When you’re dealing with debt, you might feel like you’re punishing yourself. In reality, you’re making a major, positive life change — and because you might miss your old habits, your new budget may feel like there’s no room for fun.
But thankfully, that’s hardly the case. Your financial revamp can make room for you to bring new ways to enrich your life — and even introduce you to passions you didn’t even know you had.
And what’s more, a hobby can lower anxiety and help you relax. And when you’re less stressed, you’re less likely to make money decisions you’ll regret later. Let’s look at inexpensive hobbies that feel like they should cost more than they do — and how you can try them.
Find Your Next Budget-Friendly Hobby
You don’t need fancy gear or a lot of money to enjoy your free time. Here are some great options that are low-cost but still feel rewarding:
#1: Gardening
Even just one potted plant on your windowsill can bring joy. If you have ample outdoor space, look into local native plant gardening groups — it’s a great way to grow your understanding of your environment and community (and potentially score some free plants!)
#2: Birdwatching
This one ties nicely into gardening. Grab a library book about your local bird populations, grab a pair of old binoculars and hit the trails. Birdwatching is a great way to get your steps up — and increase your peace.
#3: Writing
All you need is your brain and your writing tool of choice. Whether your ambitions are to record your memories, decompress after a long day or write the next great American novel, there’s a lot that can happen with a blank page and an idea.
#4: Drawing
Plunder your kid’s art supplies or find used, low-cost materials. Drawing — or even coloring pre-printed pages — can be a relaxing hobby that reinforces your eye for details, form and movement. Bonus points if you take advantage of free museum days locally to develop your taste!
#5: Crafting
Look around and see what could be improved or made to feel more like “you” at home. Repaint furniture, make decorations or use your existing resources to customize your space.
#4: Hiking or Walking
Explore your neighborhood, city parks or trails. It’s completely free (and good for your health!)
#5: Library-Based Clubs
Your local library likely has more groups and resources than you realize. Stop by and talk to a librarian about upcoming social and skill-building opportunities. If you’re a big reader, you’ll almost certainly find a bookclub that’ll speak to you, too!
#6: Learn a Skill
Have you ever seen someone at work and thought, “I’d love to learn how to do that”? There are tons of detailed, online resources to dive into. So whether it’s bookmaking or baking, there’s someone out there who can teach you the ropes.
#7: Discover a New Language
A new language can open up a whole new way of understanding the world, and there are more free resources out there than you’d think. Check your local library for online language-learning resources, join a local conversation group to build real-world skills or even download a language-learning app to practice on-the-go.
#8: Find Your People
You can find Reddit threads, Facebook groups and Discord servers for nearly any hobby. Join one to get inspired and meet others who share your interest.
Set Aside Guilt-Free Time
You don’t have to earn a break. Doing something just for yourself is allowed — and important.
If you’re working hard to manage your money, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your time. Hobbies help you feel balanced. They give you something to look forward to and keep your mood up when debt feels heavy.
Block time each week to focus on your hobby, and treat it as if it’s a real appointment. This kind of care makes a real difference in how you feel and how you manage stress. It can also replace habits that make things worse, like spending because you’re bored, depressed or stressed.
Because Paying Off Debt Shouldn’t Be Your Main Hobby
Even with good habits, debt can feel slow to manage. If your monthly payments are too high or you have more than one balance, debt consolidation can help. Accredited Debt Relief can help people save 40% or more on their eligible monthly debt payments — and even get debt-free in as little as 24-48 months.