The Retirement Newsletter: Do it yourself (DIY) — hobby or side-hustle?

Issue Number: -44–10 ways to turn your love of DIY into a side-hustle?

Photo by Sam Clarke on Unsplash

Welcome

Welcome to issue -44: DIY — hobby or side-hustle? Can you make your love of DIY into a side-hustle? That is, turn your DIY skills into cash by doing it for someone else.

Last week, as I was working on issue -45: Thinking about side-hustles, a radiator sprung a small leak, and I had to stop writing the issue, and it occurred to me that DIY skills could be turned into a side-hustle.

DIY — hobby or side-hustle?

DIY — do it yourself — some people love it, some hate it. Some are good at it; others are not. Me? I am ambivalent about it. I think I am good (when I have the correct tools), but mostly, I am a ‘botcher’ as I don’t have the time.

DIY can take many forms — everything from gardening to major work on a house. But one thing is true in all cases; you need to know what you are doing, and you need the correct tools. And you mustn’t break any laws or put people at risk.

For example, I would replace my brake pads when I was younger (and cars were less complicated). I wouldn’t do the pads on another person’s car, as I was willing…