Choosing a Hobby Wisely
Even though I am not as good at crafts as I would like to be, I enjoy the diversion of getting to really sit down and spend some time with my hot glue gun and create things for our home and for my children. My crafting skills have made beautiful gifts for my friends and family that, in the long run, saved us lots of money. Taking classes, like a cake decorating course at Michael's, was less of an investment than two birthday cakes and have given us years of yummy cakes to share with my family. Building skills and finding new hobbies can be a great investment.
But let's face it, hobbies can be an expensive endeavor and can end up costing you more money than saving you money. As I looked around the mounds of crafting goodies that I have accumulated over the years, I see lots of dollar signs and failed attempts at crafts that I thought would be able to keep my interest.
Since it is a New Year, I challenge you to use the craft supplies that you already have and get familiar with some of those old hobbies, instead of investing more money into more craft supplies. Look at some of those well-intentioned purchases and figure out ways that you can get your money's worth out of your supplies.
Here is a reason why exploring an inexpensive hobby can be a great investment...it can keep you out of the stores. Instead of spending time shopping, you have something that you can be doing at home for fun (or even for profit!)
I try to avoid going into the craft stores as much as possible because it seems to feed my addiction for wanting to learn new skills that might cost me money. Instead, I try and concentrate on learning new skills at home or finding new ways to use the craft supplies I already have (although I have been known to give into a good ribbon sale now and then).
This year, I want to get my craft supplies organized since that seems to be half the battle for me. Once I get my items in order, it will help me to discover what I already have. I would imagine that there are some duplicate purchases in there and this will help me for future investments and knowing what I really need.
I also would like to renew my interests and learn some new skills with the stuff I already have. I got a sewing machine last year and still have not really sat down to use it. As a Christmas gift my mother-in-law gave me tons of sewing supplies to get me started and even offered to show me a thing or two on the machine. I am going to take her up on the offer and make use of the investment I already made.
Maybe you have some things lurking in your craft room that are taking up space and accumulating dust. Why not brush them off and take a moment to rediscover that adventure that you were hoping to try. Ask a friend or family member to help show you the ropes to a new skill or explore your adventure online to learn new skills. The library is also a popular place to explore a hobby without any money spent at all.
Looking for supplies for a particular crafting project that you had hoped to complete? Why not check your local Freecycle group and see if anyone has given up on their hobbies. Many people have good intentions of starting a hobby and then find other things to keep them busy. See if anyone has crafting supplies that can make your new hobbies come to life.
Sound Off: Do you have any craft supplies that are gathering dust in your house? What is something you have always wanted to try, but haven't been able to yet? How do you keep your craft space organized (or do you?)?
Want more like this post? Read on!
- Knowledge Knowledge is another key frugality that perhaps doesn't spring first...
4 Responses to “Choosing a Hobby Wisely”
January 15th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Yarn! I “took up” knitting over the summer when I was home with our son. I have the same four skeins of yarn, still not knitted into anything recognizable. I thought it would be a great hobby because it would help me with my weight loss — it’s difficult to knit and eat at the same time. I envisioned myself getting good enough to knit in front of the TV, but I never have. Maybe I’ll pick it back up again! Thanks for the reminder…
January 15th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
What a timely post . . . I have been convicted about the amount of money I’ve been spending on impulse purchases, which are often craft supplies. Having asked a friend to help keep me accountable, I confessed it all to my husband today. Hey, I even asked him tonight if I could spend 25 cents on a skein of DMC floss for my latest cross stitch project! Seriously, though, I started organizing my fabric last fall, and need to finish the job. I was surprised at how many 1+ yard pieces I have; having them organized helped at Christmas time, when I was able to make an entire project from what I already had in my stash. I keep my fabric in plastic totes, all folded into the same size rectangles. Larger pieces are further labeled with their size, making it easy to determine whether any are suitable for whatever project I have in mind.
January 16th, 2008 at 8:26 am
I’m a knitter. I keep it under control by only buying yarn for specific projects and then keeping a list of those projects and crossing them off as I do them. I’ve found that using up yarn from my stash can be just as exciting as buying new yarn. I also keep a list of future projects, which I obsess over, but it helps me plan my projects rather than buying according to the latest whim. If I’ve drooled over the idea of making a sweater for a couple months, chances are pretty good I’ll actually make it (vs. an impulse purchase). I also sell/trade yarn I no longer want so it doesn’t weigh down my stash and cause guilt.
January 16th, 2008 at 10:20 am
I keep my yarn and fabric stashes corralled (mostly)in a cabinet, and although it is stuffed, I pretty much know what is in there. I would love to only buy what I need for a project, but I can’t stand the thought of paying full price for it. I can’t resist stocking up when I find a great price.
I would love to learn to quilt, which would also help to use up some of that fabric stash!
Leave a Comment