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Hey Everyone! Today I’ve got a fantastic post from Jennifer! Jennifer Jones is inspired to teach people to live frugally to help people to take the stress out of their life and live to the fullest. Read more of her writing on The Frugal Mrs Jones.
These days, finding a hobby that won’t leave you broke may feel like an impossible task. It seems that everything costs money and oftentimes, a LOT of money. From equipment to joining fees, service fees, etc., it all adds up and before you know it, you’ve spent your life’s savings on a hobby that isn’t necessarily worth it.
Nevertheless, hobbies are a great way to build your skills and spend your free time, and why let financial worries ruin all your fun, right? The great news is that while many of these hobbies can be expensive, they could actually be very useful in helping you save a ton of money over time.
So without further ado, read below for suggestions on hobbies that your wallet will thank you for.
1. Cooking up a storm
It goes without saying that eating out for dinner every night would put a real dent in your finances. Even getting take-out is costly. With the endless choices on offer now, where you can choose from Chinese, Mexican, fast food, etc., depending on what you in the mood for on a particular night, it can be very tempting to take the easy route and just buy dinner from your local takeout. Afterall, why put in all the effort after a long day when you can buy something that you know you will enjoy?
Well, the answer to this very reasonable question, cooking at home saves money. Like, a ton of money. Knowing how to cook a few basic meals can make all the difference to your budget. And if you slightly bored of your cooking style or want to mix it up a bit, there are plenty of creative and delicious recipes to choose from on Pinterest. Cooking can be a very fun hobby, and what’s better than a fun hobby that could save you a few dollars.
Check out my favourite meal prep recipes for some easy, cheap and healthy meals to cook yourself this week!
2. Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
Home improvements, repairs, gifts – whatever it might be – do it yourself. The internet is full of some of the best and easiest DIY money saving ideas. Thinking of buying a new piece of furniture because the one you currently have is old and you don’t like it anymore? You could rather “do-up” what you already have. In most cases, you can make something old look as good as new, for half the price, by following a step by step guide.
Paying someone else to do work on your home that you could do yourself seems kind of pointless and is often quite expensive. If you’re willing to try, there’s a lot you could take on yourself, rather than hiring a ‘professional.’ The best part is, DIY projects can be very therapeutic and rewarding. Once completed, you feel a real sense of achievement.
3. Camping
Just because you are trying to save money, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t go on holiday. Camping costs a fraction of the price compared to other accommodation. It can get expensive if you want all the “add-ons” but typically speaking, camping on a budget is very doable and a fun way to explore a new place.
Read Next: 7 Fail-Safe Ways to Save Money When You’re Abroad
4. Biking or walking
Initially a bike would set you back a few dollars but in the long run, it will save you a lot of money. And walking? Well, of course, this costs you nothing. Cycling or walking to places will significantly cut down on your transportation costs. Also, if you’re a keen hiker, this is one of the cheapest hobbies out there. Most of the time you can hike a trail for free or a very small cost.
5. Sewing & crafts
Sewing is a hobby that seems to have dropped dramatically over the past few years but it’s one that can be very enjoyable and cost-effective. Learning to sew will not only ensure that you can do your own clothing alterations but if you get really good at it, you could start making your own clothes, and who knows, maybe eventually you could even start selling your creations.
The same concept applies to crafts like knitting, jewellery making, crocheting, and candle making. You could either create crafts as decoration for your home or even as gifts for family and friends.
6. Gardening
With food prices skyrocketing, growing your own food in your very own vegetable garden seems like an easy choice. Home gardening is a hobby that can bring great joy to your life, offers a therapeutic outlet, and of course, save you money. Vegetable seed companies have reported sales that are up between 30-50%, which goes to show that many people are going the route of growing their own gardens.
7. Canning
This hobby may require a lot more time and effort but it can be a lot of fun and cost-effective. Very much like growing your own vegetable garden, learning to can is a great way to produce your own food rather than buying. I don’t know about you, but home canned peaches sound delicious to me.
8. Yard sale shopping
If you enjoy shopping for a bargain, then this one is for you. Just be careful not to buy unnecessary items just for the sake of it because then this hobby could get expensive. But, if you’re looking for a particular product, then check out yard sales, especially if you have a DIY talent that makes you great at fixing up old things.
9. Reading
Reading is possibly the most beneficial hobby to have. Why, you might ask? Well, you can learn how to do just about anything by reading. In fact, you could learn how to do any of the previous suggestions on this list by reading. There are so many self-help books and guides out there that can teach you how to do various things, like how to budget, save money and, cook inexpensive meals, among many other things.
11. Learn how to sell online
Sites like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy are making it exceptionally easy to start your own business and sell your products online. In fact, one of the most lucrative things to learn these days is making money online. The internet has opened up a multitude of ways to earn money online, it doesn’t have to be selling stuff. You could start your own blog, Youtube channel, sell your own ebook, and the list goes on. Find a way to make money online, it’s a hobby that could become very lucrative.
Check out The Selling Family’s free 3-part video course to setting up your very own Amazon FBA!
Your turn – what hobbies do you have that help you save money and still have fun?!