Free hobbies
Having a hobby can be great. A hobby can help you relax and deal with stress. Learning a new skill can be very satisfying and help build confidence. And last but not least: hobbies are fun! But what if you don’t have that much money to spend? Memberships can be very expensive, and for many hobbies you need materials, which often aren’t cheap either. So read on for the best free – or at least very cheap – hobbies!
Exercise
Want to get fit? Make your own exercise routine. There are lots of YouTube videos with free exercises. Whether you want to do yoga, or Pilates or lift weights – it’s all there. And you don’t need expensive dumbbells – just fill a few soda bottles with water and you’re good to go. You can even tie them to a broomstick to create a barbell.
Get into mobile phone photography
Mobile phones these days have great cameras, so why not learn to make great photos with yours? Look for free online tutorials to improve your skills. And who knows – if you get really good, you could even make some money. Family pictures? Profile photos? Pet portraits? Let people know you can do them at a bargain price!
Go dumpster diving
If you’re not afraid of getting your hands a little dirty (and sometimes doing some heavy lifting), try dumpster diving. You won’t believe the stuff people throw away! Perfectly good furniture, usable wood, books... Fix it, give it a lick of paint and put it in your room – or even sell it on! Or you can use the stuff you find to build things: simple tables, cat furniture, or your own works of art. The possibilities are endless!
Become a volunteer
So you’re into animals, but you can’t afford a pet. Here’s an idea: become a volunteer! Check out your local animal shelter or petting zoo to see if they need people, or become a dog walker or cat sitter. You might even earn some cash! Or let’s say you’re crazy about board games, but you don’t have anyone to play them with. Ask an old people’s home if they need help, or become a buddy for lonely people.
Learn magic tricks
This will keep you busy for a while: learning magic tricks. All you need are some cards, some coins and the odd handkerchief, and of course the countless online tutorials that are out there. Plus lots of time to practise, practise, practise. Who knows, someday you might be doing shows in Las Vegas.
Bake your own bread
Here’s a crazy idea: bake your own bread. All you need is an oven, flour, water, salt and yeast – and if you go for sourdough, you don’t even need that. Yes, it takes time and effort, but it’s cheaper than buying bread at the supermarket, and it’s more fun too! And nothing tastes better than fresh bread straight out of the oven that you made with your own two hands. Check the internet for recipes.
|