Frugal Living and Fun: Free or Inexpensive Activities and Hobbies

Enjoying a Frugal Lifestyle
Following a frugal lifestyle is very helpful if you have a low income or if you’re saving for a special purchase or event. You need to have fun and continue to enjoy life while you're saving money, though. This is especially important if frugal living becomes your permanent lifestyle by choice or by necessity. Fortunately, many free or inexpensive activities can be very enjoyable and satisfying. While any hobby can become expensive if fancy equipment or clothing is purchased, the following activities can be performed very cheaply or for no cost at all.

Reading Books and Periodicals for Free
Don’t buy books; borrow from a library whenever possible. If you have a library near your home, you probably have access to a huge source of free entertainment and education. If the nearest public library is difficult to visit, borrow as many books as you can to last you between trips. Joining a public library is very often free. A nearby college or university library can be a fantastic resource for learning and fun, although you may have to read books at the library instead of borrowing them.
If you do decide to buy books, check out secondhand bookstores to see if they have inexpensive publications that interest you. Libraries occasionally have book sales where they sell older books or ones that aren't in great condition for a cheap price.
Public libraries often have newspapers and magazines that you can read. Some communities publish free newspapers that describe the latest events in the community and perhaps in other parts of the world as well. These newspapers may be delivered to your home. You may also be able to find them in stores or distribution boxes. Community newspapers often contain crossword or sudoku puzzles to solve as well as information to read. In some cities the newspapers are published every weekday. You may be able to pick up free magazines in your neighbourhood as well.
You may be able to borrow CDs and DVDs from a public library. These could be enjoyable to watch or listen to if you have a device that can play them.

Reading Free Ebooks and Online Periodicals
Many libraries contain computers with Internet access that are intended for public use. Your library may subscribe to sites that provide complete versions of newspapers from around the world as well as magazines and encyclopedias. These resources can be read for free on the library computers. If you want to use a library computer, make a note of the times when it's easiest to find one available. This should reduce the chance of frustration when you visit the library.
If you own a computer or a related device and you belong to the library, you may be able to access the library website and their subscriptions from your home. Where I live, the local libraries have set up an online division where library members can “sign out” books—including recently published ones—by downloading them. After a specified time, the books can no longer be opened on the library member’s computer and are said to have been “returned” to the library. Audiobooks are also available.
Many sources of free ebooks are available on the Internet. Some books can be read online and some can be downloaded. For example, the Project Gutenberg website has a huge collection of books whose copyright has expired. The books cover many different topics, so there are sure to be some that interest you.

Walking can be very enjoyable. It's advisable to choose a safe place to walk, however, especially if you travel alone. There may be a walking group or club in your community that you could join. This may expand the number of places that you can explore and also enable you to make new friends.
Walking
Walking is an easy, fun, and versatile activity. The only equipment you need are things that you probably already have—comfortable shoes, cool clothes for hot weather (and perhaps sunscreen), warm clothes for cold weather, and an umbrella or rain clothes for the rain. A walk can be slow and relaxed or fast and energetic. It can be a solitary activity or an activity shared with a friend or a group of friends.
Walking has many benefits. It allows us to explore places and look at interesting things. Observing nature, looking at buildings and gardens, people-watching, and walking to free events can all be fun activities. Many people find that walking helps them to think and to solve problems. It can also improve creativity. Brisk walking improves mood and provides many health benefits, including helping people to maintain a healthy weight, potentially boosting the activity of the immune system, and reducing the risk of many diseases.
You may be able to take enjoyable walks just by stepping outside your front door. If you need transport to reach a walking area, do some research to find the cheapest way to travel. Bus fares are cheapest on the weekend where I live, for example. In addition, you may be able to purchase fare saver tickets. These are less expensive than cash fares.

Writing
All you need is paper and a pen or pencil and you’re ready to write stories, poems, essays, plays, and books. If you have trouble thinking of writing topics, try brainstorming activities, write a story based on a picture in a newspaper or magazine, or go for a walk and write about what you see.
Keeping a diary or a journal is a fun way to begin writing. The diary could be a general one describing your day or it could be one about a specific topic. For example, you could:
- keep a nature journal
- record observations made during your walks
- create reviews of books that you have read
- make notes describing what you have learned when exploring the Internet
- describe your opinion and feelings about observations that you've made or facts that you've learned
- record a description of specific experiences that you are having, such as losing weight
Journal entries can often stimulate ideas for new writing in the form of either fiction or nonfiction.

Online Writing
Some Internet sites let you set up free blogs. Here you can type your thoughts, ideas, or research for other people to see. Some sites allow you to submit articles or creative writing for free.
If you can’t afford a computer, this doesn’t mean that you can’t do online writing. A library that contains public computers can be very useful. There’s sometimes a time limit for computer use, so compose your blog entry or article on paper before you get to the library to save time. Copying the article from paper should be faster than creating it.
A number of Internet sites supply free photos that you can use if you want to illustrate your blog posts or your articles. You can socialize on some writing sites, which can add to your enjoyment. It's fun to read articles created by other people.

Drawing, Art, and Sculpture
Drawing
Drawing is another activity which can be very inexpensive. All you need to draw is a pencil, paper, and a determination to practice. Professional art supplies aren't required. “How to” books about drawing can be borrowed from a library and helpful articles can be read on the Internet. Once you’ve mastered basic skills, drawing, like writing, becomes a wonderful way to document the world around you, to explore ideas and memories, or to create and enter a world of fantasy. As you improve your drawing or writing skills, these activities should become even more satisfying.
Collages
It's not necessary to draw in order to create art. Collages can be created from images, letters, and words cut from newspapers, magazines, and flyers, perhaps with the addition of found objects. If you intend to sell your collages, you should investigate copyright laws first.
Sculpture
Art and sculptures can be created from natural materials like pressed leaves and flowers, seeds, fallen branches, logs, driftwood, rocks and pebbles, and empty shells found on a beach. If you explore nature, you may be surprised at how many free art supplies you can find.
Other items that enter the home can also be useful for sculptures and art projects, including toilet paper rolls, food cans, and food packages. The idea is not as strange as it sounds. I've seen photos of some lovely sculptures created from everyday objects that entered the artist's home and were intended for a different use.

Gardening doesn't have to be an expensive activity. Seeds can be collected from the wild or from fruit bought as food, for example.
Gardening and Exploring Nature
In its most basic form, gardening requires only seeds, soil, and a container. Mustard and cress seeds don’t even need soil. They can be grown on damp paper tissue or a paper towel placed on a plate or saucer. As the seedlings grow, it's important to make sure the paper doesn’t dry out but is not soaking wet. In a few days to a week, the sprouted seeds will be ready to eat.
You don’t need a garden to grow plants. They can be grown indoors or on a balcony or patio. Your library and the Internet will give you some ideas.
Exploring plants in nature can also be very satisfying. Walking through parks and looking at cultivated plants are enjoyable activities, too. Like a library, a park can be an entertaining place to visit.
Some Advantages of a Permanently Frugal Lifestyle
Computer Activities
If you are able to access the Internet on a computer, a huge range of activities opens up to you. All of the following activities can be performed for free once you have a computer that you can use, except for the cost of Internet access and powering the computer if you own it. Many of the activities can be performed on library computers as well.
- Virtual travelling using free programs like Google Earth and Google Maps with Street View
- Exploring museums and art galleries online
- Learning a new language or learning about a subject that interests you
- Reading books, newspapers, magazines, and articles
- Solving crosswords, sudoku puzzles, and other types of puzzles
- Playing games
- Watching videos
- Creating art (If you do an Internet search for "online image editor" you will be presented with a long list of painting and photo editing programs that you can try.)
- Writing and publishing
- Listening to music and radio programs from around the world
- Communicating with friends, relatives, and the world using email and social media programs like Facebook and Twitter
You can download freeware or free open source software to your computer as well as use free programs online. Some word processors, art programs, and music creation programs are free to download and use.

Listening to a Radio and Creating Music
You don't need a computer to listen to music. Radios with basic features can be bought very cheaply. A radio lets you listen to the latest news and learn about topics that interest you as well as hear music. Listening to a radio is a great way to keep in touch with your community and the world if you don’t have a television or if you don’t have access to the Internet at home.
Dancing to radio music at home can be fun and improve physical fitness. (Start this activity gently if you're out of shape). Creating your own music by singing or by playing inexpensive homemade instruments can also be fun. Instruments that produce interesting sounds can be made with common items in a home or with items that can be purchased inexpensively. The Internet is a good source of ideas for creating instruments, but imagination and exploration at home is useful as well. If you prefer to use a premade instrument, there may be some inexpensive ones available in secondhand stores.

Meeting Friends
Talk is free! Visit friends or go for a walk with them. Museums and art galleries occasionally have free admission days; take advantage of these times. You may be able to find free music performances that you and your friends can attend. Play inexpensive games with your companions, like card games, board games, ball games or disc golf, which is free in some parks. Check your local dollar store for suitable equipment. You can probably think of many other enjoyable and inexpensive activities that you could do with a friend.
Attending Local Events
Joining a local club or social organization or attending free talks open to the public may be interesting and may provide a chance to make new acquaintances. Free music performances and museum visits can be fun even when you don't have a friend to accompany you. Some institutions have open house days that can be interesting to attend.
Other events that are free to attend can also be fun. Street fairs and performances, festivals, parades, farmers markets that include entertainment, and events such as marathons and bicycle races can be enjoyable to observe even when no purchase is made.
Frugal Living: Minimalism Without Extremism
Volunteering
If you have the time, perhaps you can volunteer. Volunteering is a good way to meet people, help others, and sometimes to have fun. Most communities have a wide variety of volunteer jobs available. It's wonderful to participate in an activity that interests you and that helps other people at the same time.
Attending a religious service or philosophical discussion that matches your beliefs or interests could be both enjoyable and fulfilling. Though having fun is generally not the main goal of the activities held in a church, temple, synagogue, or meeting hall, it's sometimes a side effect. The organization may provide opportunities for you to meet people and participate in enjoyable activities as well as volunteer to help others.
Following a Frugal Lifestyle
For some people, a frugal lifestyle may be a necessity. For other people, it may be a choice. As the videos in this article point out, there are advantages to being permanently frugal. Collecting "stuff" doesn't necessarily lead to happiness. Even if money is available, living a frugal lifestyle can be enjoyable and worthwhile. The money that's saved can be used for a special purchase or trip. Whatever the reason for living frugally, it's definitely possible to have fun while saving money.
Questions & Answers
© 2011 Linda Crampton
Comments
These are wonderful suggestions for finding free things to do. I personally love the local library. Not only can I check out books to read for fun but I can also take out dvds to watch, listen to a guest speaker or join an event. My local library usually has a free hands on event weekly. Anything from an apple pie and coffee social to batik printing on tee shirts. It is a fun way to meet people and get out of the house all for free!
I read this again! It had been 9 months, so I guess I needed a refresher. Great ideas! Some of the most enjoyable hobbies are free. Like writing hubs!
A good and useful hub.It takes only a very amount of effort to save money and that's a worthy thing to do, no matter how much money you have. Being frugal is a right way of appreciating life as it is offered to us day by day.
I agree reading is one of the best free hobbies around! I couldn't live without regular access to a public library. In fact, the one in the town I now live in is nowhere near the size of the one I left behind, but I use it a lot more. When I first moved and didn't have internet access, I used its free internet access (my own laptop, not the lib's public computers). Not too keen on the condition of its DVDs, so I haven't borrowed very many.
For those on a fixed income, even basic home internet access is worth every penny. When my kids were little and got bored, I'd point them to the bookshelves because "there's an entire world at your fingertips". The same is true now of the internet. A friend (who *isn't* on a fixed income) but who has a much better computer and faster internet connection than I rarely goes near it but constantly complains she's bored. I even have to look things up for her and then email her the URL. Mind boggling to say the least!
You don't mention photography, but basic digital cameras can be had very cheaply on Craigslist, at yard sales and at *reputable* pawn shops, meaning those who test electronic items before putting them out for sale. Many pawn shops even offer layaway if you find a camera priced above what you can afford to pay on the spot. ;D
Vote up and useful! The pic of the cat caught my eye, first, as I love pets. Then your article on frugal living caught my eye. I have written a couple of hubs on saving money, one related to pets. I love finding ways to save money. It's a fun challenge for me. Thanks for the hub. I'll definitely follow you and see what else you have to share!
A few new ideas for me. Thanks!
Alicia-I love this hub. It is the simple things in life that will often bring us the most pleasure. I remember being on a low income budget for a few years after my divorce and before my graduation as a nurse. I was always at the library with my girls as well as the nature center and the music in the park. Sure, we didn't have lots of money, but we sure still had fun! Great job-voted it up.
These are all great ideas. I know, because we do a lot of them already! Thanks for a great hub.
Great ideas for hobbies that don't cost a lot of money Alicia. I love that you've combined the walking and writing. Going for a walk can open your mind to all sorts of ideas.
Meeting friends is a tricky one - I tend to invite people round for dinner when I want to save money yet then I still have to buy them food which adds up. Spending time with other people seems to be the best way to make me spend money!!
....well I know all about frugal living but I don't necessarily want to make a hobby out of it - lol lol lol - but the human mind as you know is very adaptable - and you served this purpose extremely well in this most entertaining and enlightening hub. You are an excellent journalist and by the looks of your profile - a true angel to all creatures great and small!!!
Walking yes yes yes. And we must catch up with friends. Finally a dear friend and I are getting together every other Wed. eve for two hours - to work on our beading projects and of course share a healthy meal and talk. So wonderful.
All of your ideas work - I'm on my way shortly to the library to return videos, books and magazines. Everything I want is there - without cluttering up my home or spending a penny.
Nice to meet you too. I'll follow!
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