What is the cheapest hobby to do

Image by Надежда Дягилева from Pixabay

 I have to say writing this blog topic and then thinking about all the hobbies I do, I have to question myself… what hobby is the cheapest? 

Considering if you have read my blog post about how much craft supplies you should have, you would know I have a year’s worth of craft supplies for nearly all of my hobbies. Because let’s face it, buying hobby materials is just as fun as making the hobby itself.

So let’s talk about these hobbies and how much it costs to find the answer together what is the cheapest hobby. Now, I can’t write down all the hobbies in the world, so I am just going to write down all the hobbies I do (which is a fair amount). Plus, I live in Australia so this is based on AUD currency.

1. Crocheting

I have said before crocheting isn’t a cheap hobby. It appears cheap. The yarn is only $2.50 for Acrylic 8-ply. The supplies, such as hooks etc are relatively good priced. From $2.50-5.00 for one hook or about $10 for a hook set. If you decide to make something big like a blanket. I tend to buy 14 yarns, just incase. I would rather buy too much yarn then not enough and then the store no longer sells that colour or it simply slows your progress because you have to stop your crocheting and go out and buy more yarn. So 14 yarns by $2.50 is $35. If you want to buy a couple of other yarns to create objects then you could be easy looking at $50 for a six month supply. (Pending how long a crocheting project takes you). 

2. Diamond painting

Diamond painting is around $5-15 for 40 x 50cm size. It takes me around one month to complete a piece this size. As I don’t work on it every day, maybe a few hours at best on a weekend. 

3. Scrapbooking

I could honestly spend hundreds of dollars on scrapbooking supplies. You also need storage for these supplies because they are so small but if you buy a lot they are bulky.

Honestly, I buy stickers for around $5-6 for about 50 in a pack. Scrapbooking paper for 12 sheets is about $5 or less. Then add washi tape for about $2-3 for one tape. 

So for just one theme of one 12xsheets of scrapbooking paper, one pack of stickers and one washi tape that’s $14 roughly. 

4. Paint by numbers

I love paint by numbers and I am starting to get back into it. I normally buy 40x50 size painting with a DIY frame. It normally cost around $20-25 for one. It takes me about 1-3 months to complete the painting. Because there is only so much you can paint at once before you have to let dry so you can keep painting and not get paint on your hand that imprints on the painting. But you also can’t leave the painting too long or the little pots of paints dry up.

5. Reading

I love to read but I find you have to really look for where you want to buy to get the best deal. My ultimate place to look for books is at a second hand store, the only problem there is, the books are older so sometimes for non-fiction the content is a little outdated. The cost of a book $5. 

The library you can borrow books for free and even newer books. But there is a time limit on it and you need one close to where you live. I find I love to borrow about ten books but in a month only read 1-3 of them. So I have stopped using the library for now because I find the time limit too much pressure. 

I also like to buy ebooks. I am a writer and sell ebooks so it makes sense I buy them. Ebooks can range from $1-15 and sometimes more. 

That’s how I buy books, rarely do I buy a brand new one because it’s about $25-35.

6. Writing

Writing is relatively free. I love to write. You just need an exercise book and pen or use your mobile and write anywhere. It only costs money when you turn your hobby writing into a professional one. From writing courses, to writing resources such as buying images to go on the front cover of books etc. or hiring a graphic designer. But as a hobby, it’s free to write. You can even set up your blog for free.

So based on the above 6 hobbies, writing is the least expensive. It’s actually free. It is by far the cheapest hobby to choose. 

In order of cheapest to most expensive this is the outcome:

1. Writing (free) 

2. Reading (also free-$15) 

3. Scrapbooking $14

4. Diamond painting $5-15

5. Paint by numbers $20-25

6. Crocheting $35 for an adult blanket 

It’s also interesting to note, some of the hobbies take a few months for the price set, where some like scrapbooking could take a week. 

#hobbies #hobbycosts #meltoye

Also if you are a beginner in crocheting, you may appreciate reading my ‘The journey of crocheting for beginners’ ebook by Melanie Toye. You can purchase here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1808619

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