Frugal hobbies

[asmom]

I would like to take up a hobby but almost all of them seem quite expensive or at least more than I am willing to shell out. Even my husband who belongs to a bowling league spends quite a bit of money each year on league fees, tournaments, etc. I did belong to a softball league earlier this year that was quite inexpensive but it only lasted for 8 weeks and I would hardly call it a hobby.

Anybody have a frugal hobby they want to share?

[disneysteve]

There are a lot of hobbies that bring with them an opportunity to monetize what you're doing. Maybe you should focus on something like that. For example, years ago my wife took a cake decorating class. She got pretty good at it and made cakes for all of our daughter's birthdays and many other occasions. Along the way, she also was hired by friends and family to make cakes for their events. The profit she made on those helped defray the cost of materials and supplies that she bought for personal use.

Another example is what she is currently doing - sewing. She started making various fabric items like iPad covers, tote bags, wine bottle holders, and more. As she started showing people things she has made, they started offering to buy them from her and placing orders for specific items. In just a few months, she has had over $500 in sales. Again, that is helping defray the cost of the materials she has purchased to be able to do it all.

For many years, I very actively collected Disney memorabilia. Starting around 1986, I began selling it as well. Long before the internet, I started with a small mail order list that grew into a 40-page illustrated catalog. I also sold at toy and collectibles shows and later online with my own website and then ebay once that came into being. When buying a special item for my own collection, I would often buy a couple of extras. By selling the extras, I trimmed or even totally covered the cost of the one I kept for myself.

When starting up any new hobby, be sure to search around online before buying supplies in your local retail shops. Almost everything can be found cheaper online, especially if you can find it secondhand on ebay or craigslist. Even buying things new can be far cheaper online. My wife used to do a lot of knitting. Needles that were $25 at the local craft store were half that much on ebay brand new. She's also picked up supplies at yard sales and thrift shops and even had friends and family give her stuff they weren't using anymore when they found out that she was a knitter.

Ultimately though, whatever hobby you start needs to be something that you like and enjoy doing.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Coupon clipping and deal shopping? I know a lot of people who love the hunt.

Exercise - running, biking, hiking, weights at home.

Cooking - learn to cook new recipes.

Reading - borrow a book a week

Learn a language. You can take cheap classes or borrow tapes from library.

gardening - at least you can eat it.

organize your home and declutter. Put up new family photos, redecorate for cheap by just cleaning. If I only had the time I'd do all these things.

[kork13]

Exercise - running, biking, hiking, weights at home.

Cooking - learn to cook new recipes.

Reading - borrow a book a week

gardening - at least you can eat it.

These were going to be my first ideas.... Now I have nothing constructive to contribute. lol

[scfr]

I would like to take up a hobby but almost all of them seem quite expensive or at least more than I am willing to shell out. Even my husband who belongs to a bowling league spends quite a bit of money each year on league fees, tournaments, etc. I did belong to a softball league earlier this year that was quite inexpensive but it only lasted for 8 weeks and I would hardly call it a hobby.

Anybody have a frugal hobby they want to share?

Walking dogs. When our dog was alive, he was walked at least twice a day. (When he was young and strong, on the weekends we'd go for long trail walks.) It was good for both of us, and I met a lot of people from the neighborhood that way. Now I walk my neighbor's dog. I buy treats for him, but the cost is both optional and minimal. If you live close to an animal shelter you could walk the shelter dogs.

There are many women in my neighborhood who have walking buddies (human not canine) that they walk with frequently.

[JoeP]

Gardening came to mind, but be warned: it can consume a lot of time, so if time = money you might find yourself stressed and/or overwhelmed!

[ua_guy]

Walking and hiking. They take as long or as short as you want and can be done everywhere. Over the years this has saved me boatloads of money and is something I enjoy very much.

I'm also a tinker-er, if that's a word. I can spend weekends and evenings around the house doing simple little projects that don't require much money--just effort. Sometimes they require money and aren't so simple, but I'm probably saving a ton by doing it myself versus contracting it out.

Reading is also a good one. I can be entertained for hours with a borrowed book or one I picked up for cheap somewhere.