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Everybody should have a hobby. Life is boring without something to occupy your time. Sure, being flaked out in front of the television could count as a hobby. Is it very constructive though? A hobby should help you better yourself. Even in the slightest of ways.
The problem is, hobbies are expensive. They usually require a high-cost barrier to entry. On top of that, they usually require continued payment. Some hobbies just aren’t for people looking to save money. So what can you do? You can find a low-cost hobby, that’s what.
Let’s take a look at a few ideas:
Reading- Nothing like sitting outside on a warm day with a good book. Now, new books are expensive. Recently released hardbacks are usually a little bit on the costly side. So how can you enjoy this hobby?
Learn the art of used bookshop hunting. Amidst all the dog-eared copies of trashy novels and celebrity biographies are some real gems. Classics of literature from all ages. The covers may have seen better days, but the content is still as good as ever.
Find a local used book retailer, and see what you can find.
Fishing- A slight barrier to entry on cost initially, but a lot cheaper than many other hobbies. A rod and line, some hooks, and a bit of bait is all you need. Find yourself a fishing spot with equipment, and get to work.
There’s a lot of waiting involved with fishing. It is a very Zen-like hobby. You might wonder what all this waiting is good for in terms of self-improvement. It teaches patience, of course. You wait for the fish to bite, and at the right moment you strike.
Model Railways– This is commonly quite an expensive hobby. However, the expanding used market for model railway equipment has led to a nice little space for people without the money to spend on the cutting edge.
You must be prepared to know you may be using obsolete materials. So long as you can get over equipment that is five to ten years out of date, you’ll survive. All you need to start is some track and a train. Of course, the power supply and speed control too.
If you want to go a little further, you can start building a diorama for your train set. Stick some legs on a corkboard piece, add some fake grass and model trucks and you’re away.
Yoga- A mat and some instructions are all the investment required for yoga. It’s a calming practice of flexibility. It’s anaerobic exercise in a lot of ways too. It may not be for everybody, but as hobbies go it can do so much to improve your health.
Writing– Put pen to paper. Finger to type key. However, you want to do it, make it happen. What will you write about? How about keeping a diary, or writing short stories? Don’t worry about the quality. That will improve naturally over time. The main aim is to occupy yourself and teach you reflective and creative writing skills.
A hobby doesn’t have to break the bank. The most enjoyable hobbies of all are free, or close to that.
