Too often, free time winds up costing us money, whether that means going to the movies, hitting the mall, or paying for an in-demand yoga class. But the truth is, passing time outside of work doesn’t have to be expensive.
Having hobbies can be a smart, creative, and moneywise way to fill your free time. The best endeavors are those that ignite a real passion and that we can’t wait to pursue. And there are numerous hobbies that don’t require investing a lot of money in equipment, materials, or training to get started.
Here, we have compiled a list of 19 fun, fulfilling pursuits that are also typically very affordable.There’s every chance that you will find at least a couple of these inexpensive hobbies to pique your interest.
Questions to Ask Before Starting a Hobby
Before you begin a new hobby, you may want to ask yourself the following questions.
What Is the Cost of the Hobby?
There are many inexpensive hobbies to choose from, so a good place to start is by making a list of the hobbies that spark your interest. From there, you can do some research to determine what the cost of the hobby is and if it fits into your budget (or if you need to pursue a less expensive pastime for now). Something with very specialized instruction, like making gold jewelry or blowing glass, is likely to push your budget limits. You might want to aim for more accessible pursuits to start.
💡 Quick Tip: Help your money earn more money! Opening a bank account online often gets you higher-than-average rates.
Is This Hobby Worth It?
No matter what the price tag of the hobby is, it can be helpful to think about whether or not the costs associated with the hobby are worth the enrichment and enjoyment the pursuit can bring to your life. Some hobbies may cost more, but may also give a higher return on investment if they offer an incredible experience and turbocharge your mood.
What Are the Benefits?
While most hobbies are fun, they can also bring a lot more to the table than just a good time. When evaluating hobbies, it can be helpful to think of what other benefits are associated with them. For example, a fitness-based pursuit is good for your health. Gardening can be a terrific way to connect with nature and clear your head. And a creative endeavor, like painting or photography, can wind up turning into a part-time job or lucrative side hustle.
Could This Hobby Be Cheaper?
If you are considering a hobby and are concerned about cost, you don’t necessarily have to limit yourself only to what would be classified as a cheap pastime. You might instead dive into what speaks to you but find a way to make it less costly.
For example, if you want to ride horses (which can be a very expensive hobby), you could pay to ride a horse by the hour at a local stable instead of buying a horse and paying for all of its care, food, and housing. Or you might find that volunteering at a local stable occasionally earns you some free time on horseback.
Recommended: 39 Passive Income Ideas to Build Wealth in 2022
Will This Hobby Hurt Future Finances?
When considering a hobby, it’s a good idea to take into account what the average cost per month will be. For instance, if you want to take up skiing, consider how it might affect future finances:
• What equipment will you need?
• How much will lessons cost and how many will you likely need?
• What kind of transportation costs will be involved in pursuing skiing?
If a hobby is likely to drain your emergency savings or cause you to take on credit card debt, then it may be too expensive to pursue. Instead, you may want to do some research into more affordable hobby ideas (there’s plenty of inspiration below.)
Get up to $300 when you bank with SoFi.
No account or overdraft fees. No minimum balance.
Up to 4.00% APY on savings balances.
Up to 2-day-early paycheck.
Up to $2M of additional FDIC insurance.
19 Hobbies That Are Fun and Inexpensive
A cheap hobby can be just as fun and rewarding as an expensive hobby. Let’s take a look at some inexpensive yet highly enjoyable pastimes.
1. Gardening
Spending time outdoors feels good; research has shown it can improve your mood, putting you in a more positive, peaceful frame of mind. Gardening is also a great way to make your home more attractive and enjoyable to spend time in. Try planting flower seeds in window boxes or creating a windowsill herb garden to start.
2. Camping
Travel can be an expensive hobby, but camping can be done on a budget and scratch that travel itch. After all, renting a campsite for a night is typically cheaper than booking a hotel. Plus the sound of the birds and the view of the constellations at night can be priceless.
3. Discovering New Music
Instead of going to see only famous musicians play at large stadiums (ka-ching), try a creative way to save some money and check out some more affordable and unique local musicians. You’ll support the local music scene, get out of the house, and enjoy live entertainment in one fell swoop. What’s more, many towns have free concerts in warmer weather.
4. Cooking
Learning to cook well is not only an affordable hobby, it’s also a great way to save money on food by making you less tempted to dine out. There are many ways to do this, including taking low-cost local classes, watching free videos on YouTube or public broadcasting shows, and simply looking up recipes online and teaching yourself some new skills.
5. Painting
There’s no reason we need to leave arts and crafts behind once we finish elementary school. Spending some quiet time with a paintbrush in hand can be very relaxing. Whether you use oils, acrylics, or watercolors is totally up to you, as is the subject matter — which could be anything from a self-portrait to a landscape to an abstract canvas. Again, you can find videos online, inexpensive books, and local classes that will teach you how to use basic materials in new ways.
6. Drawing
Drawing is a way to tap into your artistic side and only requires paper and a pencil. Or you might choose to buy a basic set of pastels or charcoal sticks (a dozen will set you back just a few dollars; perfect for trying out new shading techniques).
7. Working Out and Exercising
Walking, swimming in a lake, or playing pickleball are all fun, inexpensive hobbies that can help keep you fit and healthy. While some fitness pursuits, like private Pilates lessons, can be pricey, there are also options that are absolutely free. (But if Pilates calls to you, check out free online videos first.)
8. Starting a Podcast
Are you passionate about a topic, say, local politics, fiction, or travel? Starting a podcast can help you share your knowledge and find a community with similar interests. This can be a low-cost project; if you have a computer, you can get started experimenting. You can then decide if you want to invest in a microphone, editing software, and a podcast hosting platform.
9. Learning Smartphone Photography
Photography was once an expensive hobby, but you can skip all the pricey equipment and learn to get really good at smartphone photography. You may find that local nature centers offer free classes in photographing nature or wildlife. Simply shooting local architecture, bicycle races, and other areas of interest and playing with cropping and filtering can unleash your creativity.
10. Learning an Instrument
Another creative outlet is learning to play a musical instrument. If you have an instrument gathering dust, brush it off. Or check local Facebook groups, Craigslist, and freecycle sites to find one on the cheap.
11. Volunteering
Giving to the community may not feel like a hobby, but choosing a cause that matters to you — such as volunteering with animals or tutoring school-age kids — can be completely engaging.
12. Visiting a Museum
Interested in becoming an art connoisseur? Museums change their exhibits all the time. Consider signing up for a membership to get exclusive invites to new exhibits and special events. Or scope out which nights or days offer free admission; many museums offer this kind of perk. Local gallery openings are another option that’s free and fun and can elevate your knowledge of and interest in the arts.
13. Learning to Dance
You know what the song says about “the rhythm’s gonna get you.” Why not indulge or jump-start your love of dance? Whether it’s at home or in a dance club, you can start simply by hitting the floor. Or many Y’s and other local centers offer inexpensive classes in ballroom, ballet, tango, and other styles of dance.
14. Fishing
Fishing can be a fun and peaceful way to connect with nature. Saving on groceries is a fun bonus of this hobby. Few things can beat a fresh-caught trout dinner.
15. Learning a Language
Get ready for that international vacation you’re saving for by learning a new language. Even if you don’t have a trip planned, building your foreign language skills can help boost your brain power by creating new neural pathways. And there are a host of apps (whether free or for a low fee) that can make this pursuit easy and fun.
16. Learning How to Sew
It takes time to master sewing, but doing so can be an almost meditative practice. Plus there are cool new trends to try, like sashiko, a beautiful form of Japanese mending. What’s more, building your skills with a needle and thread could save you pricey trips to the tailor.
17. Doing Calligraphy
Calligraphy is both a pretty and practical hobby to pursue. Wow your next dinner party guests with handmade name cards. Or offer to do the invitations for your best friend’s engagement party. All you need is pen, ink, and paper.
18. DIY Projects
Save money and upgrade your home at the same time by mastering DIY projects. Books and online tutorials can teach you how to build shelving, retile a backsplash, and more. Also, if you are a homeowner and one of your money goals is to sell your home at a profit, this can be a terrific path forward.
19. Joining a Club
There’s no shortage of local clubs you can join thanks to online meetup sites. Whether you’re looking for a hiking buddy or a group to practice a language with, you can likely find a group to suit your needs. All kinds of options are available. You might find a coffee-lovers’ group that gathers on weekends to test-drive new cafes; it could be a fun, frugal way to caffeinate and expand your social circle.
20. Starting a YouTube Channel
If video appeals to you, starting a YouTube channel can be a great way to make friends and earn some extra money from home. Whether you want to create videos of unboxing and reviewing products, or you’d like to share your knowledge of pro sports, go for it.
21. Starting a Blog
Or, you might lean into the written word with a blog on any topic that appeals. This can be a great, no- or low-cost creative outlet that connects you to others with similar interests. You might share poetry you write, chronicle your family history, or share your adventures training your new pup. The choice is yours.
22. Hiking
Need more ideas for things to do for fun with no money? Get some fresh air and exercise by exploring different hiking trails. As an added bonus, hiking can be a free hobby. Hanging out in nature (what some call forest bathing) can also be a great way to decompress and build mindfulness into your daily life.
23. Golfing
A fun way to stay active and social is to make a plan with friends to hit the golf course. You may worry that this will be a pricey endeavor, but public courses make it more affordable. What’s more, you may be able to use a local resident’s card (the kind you get at your town office or recreation department) to make it even cheaper. Also consider shopping garage sales for used clubs.
24. Upcycling Your Clothing
Use those newfound sewing skills to upcycle old clothes that need a little love and attention or transform them into something totally new. Upcycling is part of the reuse, recycle, repurpose movement. You might crop a pair of pants into shorts, or turn a dress into a blouse and/or a skirt. Some creative types save favorite worn-out clothes, then use the fabrics to create a quilt or pillow cover.
25. Playing Board Games
Board games aren’t just for kids anymore — there are tons of unique options for adults, and they offer a great way to entertain yourself as well as guests. You may also find no-cover game nights at your local pub, which can be a fun and inexpensive way to socialize. Who knows? You might be a Trivial Pursuit champion.
26. Running
One of the cheapest hobbies out there is running, especially if you already own a pair of athletic shoes. It can be a great way to spend time outdoors and can help improve your health. There are plenty of digital ways to help tap your motivation, like the popular low-cost “Couch to 5K” program for beginners.
27. Learning Photography
After getting good at smartphone photography, consider taking an online class or local community college class on the art of photography. Bargain-priced cameras can often be found online (check eBay) and at local second-hand shops.
28. Flying a Kite
Parents may be looking for a fun activity for the whole family that doesn’t cost much. Why not master the art of flying a kite? And it’s not just for those with kids. Anyone can have a great afternoon watching a kite take flight and stay aloft in a good breeze.
Recommended: 27 Cheap Date Night Ideas
29. Teaching a Pet Tricks
Pet parents can find ways to be entertained and bond with their critter by teaching it new tricks. Of course, dogs can be trained to do a variety of “shake” and “roll over” maneuvers, but pet birds and other animals can also learn new skills.
30. Geocaching
Geocaching is a fun way to explore the outdoors. It’s a pursuit in which, using an app or GPS, you find hidden “geocaches,” or containers that hold notes and small gifts. These are typically in parks and nature preserves. You can hide your own caches, too. An inexpensive hobby that is akin to a spirited scavenger hunt, geocaching can be engrossing for both individuals and families, while also connecting you with a community of fellow adventurers.
The Financial Benefits of a Cheaper Hobby
The financial benefits of having a cheap hobby are two-fold. Not only is having a low-cost hobby an inexpensive way to have fun, but hobbies can keep us busy and distracted which can help us avoid spending temptations.
Recommended: Different Ways to Earn More Interest on Your Money
Managing Finances With SoFi
There are plenty of affordable hobbies, so take your time and try a few to discover which will keep you feeling fulfilled. If you’re looking to save up funds to invest in a new hobby, the right banking partner can help you manage and grow your money.
Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.
FAQ
What hobby should I pick up?
There’s no right hobby to adopt. Every individual needs to pursue a hobby that excites them. That said, many people enjoy creative endeavors (think photography or painting), athletic pursuits (running, hiking), or pastimes that channel their interests and connect with a larger audience, such as podcasting or blogging.
How can I budget for a hobby?
Budgeting for a hobby can require doing a bit of research first. Only once someone knows what their hobby will cost can they then create a budget for it. When you know the costs, work to keep them as low as possible (say, by buying second-hand equipment, if needed). You can then divide the cost by the number of months you are willing to save. Put aside that amount in a high-yield savings account to earn some interest until you have enough saved up.
Can cheap hobbies make me money?
Certain hobbies can make someone money if they turn them into a side hustle. Starting a podcast or YouTube channel, writing, and photography are all great examples of hobbies that can become lucrative.
Photo credit: iStock/South_agency
SoFi® Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. ©2024 SoFi Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.00% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.
As an alternative to direct deposit, SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant. SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits are not eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits.
SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.00% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.
SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.
Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.
Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 12/3/24. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
*Awards or rankings from NerdWallet are not indicative of future success or results. This award and its ratings are independently determined and awarded by their respective publications.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.
SOBNK-Q324-026