Things to do that cost little
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Pick up a new language.
It may lead to future chances for travel and employment.
7 people, independently
Hike or trail walk for exercise, to pass time, and for fun.
It is good exercise, a time passer, and fun.
3 people, independently
Start a worm compost bin using three rubber totes to generate free soil.
It produces free soil and has no smell.
one person who lived it
Do basic woodworking to build furniture like beds, tables, night stands, and lamp stands, which saves a ton of money.
Saves a ton of money.
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Walk, jog, or hike outdoors for exercise and fresh air; short walks are an option even in winter.
It provides exercise and fresh air, and helps avoid eye strain.
- Winter can be tricky.
- Hiking requires gas money to reach trails.
one person who lived it
fun, hobby, learn, cheap64
Do cross-stitch or embroidery using cheap supplies like scrap fabric, inexpensive thread, and affordable hoops.
Forage for wild food.
It saves money, tastes delicious, and can be calming.
3 people, independently
Buy produce from pick-your-own farms for a good price and use reusable jars (not lids) to make preserves.
The end product is worth it.
- Lids are not reusable.
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Read books or write to occupy your time without spending much money.
Reading and writing do not cost a lot.
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Join an online puzzle exchange group to swap puzzles for fun at low cost.
Swapping puzzles makes the hobby low cost and fun.
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Fish to obtain free food.
It provides free, tasty food and can be calming.
one person who lived it
Try rock climbing by sharing gear with friends to keep costs low and joining group lessons to learn.
It is fun and relatively cheap.
one person who lived it
Get a cat for companionship if you want a pet that is easier to care for than a dog.
They are smart and require less effort than dogs.
one person who lived it
Take Muay Thai classes as a hobby.
It can be a cool hobby with good benefits.
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Play chess or do crossword puzzles.
It is fun.
5 people, independently
Learn a new language using the free app Duolingo.
It is helpful for life and very rewarding.
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Take community education classes at a local college to learn new things.
You will learn fun new things.
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Thrift shop for antiques, vintage items, or second-hand goods.
Finding valuable items like real silver for a low price provides a thrill.
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Make items from natural materials like sticks and stones found in the wild.
It provides a hobby that costs nothing.
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Draw or sketch using basic pencils, pens, and paper, utilizing free online tutorials.
It is fun and calming.
- Some people burn out on drawing and find it no longer fun.
2 people, independently
Replace video games with board gaming for a more absorbing experience.
Board games require more effort to perform so you do them less, but good games absorb you for hours.
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Play a mouth organ.
It is one of the cheapest instruments.
one person who lived it
Try A.M. radio DXing with a cheap thrift store radio to find distant stations.
It is described as an almost free hobby.
one person who lived it
Knit, sew, or crochet to produce your own garments.
It is rewarding and fun.
one person who lived it
- Take up needlecrafts such as embroidery, mending, quilting, knitting, or crochet.3
Take dance lessons to learn something new and have fun.
They are cool and enjoyable.
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Bake your own bread to save money.
Flour is inexpensive.
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Draw to pass time.
It allows you to easily waste hours.
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Knit, crochet, or embroider to get a low cost per hour spent.
Nothing beats knitting or similar fiber arts for cost per hours spent.
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Paint your nails as a mindfulness exercise.
It provides two hours of mindfulness per week for very little investment.
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Buy extremely cheap DVDs from closing stores to watch instead of streaming, acknowledging that many movies are bad regardless of source.
It saves money on subscriptions and removes the pressure of watching 'good' content.
- The movies may be bad.
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Join online groups to meet strangers for activities like visiting board game cafes.
Meeting new people in these settings can be exciting.
one person who lived it
Play disc golf to combine walking with a specific purpose.
It is fun and provides direction for your walk.
2 people, independently
Avoid monetizing hobbies to preserve enjoyment, as the stress, expectations, and obligations can turn a fun activity into a job you hate.
The pressure to get good enough for money or the burden of obligations can ruin the enjoyment.
3 people, independently
Play older video games.
They are extremely cheap, even those with long playtimes.
2 people, independently
Birdwatch or identify local plants and animals to learn about your ecosystem.
It is a fun challenge and a great way to explore local nature.
2 people, independently
Practice flow toys like juggling, kendama, devil sticks, or poi spinning.
It can be meditative, provide good exercise, and bring joy.
one person who lived it
Write fiction or fanfiction and illustrate your favorite scenes from what you have written.
It is fun to bring the visualization to life.
one person who lived it
Practice archery alone.
You can do it by yourself.
2 people, independently
Organize your home as a pastime.
It can occupy many hours.
2 people, independently
Try fishing as a low-cost hobby.
It is described as cheap, relaxing, and peaceful.
2 people, independently
Learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript as a beginner-friendly hobby that feels like solving a rewarding puzzle.
It is easy, fun, and feels rewarding when everything works.
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Use a smartphone app for geocaching to step outside and discover new locations.
It offers an excellent method for exploring unfamiliar areas, finding hidden parks, and exercising.
5 people, independently
Try loom knitting if you want an easy and relaxing hobby.
It is easy and relaxing.
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Walk around your city hunting for succulent leaves to collect.
Hunting for plants can be more satisfying than just buying them.
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Color in adult coloring books with pencils or markers to relax.
It is a cheap activity that helps you relax.
2 people, independently
Play pool alone or with others as a fun and engaging activity.
It is fun and engaging.
one person who lived it
Write movie reviews, short stories, poetry, or random thoughts without aiming to publish.
4 people, independently
Write using only paper and a pencil for a cheap, relaxing pastime.
It is a fun, relaxing pastime that is very cheap.
one person who lived it
Try English paper piecing to keep your hands occupied while watching TV.
It is a time-consuming hand quilting method that occupies the hands.
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Learn programming using free online resources for personal projects, even if you do not intend to make it a profession.
It is an incredibly handy skill.
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Mod PC games, program, or design websites as free hobbies if you already own a computer and pay for internet access.
The process is free because the equipment and connection are already paid for.
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Swim while focusing on the water and movement to get a relaxing, meditation-like state.
Focusing on the water and movement can make it almost like a meditation.
one person who lived it
Do cross-stitch using kits that include everything except the hoop, which can be bought cheaply at a craft store.
It typically provides hours of entertainment.
one person who lived it
- Do cross-stitch or embroidery using cheap supplies like scrap fabric, inexpensive thread, and affordable hoops.6
Join local board game groups or play solo and print-and-play games.
3 people, independently
Try knot tying or whittling if you want an engaging and relaxing activity.
It is engaging and relaxing.
one person who lived it
Do leatherwork as a rewarding hobby suitable for all ages.
It is very rewarding.
one person who lived it
Try Zentangle as a low-cost, non-bulky, relaxing hobby.
It is described as relaxing and meditative.
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Follow your curiosity regarding mysterious topics and read nonfiction books to discover new interests.
This approach has worked for one person.
one person who lived it
Start magnet fishing with an affordable starter kit containing a strong magnet.
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Participate in amateur dramatics.
It costs very little money.
- You may occasionally sacrifice your dignity.
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Play chess online or in a club for social activity, especially if you have mobility issues.
It accommodates people with mobility issues.
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Start doing household chores to build discipline and improve observation.
It costs nothing but increases discipline and improves observation skills.
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Ride horses for excellent exercise and emotional therapy.
It is excellent exercise and very emotionally therapeutic.
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Exercise using calisthenics, hiking, walking, biking, or swimming.
Calisthenics allow you to build physique using only bodyweight.
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Build historical miniatures and dioramas for fine detail work that requires concentration and passes the time.
It allows for escape into imagination and creativity through intricate details like tiny furniture and plants.
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Crochet while listening to audiobooks or watching TV for a creative and calming activity that is relatively easy to learn.
It is creative, calming, and relatively easy to learn.
one person who lived it
Rotate through various physical activities like Pilates, yoga, bouldering, or kickboxing to keep exercise interesting.
Variety keeps the routine engaging.
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Visit museums, art galleries, movies, or local venues featuring live music or comedy.
3 people, independently
Join a library or online book club to make reading a social activity.
Reading can be social; this is one person's main source of socialization.
2 people, independently
Use your local city library to borrow museum, park, and sports passes, as well as audiobooks and ebooks.
Libraries often provide free access to these resources beyond just books.
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Read books from public libraries.
Public libraries are described as a best friend for reading.
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Borrow books from your local library to read for free, including physical copies and thousands of e-books.
It provides endless entertainment and is good for the brain.
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Visit your local library to find community activities or volunteer opportunities.
Many libraries host various activities.
one person who lived it
Make felt ornaments using simple blanket stitches and shredded old socks for stuffing.
This approach has low material costs.
one person who lived it
Do papier-mâché projects using glue and newspaper for a chill, creative activity.
It is chill and creative.
one person who lived it
Layer torn colored tissue paper to create watercolor-like effects.
Torn, layered tissue paper looks like watercolor.
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Make collages or zines for creative freedom similar to scrapbooking without spending money.
It offers more creative freedom than scrapbooking and costs nothing.
one person who lived it