Strategies to Save Without Sacrificing a New Hobby!

A new year can be a great time to explore a new hobby. While there are hobbies that can be done for free or almost free, many hobbies often involve an initial investment in tools and materials. It’s understandable that when just trying a new hobby spending money to find out if you like it is not something you want to do. Especially as we often try to save more money after holiday excess. It may be tempting to get the cheapest tools you can find when exploring a new hobby, but sometimes you end up costing yourself a hobby you might actually enjoy! Instead perhaps consider some of these ideas for how to save on a new hobby.

Borrow!

First, do you have any friends or family who already enjoy the hobby you are looking to explore? Then you may want to ask them if you can borrow some of what you would need. Those friends may also be able to give insight into what types of things require an investment in quality and where you can save.

For example, as someone who knits and crochets, I know I am more than happy to hand over a pair of knitting needles, a crochet hook and some yarn, to someone who wants to give it a go without spending their dough($)! I know that you can often get decent knitting needles and crochet hooks for a small price, but the cheapest ones may be uncomfortable to use. If you borrow from a friend they will likely also be able to help recommend what size to use, or explain why they prefer one style over another.

You may eventually buy your own tools and supplies, but borrowing is often free and gives you the chance to explore which supplies you really want.

Also, did you know a lot of libraries have started to have loans for things other than books? You may want to look into those other styles of lending libraries too

[Image consists of hands passing a pile of books]

Buy Second Hand!

Sometimes you can benefit from going to a second hand shop and finding gently used tools and supplies for your hobby there. They may not be all shiny and new, but it can be a way to save money and explore a new hobby!

An example that comes to mind here is musical instruments, there are often a lot of second hand instruments available on the market at a significantly lower cost than buying brand new. It can mean a bit more work cleaning them up and getting them in tune, but not spending a lot is music to my ears!

Strategic Spending!

If you are unable to borrow or find second hand, or if you want to just get started, you may find that you end up buying what you need. Here there are a few things I try to keep in mind, first if you can, wait for a sale! Second, for a lot of supplies quality is more important than quantity.

For example, a few years ago I was looking at getting a set of coloured pencils, the ones I wanted were very expensive. A small set with only a few colours was the same price as a huge set with lots of colours of the cheap ones! It was very tempting to get the cheaper ones so I could have more colours that I would eventually want. Fortunately, fate stepped in and gave me an opportunity to get a huge set of the style I wanted for an extreme discount. I’m very thankful that luck was in my favour that day because, had I gotten the cheaper colour pencils, sure they would have worked but nothing like the higher quality ones do. Instead of feeling disappointed with my results because that was the best I could do with the cheaper set, I get to feel excited as I learn how to use the better ones and actually enjoy the results that much more. So I learned sometimes when you skimp on quality to save money, you cheat yourself out of the amazing experience that new hobby could have been. It doesn’t have to cost a lot, but being strategic with your spending can go a long way!

Art supplies can often work this way, that’s not to say always get the high end by any means, but you may find a happy middle where you may end up with a smaller set that gives you better results.

I recommend talking to friends, and doing a bit of research about where you can save and where quality is key when exploring a new hobby. Because sometimes it’s better to have 12 great coloured pencils than 120 cheap ones. But trust me, if you are just rinsing your paint brushes, a jar from the recycle will do.

[Image consists of a money jar labelled “Hobby?” with a few coins at the bottom]

Share your thoughts, tips and tricks with us?!

• Is there any hobby you've wanted to try but the cost to get started has stopped you?

• What's one tool or supply for one of your existing hobbies where you would never sacrifice quality?

• Are there any new hobbies you hope to pick up this year? What will you need for those hobbies?

Want more ideas on how to save money on expensive hobbies? Perhaps this link is for you: https://www.frompenniestoplenty.com/blog/how-to-save-money-on-an-expensive-hobby

https://forms.gle/tSRzfxpQJvvYpZXh6 Feedback & Ideas Form, Share your ideas!

Tagging the Hobby Zone subcommunity tag list

(If you want to be added/removed click here!)

@Aileen1114117 @Aliceiin3rdwonderland @confidentrabbit7311 @CosmicMiracle @DipityEnigma @EmotionsListener @FallandWinterPlease00 @hiraxx @Interestingkiwi @interlligentshawzk @jujubears @LadyOrgasma @Liv125 @Lou73 @Meifeng @Merliah001 @MilaAvery @MistyMagic @NicholasW @NixiePixieStick @Paprika001 @practicalTree3613 @SerenitysFire @SleepyShyCat @SmileSravani @SparklingSeashells @Sunisshiningandsoareyou @sweetrosa1987 @ThadSterling @theboymoana @tidyHickory3283 @Walker7957 @WarmLightXO @WorriedMagpie