5 Hobbies that Cost Little to No Money
Many people find themselves struggling to keep up with hobbies or activities outside of work due to a lack of time and money. Some people want to do more to get involved in their community and to pursue hobbies or passions in their free time, but find themselves worrying about the cost of such things.
Here are a few hobbies that you can enjoy without breaking the bank.
Running
Going for a run (or jog) is a great way to relieve stress and achieve mental clarity while keeping you in good physical shape. Running is one of the most beneficial hobbies for someone to enjoy and costs nothing; all you need is a pair of sneakers. There is also a strong sense of community among runners, making this one of the best free ways to get out and make some friends.
Activism
One great way to become involved with your community is by getting involved with local politics or advocacy for a cause that is meaningful to you. Volunteering for a cause or candidate that you like can help you do good work for your community and meet like-minded people, and it is usually not hard. Programs like Haines Criss Cross make it easy to phone bank for various causes by creating a database of info and running campaigns to targeted prospects.
Reading
Losing yourself in a book is one of the best ways to spend your time, and unlike consuming other forms of media, reading can cost you absolutely nothing. Get a library card and check out books from your local library, to make this a completely cost-free hobby. Start a book club with your friends to discuss what you’re reading and connect over this shared hobby.
Drawing
Putting a pen to paper and letting your creativity flow doesn’t cost a thing. Drawing is one of the best ways to truly express yourself creatively, as you can create anything you want. If you aren’t a natural artist, don’t worry; art improves with time and practice, so the only way to get better is by giving it a try!
Meditation
Similar to running, meditation has many positive impacts on your mental and physical health and can be one of the best and quickest ways to relieve stress in the moment and over time. Taking a few minutes to close your eyes and just breathe is a great way to get started, and so is looking up free guided meditation videos or audios online.
Learn a Langauge
Although learning a foreign language can be a costly experience, free tools, and services to teach you language skills have become extremely popular in recent years, making learning foreign languages more accessible than ever. Online tools like Duolingo are free (and fun) ways to learn a new language in your free time.
Cooking
Teaching yourself to cook is a great way to learn a new skill while doing something you’d already do anyway. Trying out new recipes each week or following free tutorials doesn’t have to cost any more than you would normally spend on groceries, and cooking is a skill that is sure to be both fulfilling for you and impressive to friends and visitors.