Money-saving Hobbies to Pick Up During Quarantine

Coronavirus has upended a lot of our lives. From lost jobs to dwindling social lives to being in what feels like a permanent pajama state, many of our lives have gotten a lot less dynamic. This new normal has likely taken a toll on your usual hobbies like game nights with your friends, going to exercise classes, or playing group sports. 

If stay-at-home orders have cut out elements of your personal life, it might be time to get a new hobby. Luckily, there are many hobbies you can take on from home that will not only enrich your life but also pad your wallet. 

Sewing
The quarantine hobby I picked up is sewing. I have always been a hand-sewing aficionado – an important skill for mending clothes and home goods – but I recently got my hands on my mother’s vintage ‘60s White Brand sewing machine which allows me to make clothing and home goods rather than merely mending my store-bought ones. Sewing is an activity that can be easily learned and perfected at home. Not only is making items from scratch extremely rewarding, buying fabric and making items from home can save you from paying a store markup – keeping more money in your wallet.

Rehabbing Furniture
Rehabbing furniture is a hobby that can not only save you money but make you money. All it takes to rehab your first piece of furniture is some sandpaper and a can of paint. Rehabbing furniture can help you spruce up what you already own, make cheap furniture look expensive, or make a matching set out of mismatched pieces. Once you’ve filled your home or apartment with all the coffee tables and bookshelves your heart desires, you can use your hobby to make pieces for sale. Not only is it rewarding to breathe life into pre-loved pieces, but you can save some cash by taking on this skill.

Gardening
Gardening is a great way to get outside, do something productive, and save money. Growing your own fruits and vegetables can make your meals tastier and more cost-effective. Some of you may think you don’t have enough space for a garden, but that likely isn’t so. If you have a patio or balcony, you can always have potted plants outside or hang a planter from your railing. No balcony? No problem. Anyone and everyone can have a spice garden indoors. Even if you don’t have a window with good sun exposure, you can purchase a light to go over your spice plants that will give them everything they need. Just remember to water them (set a recurring reminder on your phone if you need to)!

Cooking
I cannot hammer home enough the importance of learning to cook. Making delicious meals at home is one of the healthiest and most financially sound decisions a person can make. Not only is cooking healthy and cost-effective, but learning new recipes can be fulfilling and fun. Turn on your favorite tunes, pour yourself a glass of wine, and start whipping it up in the kitchen! Once the stay-at-home orders are over, you can take your favorite recipes for a spin by inviting your friends over for dinner.

It looks like we are going to be inside our homes for a while longer, which means it is the perfect time to pick up a money-saving hobby. All of the hobbies above include learning new skills, becoming more self-sufficient, and enriching your life. In my opinion, nothing is more freeing than knowing you can take care of yourself. Picking up one of these hobbies will make you more independent and more in control of your finances – freeing up your mind to make more important market decisions.