Want to start a hobby? Why not choose one that is frugal?
Some hobbies can get quite expensive. Restoring old cars and scrap booking are two that immediately come to mind. Of course, there are always frugal ways to do things, even for expensive hobbies, but why not choose a hobby that is inherently frugal?
Here are some ideas.
Growing your own food
Gardening can be a fun and worthwhile hobby. There many be a learning curb and challenges; it provides you with fresh air and exercise and gets you out of the house. When you garden to produce your own food, you get the added savings to your household. Think about how expensive good produce is getting, especially produce that is free of pesticides and nasty chemical. Growing your own food doesn’t cost much to get started, and it provides you with a tangible product.
Hunt for treasure
My father recently bought a metal detector. He is really enjoying himself with it. He goes out to parks and local attractions and hunts for his treasure. While the initial cost of a metal detector isn’t exactly frugal, it has already paid for itself with some of the treasure he has found. This hobby also gives him the opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise (just like gardening), as well as meet other people.
Learn to Sew
If you can learn to sew, either by hand or with a machine, you have the makings of a very frugal hobby. You can make your own clothes, bedding and more to save money. Think of how expensive a ready made quilt is, for example. Learn to make one yourself, and not only will you save money, but you will have a family heirloom for generations to come. And if you are really good, you may be able to turn that hobby into your own business.
Mary Ann Romans also writes for the Computing Blog here at Families.com where she shares everything from the latest news on technology to cool downloads and fun websites.
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