The idea of starting a new hobby can scare you. Maybe you have no idea where to start or are interested in a business that requires expensive equipment. In fact, it is possible to try out many hobbies without spending a lot. To find a low-cost pastime, choose something that interests you, that doesn't require a lot of materials to get started, and that is available in your area.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Finding Ideas
Step 1. Start a collection
You can start many different collections without spending anything. One way to do this is to leave the house. Look for rocks, plant leaves and flowers, or insects to preserve and display. Take a walk on the beach and look for sea glass. If you prefer, you can start investing in items you'd like to collect, for example by storing bottle caps you found on the floor or taken from drinks.
- You can get other people to help enrich your collection by asking them to bring you coins or glass balls with snow when they get home.
- You can also buy a collectible book or join a club dedicated to your passion.
Step 2. Start an art or craft project
You will often be able to do this with few materials. You probably already have what you need to write, sculpt, draw and create other forms of artistic expression. In addition, you can go to various shops, including flea markets, to purchase low-cost materials such as wood, fabrics or recycled metals.
- Search for craft projects on sites like craftster.org or Pinterest and join Reddit art groups.
- Search the house before you start. Often unused materials can give you project ideas or help you complete one at a low cost. For example, you can use old appliances, lumber, fabric, or paint for the miniatures.
- Stores offer inexpensive materials, such as coloring books or paint by number kits. Hobby shops also have kits that allow you to undertake activities such as wood carving or model building.
Step 3. Study something new
Think of a topic you'd like to learn, then look for local organizations that offer courses. Free courses on the most varied topics, from dance to programming, could be organized from the local library or from the municipality. Alternatively, you can take university or private lessons with free access.
- On sites like khanacademy.org and coursera.org you can find free lessons on many different topics.
- You can start with Youtube, podcasts and phone applications. For example, if you want to learn a language, try the free Duolingo app.
Step 4. Listen to the music
Youtube offers tons of music that you can listen to for free. Also, you can discover songs you like using radio stations and services like Pandora and Spotify. By taking the time to explore unfamiliar music, you can find a new hobby without buying any albums.
After discovering new songs, you can visit a discussion site like sputnikmusic.com to rate them and write reviews
Step 5. Play
You can start playing even before buying an instrument. On sites like karasongs.com you can find many free karaoke tracks. If you prefer to learn an instrument, you can borrow it or buy a used one, then try to learn self-taught with beginner manuals, or on sites like guitarlessons.com
Step 6. Venture into nature
The outside world offers many hobbies that you can pursue without breaking the bank. Explore your surroundings by hiking or geocaching. Go bird watching, stargazing, go camping, or garden at home.
Visit geocaching.com to download the coordinates of capsules that you can find in nature
Step 7. Become more active
Look for activities to do in your area, such as amateur leagues or yoga classes. In many cases, these are free or low-cost events, organized by the community. You can also organize and find football or basketball matches on public pitches. Ride your bike, learn to juggle, or sign up for a martial arts class.
Step 8. Learn a game
Games offer a type of competition similar to sport and are often shared activities by a community. In groups dedicated to them you will often have the opportunity to play board games and video games without having to spend anything. In some cases libraries, schools or oratories organize playgroups for children and adults. If you prefer, you can play on the internet or challenge people you know to cards.
Use a site like meetup.com to find out what groups exist in your area
Part 2 of 3: Choosing an Inexpensive Hobby
Step 1. Choose an activity that fits your personality
If you already have a personal interest in mind that you'd like to explore, you know where to start. Otherwise, try to think of a hobby that might intrigue you. Think about what makes you feel good and what makes you creative. What do you enjoy? What did you like to do in the past? Start with these answers and start considering what low-cost hobbies you could pursue.
Remember that you can change your mind on the run. Don't be afraid to try more than one hobby. Borrow equipment or sell what you no longer need
Step 2. Choose a hobby that you can monetize
A pastime that earns you money pays for itself. Many of these activities, such as embroidery, do not require a large initial investment. Others, such as buying and selling, may require a higher initial cost, but over time you will recover the amount spent. Many hobbies can make you money.
The first goal of a hobby must be fun. For example, when you blog or make videos for YouTube, don't expect to receive any money. It may never happen
Step 3. Transform an activity you already do
Something you are already forced to do can become a hobby. To eat you have to cook, but cooking can become a passion by trying recipes that use inexpensive ingredients. These activities can enrich your life by giving more value to small expenses.
Other examples include searching for coupons and shopping at flea markets to make saving a hobby
Step 4. Ask the experts how to get started
Go online, to teachers and enthusiasts, and ask the experts in your field what is the minimum cost of the materials you need to get started. This helps you figure out if a hobby is within your budget. Often you will be surprised that you don't need all the equipment you thought you would.
Many will give you tips on how to save, because they were once in the same position as you
Part 3 of 3: Make Your Hobby Less Expensive
Step 1. Use the materials you have at home
Shop around before starting a new hobby. What can you use among the objects that are in the house? With DIY you can repair your home, a computer or make objects to give or sell.
- Use your imagination. Use the materials at your disposal with creativity. For example, you can make a figurine out of salvaged wood or metal. If necessary, search the internet for ideas.
- You can also write or keep a diary without spending anything, using sheets of paper, notebooks or a computer.
Step 2. Buy inexpensive materials
You don't have to spend big bucks on your hobbies. Many DIY projects require very little expense. Go online to sites like eBay or wholesalers and buy a lot of materials together. You can also buy used clothes or pick up scrap fabrics from fabric stores if you like to sew.
- A low-cost business in technology is repairing old or broken computers. You can buy an old model or have a friend give it to you.
- Selling self-made products with inexpensive materials allows you to continue funding your hobbies.
- You can always find beginner kits, such as paint by numbers sets or guitars that cost a fraction of the official models. Look for them in specialty stores.
Step 3. Borrow equipment
The cost of the equipment doesn't have to stop you from pursuing a hobby. At the beginning, to understand if you like it, you can rent the materials you need. If you then want to make the activity a permanent hobby, you can continue to borrow the equipment until you decide to buy it. Talk to people who are into the same hobby as you to find stores to rent equipment, or try asking people you know.
- Renting is a very useful solution for outdoor hobbies, such as skiing or kayaking.
- Renting can also help you solve specific problems in your hobbies, for example if you need a particular tool that you will only use once in metalworking or gardening.
- In groups you will often have the opportunity to borrow equipment. For example, in a board game group, you can enjoy games brought in by other members without having to buy any.
- Computer program manufacturers also offer thirty-day trials of their products. For example, if you like photo editing, you can download Photoshop and only buy it after the trial period ends.
Step 4. Get used or beginner equipment
If you can't or don't want to borrow the materials, you can purchase them. Thanks to the internet, there are many sites dedicated to the sale of used items. This makes it very easy to find what you want, from musical instruments to a soldering iron, to books and video games that allow you to try or continue a hobby.
Step 5. Get help
Many hobbies start with a parent or friend bringing home a gift. If you are considering pursuing or continuing a hobby, someone may be able to help you. This advice is particularly useful in the case of collections. If you are interested in stamps, you can ask friends and family to keep some when they go abroad and bring them back when they get home.
Online communities are also great starting points for starting a hobby. For example, some people are willing to send you stamps or trade with yours
Advice
- It usually doesn't take long to start a hobby, and if you really enjoy a business, you'll find it's money well spent.
- Share a hobby with other people. This makes it more fun and helps you save money at the same time.
