It’s easy to get caught up in the cycle of going to work, shopping for things you don’t need, and waiting until the next payday to do it all over again. But what if I told you that you could do tons of fun things without spending a dime?
That’s right: cheap hobbies suit just about any budget. It’s easy to think that only expensive hobbies are fun, but you don’t have to break the bank to have a hobby. Some of the most satisfying hobbies require nothing more than your time and imagination.
This is CashBlog’s official list of 17 fun and cheap hobbies that can save you money. The list is in no particular order.
1. Thrift Shopping
You’re probably already familiar with thrift shopping, but if not, you should consider trying it. Thrift stores are a great way to save money and get unique pieces for your wardrobe or home. Many people are looking for affordable alternatives to designer clothes and furniture and want to avoid paying the total price! If you love finding deals and vintage items, then here are some essential things to keep in mind:
- Shop around. There are many thrift stores—the best one will be the one with what you need at an affordable price. Before visiting the store, check online reviews to see what items they carry and ask what payment options are available. Also, remember that if it doesn’t feel right, don’t buy from them!
- Be realistic about what condition second-hand goods will be in when purchasing them. There’s no guarantee some stains won’t bleed through onto other clothes during washing.
2. Blogging
Blogging is one of the best ways to express yourself and meet other people with similar interests. If you’re looking for a hobby that is cheap, fun, and easy (you don’t even have to leave your house), blogging is what you should be doing.
We have a guide about how to start a blog.
You can blog about anything you like. It might bring you joy and satisfaction if something you write helps someone improve their life or get in better shape. You can also make money by monetizing your blog.
3. Reading
Reading can be a cheap hobby. Many free or cheap books are available, and it’s an activity that doesn’t require much money or equipment. It also helps you relax, improves your vocabulary, learns new things, and gain knowledge.
Reading is a great way to unwind after a long day at work or school. You can read a book before bedtime for some relaxing time alone—not having to look at other people!
Reading can help you fall asleep faster since you’re using your mind instead of letting it wander aimlessly.
4. Journaling
Journaling is a great hobby to adopt if you’re looking for something inexpensive and low-commitment. You can write about anything you want, from your daily routine to your deepest thoughts, and there are no rules on how often or how long it should take!
If you’d like to keep a record of your life’s events, journaling can be an excellent way to do that. Write down the details of any critical moments in your life: vacations with friends or family members; birthdays; holidays; or even just regular old Tuesdays when nothing happened! In addition to improving your mental health, writing about what’s on your mind can provide insight into who/what makes you “you.”
5. Repurposing
Repurposing is taking old items and turning them into something new. It’s a great way to save money and use things you already have.
You can paint an old table and add some decorative trim to turn it into a cute little side table for your living room or bedroom. You can also repurpose items like glass jars as vases or candle holders instead of throwing them out when they’re empty (or even broken!).
There are many ways to find items to repurpose:
- Thrift store shopping – You can find lots of cool stuff at thrift stores, like dishes, jewelry, furniture, and more!
- Garage sales – People often sell unwanted things at garage sales because they don’t have time or space for them in their homes anymore.
6. Baking & Cooking
Baking and cooking are great ways to relax, eat delicious food, and spend time with friends. This hobby is perfect for people who don’t have much money but still want to prepare meals for themselves or others. You can also learn new recipes and techniques that can be applied in other aspects of your life. If you’re interested in making cleaning products at home instead of buying them from the store, there are tons of tutorials online.
7. Learn something new
If you have the time and energy, learning a new skill or language will keep your mind sharp. You can take classes at your local community college or find something online to learn (like how to play the trumpet).
It’s essential to keep your mind open to what you want to learn. If it’s been on your bucket list for years, now is the time to take that trip down memory lane with an adult coloring book.
If music isn’t really in your wheelhouse, but you still want an instrument or a keyboard, consider taking up an instrument like guitar or piano.
The same goes for those looking into learning new languages; try Rosetta Stone if you need help finding affordable options. For those who aren’t ready yet (or don’t have enough time), consider picking up some cheap books on Amazon instead. There are plenty available, and they won’t cost nearly as much as enrolling in college courses would cost.
8. Gardening
Gardening can be an inexpensive and rewarding hobby. You can start as simply as growing some flowers in a pot on your balcony or patio, but if you like it, you can spend hundreds of dollars on gardening tools and supplies. If you have the space, start your garden at home or join a community garden with already established plots.
Gardening has many benefits: it allows you to get outdoors and exercise while working with living things; it’s meditative and relaxing; it helps relieve stress, and it gives you something beautiful to look at every day (or whatever season).
9. Coin Collecting
Coin collecting is something many people enjoy. It can be fun to find rare coins and assemble a collection of unique, interesting coins. Each represents a different time and era in history.
You can also collect regular coins and earn money from it. It can be fun if you make a game out of it. For example, if you want exercise and you also want to make it fun, you can do a daily walk at a shopping center, like a mall, and walk by each of the coin-operated machines and check for coins. You’d be surprised how many you can find, and how much fun it can be to see how much you collect each day. Remember, just 10 dimes makes a dollar, so it all adds up.
10. Hiking
One of the best ways to get exercise and enjoy nature is hiking. Hiking can be done in groups or alone and can occur in various environments, from mountains to deserts. You don’t need expensive equipment, either—just some sturdy, comfortable shoes, water, and sunscreen if you’re going out during the day.
Depending on your fitness level, hiking may require more effort than other activities like jogging or biking. The great thing about hiking is that you can pick up speed as you go along, so it’s not always slow!
10. Camping
Camping is an excellent cheap hobby for you to enjoy during the summer. You can go camping with friends or family; it doesn’t have to be expensive. There are many different types of camping gear that you can buy, including tents and sleeping bags. Consider renting from a local store or borrowing from family members who already have the equipment you need. Camping is fun for everyone!
11. Dancing
Dancing is a great hobby to adopt. It can be done in the comfort of your home or at a local community center, and it’s fun for all ages. There are many different dance styles to choose from: jazz, hip-hop, salsa, and belly dancing are just a few examples. If you’re new to dancing, don’t worry—plenty of free online tutorials will teach you how!
Dance alone or with friends; dance on your own or while listening to music. It doesn’t matter what kind of music (or no music) you prefer because dancing is good exercise either way!
12. Yoga
Yoga can help you relax and get in shape. You’ll be stretched, toned, and maybe even lose some weight—all while getting your blood pumping. Plenty of YouTube videos will teach you the basics if you enjoy yoga but don’t have access to a studio (e.g., “How not to injure yourself doing yoga poses”).
Yoga is also a great way to focus on your body and mind. There are many different types of yoga, each emphasizing different aspects of mental health—yoga for stress relief or anxiety management; flow-based yoga for flexibility; ashtanga for strength training; etc. Your local gym might have classes available if they don’t already offer them! Just go with whatever feels suitable for you because everyone’s body reacts differently when trying new things out.
13. Rollerblading
Rollerblading is a fun, cheap hobby that you can do almost anywhere. It’s also one of the fastest-growing sports in America. If you want to try this popular pastime, start by learning how to rollerblade properly. Here’s what you need:
- A good pair of rollerblades—most come with wheels at least 60 mm wide and have plenty of ankle support and padding. Make sure they fit your foot well before buying them!
- A helmet so that if you fall while skating around. You’ll learn more from it when accidents happen than if they don’t happen at all!
- Protective gear like wrist guards or knee pads may not always be necessary. However, they’re still recommended to help prevent injuries while learning new tricks off ramps or curbside ledges.
14. Handicraft
Handicraft is a fun hobby, but it can be challenging to start. To get you started with your handicrafts, here are some tips:
- Make gifts for family, friends, and neighbors. For example, you could make them pillows out of old clothing that they’ve outgrown or unused kitchen appliances that they no longer need.
- Sell your handicrafts at craft fairs! Etsy shops selling macaroni art sculptures or bathroom accessories made from old shoes will benefit from this!
15. Go to a museum
Going to a museum can be a fun, cheap activity for you and your friends. You might even enjoy it more if you go alone. Many museums around the world offer free admission to their exhibits and galleries. The following list includes just some of these museums:
- The Museum of Modern Art (New York City, USA)
- The Tate Modern (London, Great Britain)
- National Gallery of Art (Washington DC, USA)
16. Volunteer at a local community center or charity
Volunteering at a local community center or charity is yet another cheap and fun hobby to adopt. You can volunteer anywhere from 2-4 hours a week, depending on what you’re looking to get out of it. You can help with office work, gardening, or even fundraising. Volunteering is a fantastic way to meet new people and have fun!
17. Slacklining
Slacklining is a cheap and fun way to get outside and enjoy nature. It’s more than just fun, though—it can be a great workout! Slacklining is an activity that involves trying to balance the line while walking across it. Almost anywhere is a good place to do this hobby: your backyard, the park, the beach, or even your living room!
If you’re looking for something new, consider giving slacklining a shot! As you exercise and meet new people, you’ll also enjoy nature. It’s also easy on the wallet: All you need is some good old elastic rope (maybe an extra pair of socks).
Cheap Hobbies: Conclusion
Consider what makes you feel good and happy when you’re doing them. You can jog after work (or on weekends) in a park near your home if it’s physical, like walking or running. You can also play tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeons & Dragons or Pathfinder with your friends instead of always going out. These are just a few ideas for adopting cheap hobbies.
Fun cheap hobbies.
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