Do you find that you have too much free time, or are you spending too much time scrolling social media and watching too much Netflix? It's time to switch things up and invest your time in active pursuits that can help you learn a new skill or develop a new interest, fostering personal growth and a sense of fulfillment.
However, money might be tight, so you need activities that are both budget-friendly and fun to do. We've compiled a list of 14 awesome hobbies that you can do that won't break the bank but will provide hours of fun, sparking your excitement and eagerness to try them out.
1. Yoga
Are you tired of being unable to touch your toes and having aches and pains due to tight muscles? Yoga might be the perfect hobby for you to take up. The best part is that you don’t have to join a studio to perform this ancient practice. It's accessible to everyone, regardless of their fitness level or age.
Countless YouTube videos are available from excellent instructors who practice Ashtanga, Kundalini, Bikram, and simple Flow Yoga—all for free! The only upfront cost is purchasing a mat and possibly yoga blocks to make your practice more comfortable. Your muscles will thank you.
2. Drawing
Drawing is a wonderful hobby that won’t break the bank and will bring you many hours of relaxation and fun. The only upfront investment will be purchasing a few sketchpads and a great set of pencils. And that’s unnecessary if you’re okay with using regular paper and pencils you already have in your home.
Again, YouTube has some great, accessible, and easy-to-follow tutorials on drawing for beginners. From there, you can hone your skills. Who knows, you might become the next acclaimed children’s book illustrator.
3. Making Origami
If you’re in the market for a new and affordable hobby, learning how to make origami might just be the perfect hobby for you. With little to no initial cost, you, too, can learn how to make swans and butterflies from small pieces of paper.
Your local library will most likely have a book or two on the subject for you to check out, and any paper you have lying around the house will suffice. You can even use a newspaper.
4. Volunteering
Selecting a cause that is near and dear to your heart and volunteering for it is a fantastic way to spend some free time and meet new people along the way. So, essentially, you’re getting a twofer (two for one): pastime enjoyment of giving back to your community and friendship. If you ask me, this is an awesome approach to picking up a new hobby that costs you nothing except your time.
5. Magic Tricks
Tap into your inner child and pull out that love for magic by honing your magician skills. You can learn basic magic skills for beginners from books you can check out from the library or YouTube tutorials. Your only cost will be the props you need for the tricks. That is if you don’t already have them hanging around the house.
6. Writing
Learning to write or even improving your writing skills is a cost-effective and fun way to spend your free time. There are multiple online publications dedicated to teaching this skill that you can access if you want guidance.
You can even hone your drawing and writing skills and create a new graphic novel that will knock everyone’s socks off. You never know unless you try it!
7. Plant Resuscitation
Plant resuscitation is my hobby, and it’s fabulous. It began accidentally but has become an obsession while costing me very little. I joined a couple of social media neighborhood groups where people give away or sell items.
People often give old plants away because they can’t care for them or aren’t being successful, and the plant is one step away from death. I rescue them and bring them back to life. My costs are my time, dedication to learning about the plants which is always done online, and possibly new soil, pots, and specific types of fertilizer.
8. Meditation
Practicing meditation takes time and effort, as you must learn the correct techniques to reach that higher plane of existence. You can join a local community that teaches and practices meditation together or attempt to learn it on your own through online resources.
Phone applications like Calm require a subscription but provide a plethora of recorded guidance, from obtaining enlightenment to meditating to relieve stress and anxiety.
9. Mentoring
Signing up to be a mentor in your community is a great way to spend your time. Not only will you make a positive impact, but you very well could be impacted by the ones you mentor. Like volunteering, figure out which areas you are most passionate and well versed in and reach out to local organizations with mentoring programs.
Maybe it’s being a Big Brother or Big Sister or providing professional career mentoring to new graduates. There are many options available.
10. DIY Projects
Tackle those home improvement projects by doing them yourself and learning new skills along the way. Perhaps it’s overwhelming to think about all the handyman or woman projects around the house that must be addressed, so you keep putting them off.
If you have free time on your hands and are looking for something to do, now is the time to hop to it and get to spackling, caulking, and fixing the leaky faucet. YouTube is your friend for these activities.
11. Cooking and Baking
I love to bake, but I wasn’t always that great at it. I could do the basics, but when the pandemic came, I had more free time, so I challenged myself to improve my skills. Baking and cooking are fairly inexpensive hobbies, and you have to eat so spending money on this hobby is worth it.
Have you always wanted to try making a cheesecake? Now’s the time to do it. Juniors in New York has a great recipe. If you prefer cooking over baking, get a new cookbook or subscribe to Seasonal Cravings and challenge yourself to make a new recipe every week.
12. Watercolor Painting
Taking up watercolor painting is another prime example of a reasonably low-cost hobby that will bring you hours of fun. You will have to purchase brushes, paints, and the proper watercolor paper initially, but you shouldn’t have to pay for classes at first. Utilize YouTube once again for beginner watercolor tutorials. Who knows–you might be a budding Picasso.
13. Frisbee Golf
If you’re looking for a more active hobby that requires spending time outside, frisbee or disc golf might be up your alley. Unlike traditional golf, most disc golf courses have no green fees and are free to play, so no financial obstacle prevents people from playing.
You will have to purchase the discs, but you can get those second-hand from various online retailers or check your local social media groups. Frisbee golf can be played solo or with friends, making it an even better hobby.
14. Herb Growing
Combine the cooking hobby with herb growing, and you'll spend even more time preparing excellent meals with the fresh herbs you grew with your own two hands. Select herbs you enjoy the most–basil, oregano, thyme, sage, etc, and plant them in cute little containers you have lying around your house or ones you can pick up at the dollar store.
Save money by lining your window sills with beautiful and aromatic plants. No more last-minute trips to the market for herbs-you'll always have fresh ones at your fingertips, ready to elevate your cooking.
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