DURING the start of the pandemic, many Gen Zs took to YouTube and TikTok videos to learn new hobbies that they could do to pass the time until things started slowly going back to normal. The trends of making dalgona coffee and learning TikTok dances are enough proof of that.
For others, though, the long break that came as a result of the pandemic became an opportunity for something more: a means to make money. Soon enough, newly opened IG shops were filling up people’s feeds advertising earrings, necklaces, and clothing galore.
Though things may have gone back to normal, that doesn’t mean that you can’t continue to find ways to make some extra cash.
Here are some hobbies that you can start learning that won’t break the bank and can, over time, turn into a source of income if you hone your skills with patience and practice.
- Sewing / reworking clothes
What you need:
- Sewing kit
- Sewing machine
- Clothes to practice or work on
Estimated starting price: P2,000
If you took the time to listen when they were teaching sewing during TLE, then good for you! But if you were busy drawing eyes on your notebook instead, then perhaps now is the time to revisit this handy skill.
You can start by learning how to do basic stitches, slowly working your way toward practicing said stitches on clothes, then sewing clothes back together, and then eventually making pieces that are entirely your own. And while you don’t really need a sewing machine, it definitely speeds the process along.
You can take inspiration from shops like Anmade and The Future Is You, Instagram shops that sell handmade, reworked items like corsets, pants, tank tops, and the like.
- Jewelry making
What you need:
Estimated starting price: P1, 500 – P2,000
Reminiscent of what many did during their childhood, there’s just something satisfying about stringing beads into different patterns and combinations. And while there are videos on jewelry-making basics like stringing beads and attaching clasps, there’s no guide you need to follow when it comes to actually putting pieces together.
As your pieces get more and more complicated, there’s no doubt that prices for beads will only get higher. Murano and pearl beads, for example, are likely to cost more than just wooden or plastic ones.
To keep up with costs, don’t be afraid to raise your prices. Shops like Wear Oddities and Venus Cried are some examples of businesses whose pieces have only grown to become more intricate and high-quality throughout the pandemic, proving that good things come when you put in the work.
- Cooking / baking
What you need:
- A set of baking tools
- Ingredients
Estimated starting price: P1,000 – P1,500
The cost of cooking and baking will always vary depending on what you’re going to make; brownies made from a box mix, for example, are going to be cheaper to make compared to an intricate three-layered cake.
While you’re still starting out, be sure to stick with small, simple recipes before building your way up to more challenging ones. There are a handful of different YouTubers and TikTokers that you can learn from. At this point, it’s just up to you to take your pick; some of the popo;ar ones are Panlasang Pinoy and Abigail Marquez.
When you finally get the hang of things, you can try experimenting with different recipes until eventually, you can make something that you can call your own–something that, hopefully, you’re confident enough to sell online.
What’s great about this hobby is that it’s not just a way to make money. It also means you get to cook for yourself or for your family, which means saving instead of going out or ordering to eat.
- Creative writing
What you need:
- A pen and paper or a laptop
- Your mind
- The neverending anxiety of getting writer’s block
Estimated starting price: P0.00
Artists in the Philippines are some of the most underrated people here. People may think writing is an easy task that anyone can do, but a lot of thought, heart, and a sh*tton of revisions go into every piece.
You can start honing your writing skills by reading books from different authors. If you don’t have the money to buy books, you can always borrow from friends or family, or just look for the PDF version of whatever you want to read online. Start easy and small. Some classics you can try out are Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis or Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince.
And then when you figure out what kind of writing style you’d like to use, or even just what kind of stories you’d like to write, then you can start to put pen to paper. If you start to post your pieces online and build a following of people that like your work, you can soon open up slots for commissions for poems, stories, and the like.
You can also try making a zine or even a book, but that’s an entirely different conversation budget-wise.
- Graphic design
What you need:
- A laptop / desktop (rented or owned)
- Your mind
- Creativity
- Willingness to accept back pain
Estimated starting price: P0.00 (if you’re not buying a licensed graphic design program)
Thankfully, more and more people are starting to see the importance of graphic design. A good or bad design can often make or break a business, for example. Many have started to invest in good graphic design because, as stated by the social media marketing website Hello Social Co., this is non-negotiable when it comes to putting up a business.
This is why it’s a good idea to strike the iron while it’s hot. You can learn about the fundamentals of graphic design through videos online, and can also follow different tutorials for designs using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or even Canva if you don’t want to go through the hassle of downloading an entire program off of the internet.
When you do start honing your skills though, it’d be best to get a licensed version of whatever program you’re using if you’re truly serious about turning it into a business.
