When we think of hobbies, we often think of money pits. After all, a hobby is something you do for fun, and fun rarely pays the bills.

However, there are some hobbies, that surprisingly, can pay for themselves — and even make you money. If you are looking for a new hobby, don’t pick up something expensive; instead, choose a hobby that can actually result in profits:

1. Handicrafts

All of those handicrafts can provide you with a way to earn money from your hobby. Knitting, quilting, crocheting, whittling, and other similar handicrafts can provide you with a little extra income. You get to make something you enjoy, and then you can sell it.

Web sites like Etsy and eBay can be used to sell what you make. Often, the price you pay for materials is relatively small. And, depending what you are doing, it’s possible to enjoy your hobby in spare moments, and then sell what you make. It prevents your home from being cluttered with the results of your hobby, while making you a little extra cash.

2. Fishing

Do you like fishing? It’s possible to turn it into a money-maker if you are savvy about what you are doing. If you like tying flies, you can sell those for a little extra money. However, that’s not the only way to make money. If you know all the best fishing spots in your area, you can hire out as a fishing guide. You earn money for taking other sportspeople to great fishing areas — and you get to do a little fishing in the bargain.

3. Gardening

Do you like growing things? If you do, you can start a garden. But what do you do with all that extra produce? Well, you can sell the extra produce. And it isn’t just about selling the raw products. You can make preserves out of berries and sell the finished product. It’s also possible to dry your herbs and sell them, as well as make bread from your zucchini and sell that. Even if you don’t sell your produce, it’s still possible to benefit big time from gardening as a hobby. It can reduce your food costs fairly handily.

It’s not just about food, either. If you like to grow flowers, you can sell those as well. Day lilies and orchids are especially popular.

4. Shopping

At first glance, it seems as though shopping is an expensive hobby. However, it’s possible to turn it into a money-maker. If you just like the process of shopping, and don’t care whether or not what you pick out is actually yours, becoming a personal shopper can be a great business.

You choose items for someone else, from clothes to home decor to groceries to other items. Many people who are too busy to go shopping on their own hire others to do it for them. Become a personal shopper, and you get to enjoy shopping, without the expense and clutter of buying for yourself.

5. Writing

Do you enjoy writing? Sell your services. There are plenty of people looking for writers and ghostwriters. Turn your writing into money by selling your services, or starting a web site and monetizing it. It’s a great way to enjoy yourself while making money.