As someone with a lifelong passion for equestrian sports, I often think how much easier (and so much cheaper!) my life would be if I’d chosen a cheaper thing to feel so passionate about. Because, honestly, horses cost everything you have - a liver, and a kidney, too. And, although I’m too late to be saved, you might not be. A good way to start looking for inexpensive hobbies would be to learn from other people’s experiences and see what suggestions they have. Of course, we know just the place to do it - this glorious Reddit thread where people share their ideas for cheap hobbies!
So, what kind of fun hobbies does this list have in store? Well, for starters, tons and tons of cheap hobbies to do alone! From something like whittling to perfect your craftsmanship if you’re into handmade stuff, to taking up a pencil to draw, and from walking (yeah, walking! It’s an excellent hobby idea if you love to explore) to running or lifting homemade weights while following a trainer on YouTube. And you know what the best part here is? No matter which one of these cheap hobbies to get into you choose, they are all really useful for personal growth and learning new skills as opposed to just spending your time mindlessly. Oh, and if you’re a person who loves to spend their time in a crowd, how about volunteering? It can be both fun and extremely gratifying.
Right-o, ready to find your next fun, cheap hobby? If so, just scroll down below until you reach the submissions we borrowed from this awesome AskReddit thread. Give your vote to the hobbies that you think deserve to be on top of this list, and share this article with your friends who might also be looking for a new activity to get into!
#21
"Your local library probably has a ton of cool adult programs. The one I work at is frosting beer mugs next week and we play Magic the Gathering twice a month and the library provides cards for anyone who has none."
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13points
#22
"Cross stitch is usually pretty cheap; plus it takes a while to complete pieces, so you get more time out of your money."
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13points
#23
"Volunteering at your favorite charity. I love Leader Dog for the Blind. You get to be around puppies all the time while helping them train to be someone's eyes. Amazing cause and a great time."
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12points
#24
"Bushcraft. Technically don't need anything but the wilderness. Maybe some gloves and a pair of pliers/knives. Cut some bramble or vines and you can start weaving cool shit like baskets. Very addicting hobby IMO. Like you'll probably start off making the same basket over and over just because it's so fun and you don't know how to make anything else."
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12points
#25
"Puzzles!! They’re like $10. Add some good tunes and it’s perfect."
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12points
#26
"Running. I started three years ago doing couch to 5k using a free podcast and wearing an old pair of trainers and trackie bottoms that were covered in paint from decorating. Now I've got more into it I've invested in better trainers, but I buy ex-display models via eBay, and get my running gear from Primark or Aldi (I'm in the UK). I don't use a gym, just run around the streets or by the river, and run at the park run every week, which is free. Now I'm a bit better off financially than when I started, I pay for race entries to local race events (am lucky to have a few close by) and am about to do my first half marathon next week. Really rewarding hobby and you get fit too."
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11points
#27
"You can also transcribe historical documents for the University of Iowa here: http://diyhistory.lib.uiowa.edu/collections/. Some are boring, but if you browse the categories you can find some really interesting ones."
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11points
#28
"Sourdough bread baking. It does cost money for flour but once your starter is mature, you get to cook and eat all the flour so that’s minimal. It sucks a bit the first few weeks as you are trying to get the starter going and having to discard a lot. Even so, I still got a good loaf out of my first bag of flour so it wasn’t a total waste. I have bought a cast iron Dutch Oven at a thrift store but it’s not necessary."
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10points
#30
"Guitar, you can easily get yourself a quality secondhand acoustic for like £30. Best decision I ever made."
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10points
#32
"Card throwing! I picked it up a few years ago, now I can slice small fruit & even cut into watermelons and stuff!"
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9points
#36
"Programming is my choice - you can do it on equipment you already have (a computer), or at a library where there's often free access to a computer or the internet."
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8points
#38
"Harmonica. Specifically, blues harp. Unlike say, a guitar, where you have to spend thousands to get a really good one, the $30 Honer Special 20 you buy will be the exact same instrument that the professionals use. You can fit it in your shirt pocket. You can practice in your car on your commute. You can carry it backpacking. They come in specific keys, and you will eventually want to buy 4 or 5 in different keys for playing along with other musicians. But each key plays the same as the others - learn one and you’ve learned them all."
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8points
