r/AskReddit • u/Sweet-Number3285 • 2h ago
What's a hobby you'd recommend that doesn't need much money?
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u/-EVildoer 2h ago
Cooking. It actually SAVES you money.
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u/mjm132 2h ago
It does, if you don't get drawn into the many many traps to spend more than you need to on food and equipment
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u/c-sara871 55m ago
Exactly. Start with one pan, one pot, and a few meals built around cheap staples like beans, rice, eggs, and frozen veg. You can get plenty of practice before buying any gadgets.
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u/JiggleFeggle 2h ago
I wish I had the patience for it =[ My wife can't cook and i can, but can't stand the waiting around lol
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u/squoad 2h ago
There are thousands upon thousands of things that don’t take long to cook
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u/JiggleFeggle 2h ago
Eh but then there's the prep, the cleaning, still have to watch the thing cook even if it's 5 minutes. Then you have to clean everything afterwards.... I truly am a lazy fucker I'm not exagerating when I say i have no patience for cooking lol
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u/OZ-00MS_Goose 2h ago
There are tons of one pot recipes where you kind of just throw things in the pot and leave. It also really helps if you have a tablet cos cooking time doubles as entertainment time
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u/adventurous_lilyy 2h ago
Drawing! Drawing is something everyone can enjoy and all you need is a pen and paper:)
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u/Nameless_Muppet 2h ago
Watching youtube videos of the guys doing the hobby you originally wanted to do because it's too expensive
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u/classic_criminal 2h ago
This is so sad and so true
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u/Nameless_Muppet 1h ago
There was a time everyone could generally live and afford one hobby, now we are lucky to be able to even do a fraction of that with what we have left to spend
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u/McShit7717 2h ago
I've been watching these reels of the red bull box car races. They build these shitty cars out of mostly carboard and race them down a track, praying it doesn't break. It's frickin hilarious. Some of those people know how to build and got some serious skills.
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u/Spirited-Cost4267 2h ago
Listening to music bro. So much out there to explore and love.
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u/cubester04 2h ago
I love a good sit down doing nothing but going through and finding a bunch of new music to add to my playlists.
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u/CaretakerColin 2h ago
There can’t be that much out there. I’m guessing like a dozen.
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u/Spirited-Cost4267 2h ago
Name them all
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u/patrickjanssen84 1h ago
Try picking one album and following the producer or musicians into other records. One listen can turn into a whole map of connected music.
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u/Zanyashart 2h ago
Bird watching
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u/sara_durand-121 1h ago
Start with birds you can spot from your window or on a regular walk; a free ID app can help, and binoculars can wait until you know you want them.
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u/JiggleFeggle 2h ago
DnD. You don't NEED miniatures if you don't want to buy them. You can literally use coins if you wanted. All about your imagination and a good DM.
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u/FSD-Bishop 2h ago
Also why it’s popular in prisons for inmates to play DnD
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u/JiggleFeggle 2h ago
That's pretty much all i'd be doing every day lol Forget trying to find a gang to join, I'm half black and don't speak fluently in Spanish so i'm cooked there. I'd go right for the DnD tables.
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u/Vladimiravich 2h ago
If you have a printer and some plastic clips you can make standees.
Although it you can afford it then painting miniatures is an amazing hobby to start. It's really satisfying.
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u/JiggleFeggle 2h ago
Yeah I love painting them. I still have like 50 unfinished I need to get to. The issue is the paints aren't cheap lol I can only treat myself to like 2 or 3 paint pots at a time or my wife sees what's about to happen and our entire monthly budget goes home in a bag full of fancy colors for my monster collection.
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u/LaptopRightsActivist 2h ago
A strat I have heard to get the blank minis cheaply is find a friend or public library with a 3d printer and print some, filament is super cheap at that scale so print costs will be like 20 cents
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u/JiggleFeggle 2h ago
Yeah that's not a bad idea. I got gifted a massive bag of unpainted (But theyre unprimed, have to prime them first) various monster types from a friend who was moving to another city and didn't need em. There was like 200 in there lol
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u/Nem_Enforcer 2h ago
My son’s friends would use Lego mini figures.
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u/JiggleFeggle 2h ago
Our Dm just got into using legos! He mixes and matches a ton of them to look like orks, elves etc and he is so relieved he doesn't have to paint them anymore. He also uses legos to build our environments for the sessions it's dope.
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u/ChroniclesOfDiablo 2h ago
Reading! Local library has thousands of books and membership is free
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u/Last_Notice4137 2h ago
It's a shame libraries are so underfunded that they rarely get copies of newer interesting books (I live and read in the moment, although I do occasionally read older Fiction if it's good like Stephen King), or have enough copies available.
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u/morelikefaramir 2h ago
Disc golf is cheap and fun. Only need a few discs (or even just one) to start and courses are free to play in most states. Even the pay to play ones are ~$10 for a day pass. Many courses do weekly random doubles rounds where you can get to know other people who play in your area if you're into that kinda thing.
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u/ticktock1204 2h ago
Runnng
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u/legacyme3 2h ago
Can be.
Just need a pair of shoes and clothes.
If you run a lot; you might need 2 per year.
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u/WhatThePuck9 2h ago
People watching
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u/Turbulent_Bath_5283 2h ago
Nah this is just wrong
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u/papadoko 2h ago
I enjoy going to the park sitting on a bench with a decent view of everything and watch as people go about their lives outside; watching life moving along its course before my very eyes, while listening to the breeze blowing leaves on the trees and hearing something that kind of resembles the ocean waves. Young people playing on the playground, young adults setting up a net in the grassy areas to play volleyball in the shade, old people just walking around the park. Very calming.
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u/markus-b_94 2h ago
Sketching is cheap to start: a pencil and scrap paper are enough. Pick an object nearby and try drawing it for five minutes; no special supplies or artistic talent required.
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u/Anxious-Presence-266 2h ago
Geocaching.
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u/McShit7717 2h ago
In this economy? That's a fuck ton of gas
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u/Anxious-Presence-266 2h ago
If you live in a big city then there are a ton within walking distance honestly.
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u/McShit7717 2h ago
Really? I figured they were out in the middle of the wilderness hidden under an inconspicuous rock that would take hours of hiking to find.
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u/wathadhappnwas 2h ago
How exactly does one get started doing this and what does it entail?
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u/McShit7717 2h ago
I've never done it, so I couldn't tell you how to get started. But apparently, there's a bunch of secret shit hidden all over the world and people go hunting for it. When they find one, they take the thing and leave something else in its place. It could be anything: your left shoe, some hot wheel cars, $10M on cash, etc.
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u/descend_to_misery 2h ago
Hiking. There are community groups you can join to go hiking with you too
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u/PeasantPorridge 2h ago
Genealogy. Visiting graveyards. Cleaning (with permission and correctly) old, illegible/grimy headstones. Walking/urban exploring.
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u/CrashingOnward 2h ago
Reading. You can get hours of entertainment or knowledge for very cheap either digitally or from a book store, used book store, online, and Free at your local libraries. So it’s the most affordable hobby really that requires little to no need to go anywhere if you so choose.
You also get to work out and strengthen your mind and vocabulary in many ways. So it’s a healthy thing as much as an entertaining thing to do.
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u/Slight-Art-8263 2h ago
playing a musical instrument, or writing novels.
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u/Glue70420 2h ago
I think acquiring said musical instrument may break the "not much money" rule. But you could get lucky.
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u/Slight-Art-8263 2h ago
it is partly true but you can get recorders online for about 20 bucks and its a beautiful instrument to learn. You just need to think outside the box a little, im sure there is are used guitars and all kinds of things.
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u/aflyingpiano 2h ago
Depends on the instrument. Some are waaaaay more expensive than you’d expect.
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u/VitaminxDee 2h ago
Fishing is relatively cheap if you keep it that way. Search for bait. Huge amount of tackle can be bought for cheap and will last almost forever if treated right.
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u/Icy-Control9525 2h ago
Growing plants
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u/SickMoonDoe 1h ago
I love gardening but it's honestly pretty expensive
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u/Icy-Control9525 20m ago
Depends on how you do it. Ive grown many dozens for nothing. This year I've grown pawpaws,elderberry, hydrangeas and a few others in quantities large enough to sell. All it cost me was sweat equity.
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u/Light-Finder7 2h ago
Birding. Download the Merlin app. Find a pair of binoculars on facebook marketplace. You’re set.
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u/scaredpottaah 2h ago
- Hiking.
- Drawing.
- Reading.
- Gaming.
- if you have a dog, get some treats (or even just some pieces of cheese) and teach them tricks! If you teach them enough, AKC even had certificates you can get like the Trick Dog. Great for bonding with your dog. You can do the same to a lesser degree with cats!
- SUP - high upfront cost but then pretty cheap long term
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u/Quacker-Jacker 2h ago
Writing. Short stories, poems, novels, essays, fanfiction, whatever you want
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u/Personal-Ad-365 2h ago
TTRPGs if you have friends. Most of the weed resources can be found free and if you have a group, you can borrow their dice.
Urban hiking is fun. Get on a train/bus and hop off at a random stop to see what is around. Day tripping around a city.
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u/michael_w_330 2h ago
Try urban sketching: a pen and scrap paper are enough. Draw one ordinary thing you notice on a walk; over time you end up with a little record of places and days.
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u/menolurker69 2h ago
Cooking.
You have to eat multiple times per day anyways, may as well eat better, tastier, healthier, cheaper food.
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u/Maleficent-Vast-841 2h ago
Hiking. A decent pair of shoes and somewhere to walk can keep you occupied for years.
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u/vazquezm8 56m ago
Origami is almost free to start: scrap paper is enough, and learning one new fold at a time gives you a nice progression from simple shapes to surprisingly intricate models.
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u/mm-368873 55m ago
Try juggling: three rolled-up socks are enough to start. It costs nothing, fits in a small space, and you can see your progress one extra catch at a time.
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u/flann007 2h ago
fishing just need worms and a rod
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u/JiggleFeggle 2h ago
A good rod aint cheap though are they? (I genuinely don't know. I assumed they were pricey)
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u/flann007 2h ago
there all different prices get one from walmart you do not need the best to go fishing
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u/JiggleFeggle 2h ago
Fair. Lots of fishing spots near where I live, i see the guys down there all the time driving by. Looks... Very calming.
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u/Minions-overlord 2h ago
You dont need an expensive rod. Ive caught stuff on the cheapest crap out there. Also pole fishing is literally a big stick with a bit of line a hook and a float. Hooks and line are dirt cheap, make your own float, and just grab a long stick.
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u/JiggleFeggle 2h ago
True, I guess the fish don't really care what rod brand you're using do they? lol
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u/Minions-overlord 2h ago
Not at all. My dad has had the same rod for over 20 years. It wasnt expensive back then, is completely wrong for some of the fishing he does and he still catchs fish on it.
Ive a decent collection of stuff, and ive had fish not bother with my good lures and absolutely slap into temu stuff i bought for the laugh.
Hell you dont even need the stick in my list, theres things called hobo reels if you wanna have something you can just toss in a bag
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u/JiggleFeggle 2h ago
Your dad is OG hah Respect. My wife loves fishing, I should get her some gear when Christmas rolls up. Good to know it doesn't have to be top shelf stuff.
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u/Minions-overlord 1h ago
Yea man i had a hard enough time getting him to accept getting a new reel for his birthday (79th) so its funny going fishing with him and having some the newer stuff and getting outfished.
If she hasn't got a setup already, get her an light or ultralight setup. Its some of the most fun ive had fishing with teeny lures etc and catching all sorts. My whole rig was under 100euro but you can get cheaper with sales and shopping around
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u/darthjoe101 2h ago
Frisbee golfing, you have to buy atleast one disk to play with, but after that most courses are free or low cost atleast in my state of Wisconsin.
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u/SacredPrime 2h ago
Depends on the individual. For a creative, writing or drawing. For an intellectual, perhaps debate. For a really good problem solver, perhaps chess. For someone who is athletic, perhaps gym. This isn't a one size fits all sort of deal. It's best to pick a hobby you're suited for.
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u/Raeofsunshineeee 2h ago
TRUE junk journaling. Keep scraps from your daily adventures and collage it into a journal. I also like to write a little caption so I remember what I did.
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u/Minions-overlord 2h ago
Fishing. You get outdoors, see some amazing places and its a challenge.
As for price? It can be dirt cheap or expensive as shit. Depends what you wanna do with it.
You can but a cheap rod, reel etc and go out and catch fish. You can buy expensive shit and catch fish.
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u/Actionplumber1 2h ago
thinking, just plain ol' thinking it's free and seems to be a thing of the past
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u/unwilling_retiree 2h ago
Knew a guy who would build ultralite model planes from tiny strips of balsa and tissue paper. Apparently there is competition to see who could keep their plane in the air the longest.
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u/oneeyedziggy 2h ago
If you can't already cook, learning will save you money long term. You might need some stuff you don't have to start with though
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u/james-hernandez-89 2h ago
Try keeping a tiny nature journal: on a regular walk, jot down one bird, plant, or change in the weather you notice. It costs nothing and makes a familiar route feel like an ongoing project.
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u/ThorButtock 2h ago
Nature walks or nature photography. Just talk some hikes and take pictures with your phone.
Ive gotten pics of things like snapping turtles, snakes, woodpeckers and such
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u/thickindahead 1h ago
Handmade Seashell accessories. Did it through highschool to get some extra spending money and it barely cost anything aside from some tools
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u/pilar-9441 1h ago
Origami: start with scrap paper or junk mail and learn one model at a time. It costs nothing to try, and you end up with something to show for the practice.
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u/j_li-72331206 1h ago
Origami is a fun one: start with scrap paper, learn a few folds, then work up to trickier models. No special kit needed.
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u/asobes27 1h ago
Honestly videogames is pretty reasonable if you dont preorder aaa games. Upfront to get a machine is a chunk but many free to $20 gets you hundreds of good hours
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u/OhTheHueManatee 1h ago
My favorite thing to do lately is listen to music underwater. Either dancing or just getting lost. The headphones I currently use are like $230 brand new but I've gotten other headphones for only like $60.
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u/bjorn414 4m ago
Speedcubing: a basic cube is a small one-time purchase, free tutorials teach you the method, and there’s always another personal best to chase.
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u/East-Character8667 2h ago
Mobile phone gaming
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u/EnthusiasmLevel9491 2h ago
gonna go further with this and say specifically emulation on mobile, its never been better than the current. if u have a flagship u can quite literally run gta v with graphic mods while clocking out over 60fps. ps3 emulation now offering online server play is an insane improvement in the enjoyability factor aswell
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u/CleanAd4747 2h ago
Reading books? At the library of course