Many people are finding that their paychecks aren't getting them as far as they used to. The cost of groceries is constantly rising, gas prices are creeping back up, and services like cable and wireless seem to increase every with every bill. To keep up with it all, many people opt to put in more hours at work or find a second job. However, if you're not comfortable with sacrificing your free time there are other ways to keep up with the bills. There are many hobbies that can earn you extra income and will help you learn new skills in the process. This article will overview some income-driving hobbies for everyone and show you how to monetize them to help pay the bills.

Sell your photography

Photography is an amazing skill to learn. Once you get past the basics of understanding shutter speed and aperture, you'll find you can take all different types of photos. Many people associate photography with being very expensive, and while it certainly can be, advancements in the technology have made it rather affordable to get started. Once you've learned the ins and outs of your camera, there are a few ways to earn money from photography. If you have an eye for detail and setting things up, you could try selling stock photography online or taking product photography for local crafters. If you're more of a "people" person, then portraits might be more of a rewarding hobby for you. Graduation photos and family portraits are both good ways to learn the basics. Eventually you could try out being a second shooter at a wedding; meaning you work with a professional wedding photographer to help them get more shots of the wedding and reception. As you improve and build experience, you can increase your prices.

Build things people will love

When I was younger my father worked full-time and when he came home the first thing he did was head outside to start working on whatever building project he had going on. Sheds, picnic tables, tree houses... there's no end to the types of things you can build in your backyard. Getting money for your hard work is easy in the age of the internet. Most important, though, is that you're building things people will love. Pinterest is packed with ideas and YouTube full of tutorials when it comes to inspiration and learning. Once you've completed your project you can put in on your local Craigslist, a Facebook group, or even in your front lawn with a For Sale sign.

Blogging and copyediting

Would you be the first one to notice if there was a typo in this article? Do you find yourself occasionally thinking, "That would be a really good topic to write about"? Blogging and digital copyediting are two growing markets with a lot of opportunity for those of us with a passion for the written word. To work with existing businesses there are several websites that allow you to market your services online. Pick a topic that you're interested in or one you're already an expert at, and reach out to companies in that industry. If you're more of the DIY type, make your own blog with the help of a site like WordPress. Once you build a readership, you can monetize with ads and sponsors.