Can making money be considered a hobby?

[Apple Of Sodom]

Honest question looking for honest replies.

I am in my late twenties, married with kids. I enjoy my family and all of that, but have found I don't TRULY have a hobby other than traveling... but traveling isn't something you can do every week.

I grew up and playing video games is nice occasionally, but I cannot do it for hours on end, or even every day. I love watching movies, but who doesn't? I enjoy lots of things out there, but there isn't truly one hobby I look forward to. I like camping, boating, riding my bike, yard work...but I wouldn't consider any of those things hobbies.

My one hobby is making money. I like to work and take on as much side stuff as I can within reason. I spend a large amount of time with my family, but I simply like making money. Most of my work isn't hourly but rather sales or contract work, and so I can spend a few hours doing something and make thousands of dollars. I get paid by a lot of people to just be available if they need me. It is almost a game and my bank account is the score. I certainly wouldn't be this way if I only made $30/hour doing extra work.

No, I'm not bragging. I think this is odd and I want to find out if anyone else out there is like this. Is this considered being a workaholic? I can vacation and not work...although I do look forward to working when I'm on vacation and I probably spend more time with my kids than anyone else I know.

Is it healthy and normal or do I have some sort of hobby defect?

 

[Lamont Burns]

I think you are just American. Or are you not?

 

[FelixDeCat]

Honest question looking for honest replies.

I am in my late twenties, married with kids. I enjoy my family and all of that, but have found I don't TRULY have a hobby other than traveling... but traveling isn't something you can do every week.

I grew up and playing video games is nice occasionally, but I cannot do it for hours on end, or even every day. I love watching movies, but who doesn't? I enjoy lots of things out there, but there isn't truly one hobby I look forward to. I like camping, boating, riding my bike, yard work...but I wouldn't consider any of those things hobbies.

My one hobby is making money. I like to work and take on as much side stuff as I can within reason. I spend a large amount of time with my family, but I simply like making money. Most of my work isn't hourly but rather sales or contract work, and so I can spend a few hours doing something and make thousands of dollars. I get paid by a lot of people to just be available if they need me. It is almost a game and my bank account is the score. I certainly wouldn't be this way if I only made $30/hour doing extra work.

No, I'm not bragging. I think this is odd and I want to find out if anyone else out there is like this. Is this considered being a workaholic? I can vacation and not work...although I do look forward to working when I'm on vacation and I probably spend more time with my kids than anyone else I know.

Is it healthy and normal or do I have some sort of hobby defect?

Gambling and daytrading are not money making hobbies - so no.

 

[Apple Of Sodom]

I think you are just American. Or are you not?

I am... but most people I know seem to be indifferent to work, at most, and only make what they need to live. They would rather read a book on a Saturday afternoon. I feel lazy if I sleep in past 8 on the weekends (although I do it sometimes.) I'm not saying I don't relax. But if given the choice between sitting at home and watching movies all Saturday OR working, 9/10 of the time I'd pick work.

 

[her209]

Counterfeiting is illegal.

 

[Apple Of Sodom]

Gambling and daytrading are not money making hobbies - so no.

I've recently gotten into trading simply because letting money sitting in a bank account at 1.5% interest is not a good idea. Inflation sucks However that is not "real work" to me at this time and takes little of my time. I would be considered more of a swing trader.

 

[Apple Of Sodom]

Counterfeiting is illegal.

Since WHEN?! Was this some sort of new law that they snuck into the Health Care Bill?

 

[TwiceOver]

I don't see why not. Right now I do the same thing. Instead of trading my time for something of personal interest (a true hobby), I trade for money that someone else gives me.

 

[gimmewhitecastles]

It just means you like your occupation. It's a lot of people dreams to turn their hobbies into an occupation. If your job was to clean out manure of a horse barn could you say the same thing?

 

[Apple Of Sodom]

It just means you like your occupation. It's a lot of people dreams to turn their hobbies into an occupation. If your job was to clean out manure of a horse barn could you say the same thing?

No. Not at all. And before I had the opportunities I have now I wouldn't say I was always concerned with work...just in the past 5 years or so.

 

[HannibalX]

Nothing wrong with a strong, healthy work ethic. Many people could benefit from it. As far as it being a hobby? I could see side work which is not your main source of income being a hobby. Lots of people take on side work doing something they like as a hobby and they make money at the same time.

 

[Apple Of Sodom]

I don't see why not. Right now I do the same thing. Instead of trading my time for something of personal interest (a true hobby), I trade for money that someone else gives me.

That is a good way to look at it. Thank you.

 

[dennilfloss]

How is hobby formed?()

 

[Aharami]

so what exactly do you do 'on the side' that gets you way more than $30/hr?

 

[InflatableBuddha]

The real question is, would you still dedicate the same number of hours to your "side work" if you did it for free (say you're helping out a charity or non-profit org for example). If the answer is yes, then I'd say you just really like the work you do, and since it doesn't appear to be interfering with your family life or other activities, it's not a problem.

I certainly wouldn't be this way if I only made $30/hour doing extra work.

If you're doing the extra work just for the money (and your quote indicates that you are), even if you could live comfortably without it, then I'd say you're just addicted to making money. IMO this is a pretty empty pursuit, and I would think you could probably gain more satisfaction and benefit from another pursuit, whether helping others, maintaining relationships, or learning new skills.

Balance is important in life.

 

[skagen5555]

YOu should pick up golf. It's a great hobby and super addicting. Plus, it'll drain your "scoreboard" REAL fast.

 

[Epic Fail]

so what exactly do you do 'on the side' that gets you way more than $30/hr?

Printing money.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

YOu should pick up golf. It's a great hobby and super addicting. Plus, it'll drain your "scoreboard" REAL fast.

He is in his late twenties not late fifties.

 

[Apple Of Sodom]

so what exactly do you do 'on the side' that gets you way more than $30/hr?

I work mostly in the fields of IT/Consulting/Medical Equipment. Very distinctive field and I can bring the two together. For example, if I can save a client $100,000 on their purchase I usually see a portion of that.

I wouldn't do what I do for free for sure. So the work itself isn't the hobby. Making money is. I would make money for free (wait, that doesn't make sense...)

 

[zCypher]

Nothing is wrong with the fact that you like making money. Sounds like you already have a pretty good balance in your life, unless you're being dishonest in what you're saying.

Think of things you have yet to try in life, since you can obviously afford to do so, maybe you'll find something along the way that will peak your interest as a hobby.

Maybe you just get bored of always doing the same thing. Maybe you need to set yourself some highly ambitious goals? Do something creative. I dunno.

 

[thepd7]

Hey if you spend a lot of time with your kids, travel as much as possible, watch the occassional movie, camp, etc., and just happen to work your ass off then you don't need a hobby, you deserve a medal.

I don't have kids but everything else is me. Unfortunately you make commission and I don't but I will be in sales soon and probably act exactly like you.

For me it's not a money thing it's a provider thing. I'm pretty generous to my friends, love to travel, and help my grandmother out. Being able to do all that is nice.

In other words, there does not appear to be anything wrong with you unless you are neglecting your loved ones which does not seem to be the case.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

to me a hobby is defined as whatever you choose to do in your free time

some people make money with them, though most people, myself included, it works the other way

 

[MJinZ]

IF making money is a hobby, then everyone has the same hobby.

So not really, no. We all like to see numbers in the bank.

 

[Special K]

I've recently gotten into trading simply because letting money sitting in a bank account at 1.5% interest is not a good idea.

It's a good idea if that money represents an emergency fund or money you are saving for a house or other important purchase

Then again, saving, investing, and trading are all different things.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I suppose it is if you don't have to do it, but you do it because you want to.

It's certainly not my hobby. For me, getting paid is just barely enough compensation for having to do work. If I didn't need money, then I wouldn't make it. You do realize that at the end of life you die, right?