. By dedicating around 7-12 hours per week to writing, promoting, and monetizing their blog, retirees can turn their hobby into a fulfilling and profitable business venture, sharing valuable insights and experiences with a global audience while enjoying the freedom and independence that comes with entrepreneurship.

Crafting and DIY Projects

Estimated Monthly Earnings: You can make between $200 to $1,000 per month with a crafting hobby.

Time Commitment: about 5-10 hours per week to run a successful crafting hobby.

•    Create handmade items such as jewelry, home decor, or clothing.
•    Sell on platforms like Etsy or at local craft fairs.
•    Offer custom designs and commissions.

Crafting and DIY projects can be a lucrative income source for retirees who enjoy creating handmade items in their free time. By selling these crafts on platforms like Etsy, at local craft fairs, or through social media, retirees can earn between $200 to $1,000 per month. Custom orders can also boost earnings. You can earn money and also enjoy your retirement with a small online store

Gardening

Monthly Estimated Earnings: You can make between $100 to $500 a month gardening as a side hobby in retirement.

Time Commitment: You need to spend about 5-10 hours a week gardening to make $100 to $500 a month.

•    Grow and sell organic produce, herbs, or flowers.
•    Create and sell homemade jams, preserves, or herbal products.
•    Offer gardening services or consultations in your community.

Gardening can be a rewarding income source for retirees who enjoy cultivating plants, vegetables, or flowers. By selling homegrown produce, herbs, or flower arrangements at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, or to local businesses, retirees can earn between $100 to $500 per month. This side hobby requires a commitment of about 5-10 hours per week for planting, watering, and harvesting. Gardening not only supplements income but also provides a healthy, fulfilling way to spend time outdoors and stay active during retirement.

Photography

Monthly Estimated Earnings: Photography can be lucrative making $200 – $1500 per month

Time Commitment:This small business will take 10-15 hours per week.

•    Sell prints or digital copies of your photos.
•    Offer photography services for events, portraits, or real estate.
•    Contribute to stock photo websites and earn royalties.

Photography offers retirees a creative and potentially lucrative income source. By capturing captivating images of landscapes, events, or portraits, retirees can sell prints, offer photography services, or contribute to stock photo websites, earning between $200 to $1,500 per month. Platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or local art shows provide avenues for selling photographs. With a time commitment of about 10-15 hours per week for taking and editing photos, retirees not only supplement their income but also indulge in their passion for capturing memorable moments. Photography offers retirees the opportunity to express their creativity, explore the world around them, and share their unique perspective with others.

Writing and Self-Publishing

Monthly Estimated Earnings: $100 – $3,000 is  what a writer typically earns in retirement side business

Time Commitment: This part time job will take around 10-15 hours per week

•    Write and publish e-books or print books as well as graphic design
•    Offer freelance writing services for blogs, magazines, or businesses.
•    Create a personal blog or website to showcase and sell your work.

Writing and self-publishing can be a rewarding and profitable income source for retirees with a knack for storytelling or expertise in specific topics. By writing and self-publishing e-books, novels, or how-to guides on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, retirees can earn between $100 to $3,000 per month, depending on book sales and marketing efforts. This hobby requires a time commitment of about 10-15 hours per week for writing, editing, and promoting their work. Writing and self-publishing not only provide additional income but also allow retirees to share their stories and knowledge with a broad audience, offering a fulfilling way to stay intellectually engaged and creative.

Tutoring and Teaching

Monthly Estimated Earnings: Retired tutors and teachers can earn $500 – $3,000 monthly

Time Commitment:  You can expect to spend 10-20  hours per week tutoring.

•    Offer tutoring services in subjects you excel at.
•    Teach music, art, or language classes online or in-person.
•    Create and sell online courses or workshops.

Teaching and tutoring can be an enriching and profitable income source for retirees who have expertise in subjects like math, languages, music, or any specialized skill. By offering one-on-one tutoring sessions, group classes, or online courses, retirees can earn between $500 to $3,000 per month. Platforms such as Tutor.com, VIPKid, or local community centers can help retirees connect with students. This endeavor requires a commitment of about 10-20 hours per week, preparing lessons and working with students. Teaching and tutoring not only provide a steady income but also offer retirees the satisfaction of sharing their knowledge and making a positive impact on learners’ lives.

Art and Painting

Monthly Estimated Earnings: Successful artists can earn up and over $2,000 per month

Time Commitment:  Most artists spend around 10-25 hours per week creating to be successful.

•    Sell original artworks or prints.
•    Offer custom painting or illustration services.
•    Host art classes or workshops for beginners.

Art and painting can be a fulfilling and lucrative income source for retirees with a passion for creativity. By selling original artworks, prints, or custom commissions, retirees can earn between $200 to $2,000 per month. This income can be generated through online platforms like Etsy or local art shows and galleries. With a time commitment of around 10-15 hours per week dedicated to creating, marketing, and selling their art, retirees not only supplement their income but also find joy in expressing themselves artistically. Engaging in art and painting provides a therapeutic and rewarding way to stay active and share their talent with others.

Pet Sitting and Dog Walking

Monthly Estimated Earnings: You can earn Between $200 and $1,000 per month pet sitting and dog walking

Time Commitment: This requires between 10-20 hours per week to be successful

•    Provide pet sitting services for neighbors and friends.
•    Offer dog walking services in your local area.
•    Start a small pet care business with additional services like grooming.

Pet sitting and dog walking offer retirees a fun and active way to supplement their income. By providing pet care services to neighbors and local clients, retirees can earn between $200 to $1,000 per month. This hobby involves tasks like feeding, walking, and playing with pets, and requires a commitment of about 10-20 hours per week, depending on the number of clients. Pet sitting and dog walking not only provide a steady income but also offer retirees the chance to stay physically active, enjoy the companionship of animals, and engage with their community in a meaningful way.

Selling Items Online

Monthly Estimated Earnings: You can earn between $200 and $2,00o per month

Time Commitment: You will spend around 5-15 hours per week in this hobby

•    Now is the time to sell the vintage items you have been collecting!
•    Old toys, books, records or CDs, cooking supplies are all valuable to collectors
•    Use on-line platforms like eBay, Mercari, or Offer-Up

In my experience it is usually better to sell the items off individually than as a complete collection.  And don’t just limit yourself to online – flea markets are a great place to make good money

Selling items online can be a versatile and profitable income source for retirees. By leveraging platforms like eBay, Etsy, or Amazon, retirees can sell a variety of products, from vintage collectibles and handmade crafts to refurbished items and digital products. This flexible hobby allows retirees to earn between $200 to $2,000 per month, depending on the types of items sold and the effort put into listing and marketing them. With a time commitment of about 5-15 hours per week for sourcing, listing, shipping, and customer service, selling items online not only boosts income but also provides an engaging and dynamic way to stay active and connected in the digital marketplace.

Woodworking and Furniture Making

Monthly Estimated Earnings: You can make between $200 to $1,500 per month with woodworking as a retirement hobby.

Time Commitment: You need to commit about 10-15 hours per week to run a successful woodworking hobby.

•     Create custom furniture, home decor, or wooden toys.
•     Sell products online or at local markets.
•     Offer furniture repair or restoration services.

Woodworking can be a profitable and satisfying income source for retirees who enjoy crafting furniture, home decor, or wooden toys. By selling their creations online, at local markets, or through custom orders, retirees can earn between $200 to $1,500 per month. This hobby requires a commitment of about 10-15 hours per week for designing, building, and marketing products. Woodworking not only provides extra income but also offers a creative and productive way to stay engaged and utilize skills honed over a lifetime.

My Summary of Lucrative Hobbies in Retirement

In conclusion, the journey from retirement to entrepreneurship is not only feasible but also incredibly rewarding.

 By leveraging their passions and skills, retirees can transform a simple hobby into a thriving business venture. Whether it’s through crafting, gardening, teaching, or any other hobby, retirees have the opportunity to generate a steady income while indulging in activities they love. 

Offering a product or service that resonates with their audience, retirees can tap into new markets and create lasting connections within their communities and beyond.

Embracing entrepreneurship in retirement isn’t just about making money; it’s about finding fulfillment and purpose in every endeavor. 

By turning a hobby into a business, retirees can stay active, engaged, and inspired throughout their golden years. So, why not take that first step today? With dedication, creativity, and a dash of entrepreneurial spirit, retirees can embark on a journey of self-discovery and success, proving that age is no barrier to achieving dreams and making a meaningful impact in the world.