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...of Creative
Frugality
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Creatively
Frugal
Hobbies
How do you enjoy your favorite pastime
(reading, sports, exercise--whatever) on a budget?
"The best way that I have found
to cut expenses on my hobbies, which are many, is to attend
auctions. Many times I can buy a whole box of books for $5 or less
and have a new supply of reading materials. There are usually
numerous box lots offered and many times there are craft supplies,
yarn, fabric and other hobby related items in the boxes. Auctions
also inspire me to try new things, as I might be able to purchase
a piece of sports equipment or a craft kit for a few dollars or a
fraction of what it would cost new so I am willing to risk trying
it out. I have also primarily decorated our home from
decorator items and furniture purchased at auctions, although you
would never know unless I told you which items came from a store
and which came from an auction. Many auctions also have brand new
items that have never been used so it is not all old, worn-out
used junk or antiques! Also, my husband usually attends with
me and we think of the auction as a form of free entertainment and
socialization. You can meet all kinds of people and it is fun to
watch the bidding." ~ Lynn
"My main hobby is sewing, which can become expensive. I
enjoy seeing how cheaply I can make items. I sew for
granddaughters and do it for next to nothing. I always buy fabric
on sale and off of the dollar table at walmart. I also recycle
fabric from adult clothing that I purchase at garage sales and
such places as Goodwill. I may buy a blouse for a dime, just to
get the lace off of it. We also have a discount store that sales
millends and other sewing items at dirt cheap prices. I have
bought fabric that sells for $5.oo per yard at Hancocks for as
little as 4 yards @ $l.oo.
When I find a good buy on any sewing item, I purchase it. I buy
patterns when they are 99 cents at Hancocks. I can always go to my
stash and pull out fabric and trimmings to make an item. I have
made short sets and dresses for as little as 25 cents. There are
always plenty of scraps for doll clothes and other small items,
which makes these things free other than my time. I put a lot of
time into their nicer clothing with applique, embroidery, piping
and other embellishments. People think my daughter spends a
fortune on her daughters' clothing and can't believe it when she
tells them how they come about." ~ Janie
"If your hobby is attending plays, concerts, etc, ask
about being a volunteer usher. Generally, you stand at the door
and hand out programs, maybe direct
people to their seats, and 99% of your work is done before the
show begins. You then get to sit and enjoy the show for free!
I am active with a community theater group, and we actually prefer
to have some people in the audience at dress rehearsal, so that we
get some feedback from 'the house.' If your local group is the
same, chances are good that you can attend the rehearsal free --
with the realization that it is a work in progress, and may not be
flawless (same situation if you are in the studio audience for the
taping of a television show). This is also a great
way to expose your children to live performances and teach them
what the expected behavior is -- you haven't invested any money
and can leave if
their attention span is too short!" ~ Becki in Indiana
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"Some very frugal hobbies for my husband and I for
the last 17 years have been board games and working jigsaw puzzles. We
choose the really tough (1000 piece and challenging) puzzles and spread
it across a dining room table. Then we take a few days or up to a week
to work on it. We literally spend hours together working on something
and really enjoying the time together to do it. Occasionally we will
glue it together and frame it or mat it and hang it where we can look at
it and remember how much we enjoyed spending time together doing the
puzzle. Also, with the board games, that is something that we really
enjoy doing all year round, together or even with friends. A one-time
purchase of a board game can bring 15 or more years of enjoyment.
Board games and jigsaw puzzles can be found for nothing at yard or
garage sales." ~ Melanie
"For exercise, I ride my bicycle to work every day,
dropping off and picking up my child at preschool before and after. I
get a good but
not sweaty workout (about 20-30 minutes of cycling each way), we both
get fresh air, and it saves money not using the car more than
necessary. Of course, we have good outdoor clothes and helmets.
For books, magazines, and videos, of course the library is the best deal
around. For sewing projects, I regularly check remnants and stock
up on pretty or unusual pieces of fabric at rock-bottom prices.
For family games, I regularly check the thrift stores for interesting
buys. I have found several great games for about $1 or less. My
boys like to do woodwork, so we let them buy old wooden chairs for less
than $1 at the thrift store and saw, hammer, paint away." ~ Bee
"With spring in the air, take cuttings of your houseplants now.
Place the cuttings in water until the roots start growing and then
plant into potting soil (in Dixie cups if necessary.) Share
or swap with your friends, or if you are anticipating a spring yard
sale, sell your cuttings to the neighbors." ~ Colleen in GA
Editor's Note: Thanks to everyone who took the time to share
his or her ideas!
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