BUDGETING

20+ Hobby Ideas That Won’t Break Your Budget

A hobby can be any activity that you do for fun, relaxation or to connect with like-minded people. It’s what you do to fill your free time outside of your responsibilities like work or school. There are a wide variety of hobbies that are inexpensive or can be altered to fit into your financial plan. Here are more than 20 hobby ideas to try covering outdoor activities, creative arts, relaxation and community building.

Outdoor activities

Build up your immune system and enjoy some fresh air while trying the following:

• Going on walks
• Hiking
• Birdwatching
• Running
• Gardening
• Bicycling

Creative arts

Let the right hemisphere of your brain jump into the action by trying:

• Journaling
• Scrapbooking
• Coloring
• Sketching and doodling
• Photography
• Creative writing
• DIY crafts with items you already own
• Making music

Relaxation

Work on reducing stress by:

• Reading a book
• Listening to music or a podcast
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Doing a puzzle
• Baking
• Cooking

Community building

Give back and engage with those around you by:

• Joining a club or league such as a pickleball league or a board game club
• Volunteering your time and skills

How much should I spend on my hobbies?

One of the biggest points I want to highlight is that it's possible to make almost any hobby expensive. Finding the best hobby is as much about doing something you enjoy as it is about choosing a budget for the activity that makes sense for you. Take photography, for example. You can either invest in a fancy camera and high-definition lenses that could cost thousands of dollars, or you could use your phone's camera and find free editing tutorials for no additional cost. Something I see often is people spending large sums of money on new hobbies upfront only to lose interest a few months later. My advice would be to start with the cheapest option if you are testing out a new hobby. You can always re-evaluate your interests and budget later!

Remember that sticking to your budget doesn’t have to be boring. You can still have fun and explore your interests and passions while staying on track with your financial goals!

Sources:

https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/frugal-hobbies-on-a-budget/

https://www.scienceofpeople.com/social-hobbies/