You don’t always have to start a business to make money. You don’t need to buy shares. You don’t need to invest in a high-paying fund.

Sometimes you can turn your hobbies into a viable way to make extra money. Today, I’ll show you three unexpected ways to make extra cash…

Opportunity #1: Did you read comics as a kid? You could have R240,000 sitting in your attic…

Comics and comic-books have risen sharply in value since the stock market crash. Now they are sought after by serious investors. Here are some of the most valuable ones:

* The Golden Era (1930s and 1940s) are most valuable. This period saw the first editions of US comics like Superman, and British comics like The Dandy.

* The Silver Era (1950s and 1960s) is dominated by US-publishers DC Comics and Marvel. They launched SpiderMan, the X-Men and the Incredible Hulk.

* Even comics dating back to only 1995 have been known to sell for R10,000. Look out for the Dark Knight Returns (the new version of Batman, launched in 1987) and the Watchmen.

* Spend at least half a day at a collector’s fair or at a comic shop, and look at back issues of The Comic Journal.

* Torn, marked or well-thumbed comics still hold value. But pristine, mint-condition copies fetch the highest prices.

* Look for editions where famous characters make their first or last appearance. The first-ever Spiderman comic from 1963 is worth up to R320,000 in mint condition. That’s around R240,000.

Opportunity #2: What the rich have always known about investing in wine…

Provided you have the willpower not to drink your investment, investing in wine offers you a serious profit opportunity over 10-20 years. Some wines can deliver good returns after just 5 years.

Here's how you should invest:

* Either buy shares in a particular wine producer, vineyard or region.

* Or buy the actual wine. You can then store it at home, or keep it in a bonded warehouse for protection, insurance and professional care.

* Private client and institutional brokers now offer professional expertise and general support to the less-experienced wine investor.

* Start with a ‘blue chip’ like Bordeaux. It has a track record for quality and improves with age.

Opportunity #3: 5 tips for making money from vintage cars

* Sports racing cars driven at famous events are highly valued.

* Classic and post-war cars are a great investment.

* With older cars you will need to be willing to put in the effort and cost of restoration.

* Start with research. Join clubs, read magazines and attend shows.

* A good place to buy is at an auction. You can see many cars at once, and judge the best investment.