# Low to No Cost Hobbies **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 2, 2012, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757 "2012-12-02T14:37:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/81 "2012-12-05T09:39:10Z")
I also taught myself how to knit (and crochet, and tat, and embroider) out of a book. Nowadays there are any number of videos which will demonstrate how to knit, from start to finish. Here’s one that I’ve bookmarked: [http://www.knittinghelp.com/](http://www.knittinghelp.com/) . ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/82 "2012-12-05T11:49:10Z")
> [@maggenpye](#): > > :smack: 47 years without ever knowing that particular association. > Could have gone a few more. Yeah, I understood what you were describing, but figured some folks would see the sorta veiled entendre. Sorry.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fool_in_the_Rain)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/83 "2012-12-05T13:34:17Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > One of my local thrift shops has a ton of puzzles from between $1 and $3, and I’ve even gotten 3d puzzles from there very cheaply. The best deal was a sealed 3d puzzle of San Francisco for $18. Too bad you live in Deep Space, I’d like to visit that thrift shop 😃 Honestly, I keep forgetting to check out the thrift shops…but then again I do the vast majority of my shopping online nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/84 "2012-12-05T14:35:52Z")
> [@Mach Tuck](#): > > Juggling. Agreed. > [@](#): > > Go to any tennis court and you’ll find some discarded balls. [nitpick] Except that tennis balls are not at all good for juggling - especially not for learning it: too light, too bouncy, not very grippy. Racquetballs partially filled with sand work fairly well. [/nitpick] ---
**Author:** ![LionelHutz405](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lionelhutz405/32/536_2.png) [@LionelHutz405](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LionelHutz405)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/85 "2012-12-05T14:39:00Z")
> [@Mach Tuck](#): > > Juggling. > > Go to any tennis court and you’ll find some discarded balls. Take home three of them and you’re set for life. Take home five or seven and you’re set for several lives. Small bean bags are better for learning. They stay put when you drop them. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/86 "2012-12-05T16:06:28Z")
> [@Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](#): > > Too bad you live in Deep Space, I’d like to visit that thrift shop 😃 > > Honestly, I keep forgetting to check out the thrift shops…but then again I do the vast majority of my shopping online nowadays. [www.shopgoodwill.com](http://www.shopgoodwill.com) [www.gone-tomorrow.com](http://www.gone-tomorrow.com) And of course [www.craigslist.com](http://www.craigslist.com) Are three of my favorites, but there’s a lot out there. When I’m pricing anything that I’m willing to buy used I always start with a google that includes the item description and “thrift”. ---
**Author:** ![Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fool_in_the_Rain)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/87 "2012-12-05T16:13:46Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > Are three of my favorites, but there’s a lot out there. When I’m pricing anything that I’m willing to buy used I always start with a google that includes the item description and “thrift”. That is good info thanks. I’ll definitely keep that in mind for the next puzzle I look for - I’m thinking Notre Dame this time around, a most gorgeous piece of architecture. As to Craigslist - I’ve been leery of it for some reason, but perhaps I should take the plunge. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/88 "2012-12-05T18:33:49Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I think it’s a sexual fetish thing. Not sure, though. All these years quilting, and I haven’t been doing it right. (not looking at link, not looking at link) **maggenpye** , I take it that means you hand-quilt? ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/89 "2012-12-05T18:54:34Z")
I did a web comic for several years, for the cost of paper, erasers, and sharpies. “Pros” use Bristol board, but I couldn’t afford that. Just $5 reams of very white printer paper. Already had a scanner. Editing software called “the Gimp” is free. On balance, I made money (a pittance, but still a very cheap hobby). ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/90 "2012-12-05T19:00:18Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Yeah, I understood what you were describing, but figured some folks would see the sorta veiled entendre. Sorry.😃 Yeah, you look it:) **Gigi** , yes, please no handjob jokes! ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/91 "2012-12-05T19:30:02Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > Agreed. > [nitpick] > Except that tennis balls are not at all good for juggling - especially not for learning it: too light, too bouncy, not very grippy. Racquetballs partially filled with sand work fairly well. > [/nitpick] Very true, but I was going for no-cost. And when I was a kid, I taught myself up to five ball juggling with tennis balls. ---
**Author:** ![Soylent\_Juicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@Soylent\_Juicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Juicy)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/92 "2012-12-05T20:11:53Z")
I’d still like to find a home for my old stamp collection, if anyone wants it. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/93 "2012-12-05T20:16:25Z")
I’ve been having a great (although sometimes frustrating) time taking classes on [coursera.org](http://coursera.org). They offer free online courses from prestigious universities. Currently I’m way over my head in a neuroscience course from Caltech, and am juggling it with a logic course from Duke. If you’ve been hearing about MOOC’s (Massive Open Online Course), this is it. I’ve met people from all over the world via the course discussion forums and associated Facebook pages. My brain was pretty creaky at first having left college over 20 years ago, but it’s a lot sharper now (YMMV on that one!) ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/94 "2012-12-05T20:19:28Z")
Go look through your storage cupboard, shed, garage, under the bed etc. Chances are you’ll find an old hobby or two you’ve abandoned, books you haven’t read, or something that needs fixing. Use what you already have. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/95 "2012-12-05T21:18:33Z")
Umpire. Seriously. I wanted something fun to do, that would get me exercise; that I could pretty much do when I wanted to and wouldn’t cost me any money (after recouping uniform costs, of course). I officiate fast pitch softball. It’s one of the most fun “work” things I’ve ever done. ---
**Author:** ![QuarkChild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c5a1d2/32.png) [@QuarkChild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuarkChild)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/96 "2012-12-05T21:20:48Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I had no idea how addictive composting could be until I started composting for my garden. Yeah, it gets to the point where you walk by your neighbor’s yard when they put their leaves / clippings out for collection and you think, “You’re throwing those AWAY?!?!” I teach at a college, so I have an entire institution’s worth of coffee grounds & food waste to take my pick of. (“You’re throwing away coffee grounds?!?!”) ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/97 "2012-12-05T21:36:25Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > I’ve been having a great (although sometimes frustrating) time taking classes on [coursera.org](http://coursera.org). They offer free online courses from prestigious universities. Currently I’m way over my head in a neuroscience course from Caltech, and am juggling it with a logic course from Duke. > > If you’ve been hearing about MOOC’s (Massive Open Online Course), this is it. I’ve met people from all over the world via the course discussion forums and associated Facebook pages. My brain was pretty creaky at first having left college over 20 years ago, but it’s a lot sharper now (YMMV on that one!) Very Cool. That sight is bookmarked for future perusal. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/98 "2012-12-06T01:11:33Z")
> [@maggenpye](#): > > Yeah, you look it:) > > **Gigi** , yes, please no handjob jokes! :eek: It never crossed my mind. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/99 "2012-12-06T03:07:46Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > I’ve been having a great (although sometimes frustrating) time taking classes on [coursera.org](http://coursera.org). They offer free online courses from prestigious universities. Currently I’m way over my head in a neuroscience course from Caltech, and am juggling it with a logic course from Duke. > > If you’ve been hearing about MOOC’s (Massive Open Online Course), this is it. I’ve met people from all over the world via the course discussion forums and associated Facebook pages. My brain was pretty creaky at first having left college over 20 years ago, but it’s a lot sharper now (YMMV on that one!) Thanks for posting this. I signed up for the drugs course at Caltech. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757/100 "2012-12-06T03:37:11Z")
> [@Ephemera](#): > > I have time I would like to fill. How do you fill yours? Form a movie club or viewing club. Every other weekend, a bunch get together to watch a movie(s) chosen by poll. This is going to be expanded to going to a local bar that subscribes to HBO to watch Game of thrones, that would bring me back to when we used to watch Babylon 5 in similar circumstances and then hop on the net/ AOL, what ever. Depending on how much time you have free, your not limited to weekends. Declan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-to-no-cost-hobbies/642757.md?page=6)