New hobbies are always fun to try. Frugal moms steer toward less expensive hobbies that make sense for their home. As a one income family I can’t spend a lot on hobbies, but I do fall into the frugal moms category where I do hobbies that make sense for us. First, we all do tae kwon do together. The YMCA close to us offers classes at a very affordable price. Tae kwon do is great exercise, we do this as a family activity, and it is great for cardio. Next, I taught myself gardening and canning several years ago. Both of these hobbies are fun, fit well for our frugal family and make sense. Gardening works well with canning and vice versa.
Next, I learned how to knit, crochet and sew. Some I am better at than others’ but all hobbies are ongoing. I love all of these hobbies because they are low budget and fun. Next, photography has become one of my favorites. Taking pictures of my kids playing in the sand, in the water or doing sports is great. Photography can be very expensive. I have found ways to make it less expensive, but the equipment is not cheap.
As with everything hobbies take money. Some are low cost, and some cost more. Here are few ways to combat price versus enjoyment.
Choose Hobbies That Fill a Need in Your Budget
Gardening, knitting, weaving, canning, sewing, dying wool and other hobbies that add to your household and subtract from the budget. Hobbies that add to creativity to use what you have and explore how to do them better after each project. Gardening for instance branches off into so many areas. Gardening funnels into canning no other food preservation areas. Gardening add so food to the table in the summer. In the winter this hobbit is perfect to practice drawing, mapping and planning skills. Canning saves money at the grocery store and frugal moms love to save. One leads into other hobbies such as perfecting recipes and trying out new ingredients. There are so many sauce recipes to can, vegetables and more.
Pick a Low Cost Hobby to Enjoy
Non frugal hobbies that have a high purchase amount or monthly payment such as a photography, digital art, ballroom dancing, skiing and taekwondo are going to increase your budget. These hobbies can be turned into an income if they become something you can teach. Instruction to learn them can take years. Picking a low cost hobby may be a better idea if it is intended for enjoyment. Frugal hobbies for moms such as reading, running, knitting, sewing, and journaling are going to more inexpensive. Make a brainstorming list to decide what hobbies are suited for your budget and time is a good start. List various reasons why starting one of these hobbies sounds interesting. Also, for instruction online classes or youtube may be a more affordable option.
For more expensive hobbies such as the ones listed above like photography, skiing and ballroom dancing try renting equipment. Ballroom dancing would be more lessons, but a designated amount allotted each week toward lessons helps with budgeting. To get the best price on a hobby that is more expensive shop around, and look for coupons.
Frugal Moms Side Hustle Ideas
Most side hustles start from a hobby. Gardening can turn into a plant stand, which in turn brings in money to buy more seeds to grow. Guitar lessons can turn into an instructors position. Writing, shopping and drawing turn into good income opportunities. The best part is making money to continue doing what you love. This cycle is how people are able to channel what they want into a future job endeavor and love their work. Saving money on hobbies is going to be about timeline. Timing for specials, coupons and opportunities to save. Buying canning products in the summer is the best way to save. Turning that around to another time of year when products are cheaper is the time to buy those same supplies. Taking a good look at the most opportune times to buy and having a good plan when starting and researching a hobby saves money.
Lower Costs on Expensive Hobbies
For more expensive hobbies such as the ones listed above like photography, skiing and ballroom dancing try renting equipment. Ballroom dancing would be more lessons, but a designated amount allotted each week toward lessons helps with budgeting. To get the best price on a hobby that is more expensive shop around, and look for coupons.
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