Cheap Hobbies You Can Start Right Now

Is anyone else exhausted of ranting to a friend about feeling a little bored at home and hearing something along the lines of this: “You just need a new hobby.” There’s one thing that people don’t seem to mention when this topic comes up: hobbies can be very expensive. Spending hundreds of dollars on dance classes you’re not sure you’ll really like or strapping on roller skates in fear you’ll break your wrist everyday is not as easy as whoever is giving you this advice thinks it is. 

But something we may not think about in this discussion is that hobbies don’t HaveIt is not necessary to be so expensive. There are many cheap hobbies that you can choose from. All you need to do is get started.

You can transform your time with a cheap hobby. They’ll give you something to look forward to after a long day at work or something to do on a lazy weekend morning. They’re fun, can certainly be integrated into your self-care routine, and give you something else to do than scroll through TikTok all day. Personally, I know I’m ready for a new hobby when I’m feeling a little blah with everyday life and need a refresh. If this sounds a bit like you right now, we’ve got some cheap hobbies below to get you started ASAP.

1. Get started with a crochet project

The best response to anyone giving you a compliment on a super cute beanie, scarf or pair of gloves is, “Thanks, I made it myself!” A hobby that allows you to multitask, crocheting is a great outlet to keep your hands and mind busy. You can listen to your favorite podcast and brew your favorite cup (or coffee) of tea. End your day with a relaxing bath. The best part? You’ll have a completed project by the end of it. 

Crochet isn’t as difficult as it seems. There are many benefits to crochet. Tons You can find a lot of YouTube tutorials to help you make blankets in no time. Ask our Managing Editor. She watched over a dozen videos (beginning with this one), went shopping at Michaels, and made significant progress on her blanket.

2. Try to read more books.

So you were a big reader growing up but have kind of let life get in the way, or you’ve never really read but would Love To get started. Or maybe you’re already an avid reader but need a little extra push to make it fun again. No matter where you are on your reading journey, you can take up a reading challenge today. If you’re just picking up books again, maybe start small with one book each month. If you really want a challenge, you can read one book each week. Reading is a great hobby to turn to that doesn’t have to hurt your wallet. Register for a library account to get free ebooks delivered directly to your phone, tablet, or computer. We’re also pretty big fans of the Kindle and Kindle Unlimited around these parts, so if you’re serious about meeting your reading challenge, that may be the perfect route for you.

3. Make your own mini herb garden

Tired of making the perfect dish and realizing you don’t have any green onion, cilantro, or basil for that final touch garnish? Start growing your own plants on a windowsill or counter. You’ll learn the ins and outs of taking care of plants, as well as how to self-sustain your kitchen. Hot tip: Re-grow green onions by cutting off the tips and leaving only the root and bulbs. Place them on a windowsill so they get sun and stay moist. After they have started to grow, you can cut off what you need.

4. Start an interactive scrapbook/journal

Keep an interactive journal. You can write about your day but also include little notes and mementos from the day. You can use business cards you find, a coffee sleeve from your favourite cafe, or even a tag you take off your shirt as you run out the door to make great pieces for your interactive journal. By the time you fill up the book, it’ll be overflowing with pieces from your day-to-day life that you might’ve just overlooked otherwise.

5. Perfect your at-home manicures

A skill and hobby in itself, learning how to do your own professional manicure at-home is great. It’ll save you trips to the salon, but as you get better and better, you’ll get salon quality results without ever leaving your home. Trust me, I’ve had this kit for a while now and people are always asking me where I get my nails done. Once you get the hang of it, it’s super healthy for your nails and allows them to grow and stay strong. If you’re not sure where to start, this video should help. And for the ultra-beginners who have no clue how to paint their right (or left) hand, the Poppy tool from Olive & June has your name written all over it. 

6. Get out for a walk every day

You should not be surprised at how it works. lame walking sounds as a hobby, picture this: you slip on your comfiest shoes, grab your AirPods, queue up a podcast (there’s definitely one for you here), and head out to explore your neighborhood. Walking is not only a great outlet for some light outdoor activity, but it’s great for the mind as well. It’s something you can do all year round and is a new experience every time you do it. You can learn a lot about your neighborhood by walking new routes each day. Yes, it may sound lame to think of walking as a hobby, but once you start doing it more and more, you’ll realize how great it can be for both your overall health and happiness. Trust us. 

7. Start meditating

Do you want to add a little self-care to your day? You’d be surprised what a short meditation can do for your mind. You can meditate for as little as five minutes or as long as you like. Like many hobbies, it is possible to tailor your meditation program to suit your needs. Whether you need to ground yourself after a hectic work day or want to start the day with a clear head, you can’t go wrong. You can choose to go completely unassisted by including some simple breathing exercises in your day or exploring guided meditation options like Calm.

8. Learn how you can sew

Every time I buy a pair of pants that are a little too long or a dress that doesn’t exactly fall where I want it to I say to myself, “Oh, it’s fine, I’ll get them and I’ll learn how to hem them.” Has that happened yet? No! If you can relate to this, it’s time to finally take the plunge and learn. Buy the mini sewing machine, call your mom for help or dial up that Youtube video and get to work on that pile of clothes you always said you’ll “fix.” And if you’re intimidated by a sewing machine or scared to dive in headfirst, start small. Pick up a needle and thread—there’s a lot you can do with just those tools, too.

9. Learn the basics of cooking

Learn the art of cooking by learning how to chopping, roast vegetables, and even making a delicious homemade sauce. Don’t fret too much about not mastering it right away, that’s what a hobby is for, learning day by day and slowly getting the hang of it until it feels like second nature. You can start by reading one of the most popular cookbooks. But if you’re a visual learner, you can also start with one of our favorite Youtube chefs.

10. Learn to edit your photos like a pro (well, almost)

Did the lighting in that beautiful sunset photo of you and your friends seem a little off? It frustrates me all the time when my phone camera doesn’t do the spectacular scene in front of me justice, but it’s not too difficult to learn some basic photo-editing skills from your phone. Lightroom, VSCO and other photo apps will transform your photos from dull and boring to stunning. If you’re not sure where to start, Youtube has tons of videos to guide you. P.S. Once you’ve got a knack for it, framed photos are the sweetest surprise gifts for loved ones.

11. Learn the basics about bartending

You will be the host of the year if you take up this hobby. Whether you want to perfect a cocktail or mocktail, learning the basics of bartending allows you to familiarize yourself with what you like and what you don’t like. Start out with your favorite drink, and venture out to your BFF or partner’s favorite drink. Eventually, you’ll have a pretty cool party trick up your sleeve.

12. Perfect your barista skills

You know when you’re craving the most perfect cup of coffee, you venture out in the cold, spend that six dollars or so and have the realization, “I could probably have made this at home.” Equipped with a frother and your favorite bag of beans, it’s time. Getting to know the ins and outs of making a cup of coffee doesn’t have to be a chore, but a hobby that can grow into a deep love and appreciation for coffee beans and their complexities.

13. View estate sales on the weekend

Are you thinking about getting out of your house on Saturday mornings? You can get out and look for estate sales or yard sale opportunities in your area. It’s a cheap hobby, (you don’t ALWAYS have to buy something)! It’s extremely fun to browse and search through the pickings—you never know what you’re going to find. Bonus: You’ll also find a great community all within the comfort of your own area. Who knows, maybe you’ll score an exquisite vintage piece of furniture that’ll fit oh-so-perfect in that empty corner of your room.