It’s easy to get the feeling that every hobby requires money that you would rather not spend. That’s exactly why these five frugal and minimalist hobbies stand out, because they offer fun without the pressure of constant costs. The shift to a simpler lifestyle has changed the way I use my time and energy, and it has opened the door to hobbies that truly bring happiness without adding clutter or stress.
Over the past few years, I’ve focused on saving, investing, and clearing out anything that no longer supports the life I want. Letting go of excess furniture, clothes and random items has created the space to discover new interests that really suit me. I declutter regularly, share with friends and family, and make room for habits that support a more conscious lifestyle. As I rethink every part of my life, I’ve become more selective about the activities I choose, and these simple hobbies have had the biggest impact.
My former hobbies
As a child I liked to collect things. Whether it was stamps, Pokémon cards, stickers or shells: I had them all. When I grew up, those things had little value to me anymore. I stopped caring about them altogether.
My mother noticed that I stopped caring about them and gave all those things away. Of course I was surprised when I found out years later – but the fact that I didn’t miss them for so long says it all.
After realizing that I didn’t need or want these things in my life, I noticed that having fewer things means you don’t have to worry much.
I decided that cleaning up would be good for me, that was the end of collecting all the things.
Another hobby I had was reading. I went to the library twice a week and read 10 books a week – no joke. I would also request books for my birthdays or other celebrations. The result? I would have a whole bookcase full of books.
This is another hobby that I had to give up because it took up too much space in my room.
My frugal and minimalist hobbies
After I let go of some of my old hobbies it was time for something new. Something that didn’t take up so much valuable space in my small house.
At the same time, it’s good to see that these hobbies that take up less space also save me some money.
Here are some of my hobbies!
1. Reading
As I said, I loved to read as a child. I still do that. I love diving into books and reading for hours. During most years of my adult life, I would finish somewhere between 30 and 50 books.
Reading is a hobby that could even be completely free if you rely on your local library for your books. But if you buy every book you want to read completely new, it can become quite an expensive hobby.
If you stick to what’s available at the local library and don’t buy books unless you know you’re absolutely going to read them, you’ll be fine.
What I’m currently doing is taking my e-reader on my four-month mini-retirement, where I’ve saved up about 100 books. I usually got them from friends, so they didn’t cost me anything.
My favorite books so far:
2. Blogging
Well, this one certainly doesn’t take up much space! All you need to start a blog is a functioning computer. Maybe a desk, otherwise the bed would work fine.
Basically all you need is a computer, and that’s about it. I’m fortunate to have access to both of those things.
I started my blog in December 2018 with Bluehost and it has served me so well.
I even earn a small income from blogging – which is nice. It’s not like I make thousands and thousands a month from blogging, but between $100 and $150 a month. That’s more than I hoped for when I started.
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I personally took the course and absolutely love it, it has brought me so much! I never thought you could make money blogging in such an easy and natural way.
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3. Board games
Playing board games is something I like to do with friends or family. I often play board games when I have an evening with friends. Depending on where we are, we play different board games.
Playing board games can get expensive when it comes to buying new board games quite often. If you focus on playing the games instead of buying them, it’s not such an expensive hobby.
If you go to different places with your friends for board games, you don’t have to buy them all yourself. This means you don’t have to save them either.
Classic games we play are Monopoly or Risk. Other favorites include Ticket to drive, Settlers of Catan, and is a recent favorite Stone Age.
Moreover, board games are easily accessible online. Play some classics like Yahtzeethe classic dice game where you roll the dice thirteen times and score the most points in different combinations.
4. Walking
To clarify: by walking I mean going out on foot and exploring green nature reserves. Whether it’s a 30-minute walk through a forest near your home, backpacking in a national park, and everything in between. I think that’s walking.
It is a hobby that costs little and is very relaxing. It is a peaceful hobby that you can practice almost anywhere. All you need is a nice park or forest area where you can walk or hike.
I like to spend time in nature. It’s a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives.
It’s the simplicity that really appeals to me. Just go outside for a walk to get some fresh air and sunshine and move your body.
If you are walking at a low intensity through relatively flat areas, you can simply do so with the regular clothes you already have.
If you are hiking uphill on uneven terrain, you may want to buy some hiking boots. That’s all you need. I have a nice pair of hiking boots that I have used to climb quite a few mountains on many continents. They still last.
5. Photography
Today you can start photography. It’s something I absolutely love, although I have to say my materials aren’t the best of the best.
Every time I go on vacation, travel or have an event, I love taking photos.
Photos are a great way to preserve memories and remember the places you’ve visited!
What are your favorite frugal and minimalist hobbies?
Expertise: Personal finance and travel content
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Radboud University, Master’s degree in Finance from Radboud University, Minor in Economics from Chapman University.
More than 200 articles, essays and short stories published on the Internet.
Experience: Marjolein Dilven is a journalist and founder of Radical FIRE, a personal finance platform, and Spark Nomad, a travel platform. Marjolein has a financial and economic background with a master’s degree in Finance. She quit her job to travel the world and document her travels on Spark Nomad to help people plan their trips. Marjolein Dilven has written for publications such as MSN, Associated Press, CNBC, Town News Syndicate and more.
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