Retirement gives us the time and freedom to start new hobbies and interests.
Having cheap hobbies in retirement is a great way of making your money go further.
Retirement is like a blank page which we can fill with all the things we have dreamed of doing.
There’s no reason to be bored in retirement.
There are many inexpensive and cheap hobbies that you can try.
Here’s a list of seven hobbies you can start in retirement that are cheap to do.
Reading
Writing
Drawing
Photography
Biking
Walking
Cooking and Baking
Reading
There are many different ways in which you can read. Reading can be as straight forward as picking up a magazine or newspaper.
It can also mean reading novels or reference books.
Magazines and are a great way to reintroduce yourself to reading if you have not read so for a while.
Typically articles are in short, bite size chucks allowing the reader to read the newspaper or magazine on the go.
Novels are much longer and allow the reader to explore different worlds and new characters.
Novels are great value for money as they can take a long time to read.
They are even better value if you join a library.
Many people prefer to learn something when reading and like factual books.
There are books on virtually every subject from self- help to technology so they should be something to suit everyone.
For more on the joy of reading in retirement – and how it can give your brain a workout.
Writing
Often people don’t class themselves as a writer. After all, we are used to thinking of writers as professional novelists or journalists.
Let’s reconsider this though and think about the different ways you can write.
Writing can be as simple a starting a diary or journal to record your activities and thoughts.
These are helpful ways of expressing your feelings and reviewing what was good or bad in your day.
You could write your memoirs as a way to recollect what you enjoyed previously and help you plan for the retirement years ahead.
For the more adventurous you could write that novel that you have always considered.
After all they say that there is a book in each of us.
Alternatively you could write poems, start a blog or write to long lost friends or relatives.
There really are so many different ways in which you can write and they are all inexpensive if not free.
Drawing
Drawing can be a useful way to relax and unwind.
Losing yourself sketching with a paper and pencil can allow you to switch off from your day to day worries.
You don’t have to be an expert drawer. Doodling for fun can be just as rewarding.
Why not take a paper and pencil with you the next time you go to a coffee shop and try drawing the things you see around you.
Drawing makes you more aware of your surroundings and the shapes and shades of objects.
If you need help in learning to draw of want to improve your skills you can always sign up for lessons at a local art school or check Youtube videos for advice.
You can draw anything from people to historic buildings you see on your travels.
Drawing is an inexpensive way of spending a couple of hours when travelling too.
Tourists tend to rush from one landmark to another.
In retirement you don’t need to rush.
What could be more therapeutic than sitting in an exotic foreign café sketching the scene in front of you ?
It’s an afternoon’s entertainment for the price of a cup of coffee!
For more slow travel ideas.
Photography
Photography, like drawing can change the way you look at the world. It doesn’t have to be expensive either.
Most people have cameras on their phones nowadays and many of these are just as good as the professional cameras from a few years ago.
Photographing people and places causes you to look with fresh eyes at familiar people or places.
You will start to notice shadows, shapes and how different angles give an entirely new perspective on things.
You could join a photography club or start your own Instagram or Tiktok account.
These are all free to try.
Taking up photography can give you a reason to go outside when it’s cold or raining.
You may start to enjoy the winter scenes and take more notice of how they contrast with the same place in spring or summer.
For more on the joys of photography in retirement
Biking
For the more energetic why not try biking.
It’s a pleasant way to get some fresh air and exercise.
There are so many different types of bikes to choose from ranging from top of the range road bikes to e-bikes that can help to take the strain on hills or when getting back in to biking after a long break.
Equally there are so many ways in which you can use our bike.
You can train for the local road races or test yourself on a mountain track.
Then again you can use a bike just to go to the local shops.
It’s free whichever way you use your bike and you might even be saving money on petrol.
Need more information on how to get back in to biking in retirement?
Walking
Walking speaks for itself really.
It’s something that most of us have been able to do for most of our lives.
Despite this it’s surprising how few steps many people take on a daily basis when working.
When commuting by car it’s not uncommon to park as near to the office/place of work as possible. It’s all too easy to return home without having had to walk very far at all.
In retirement there is no excuse.
Walking is an easy way to get back in to exercising.
There are watches that can keep track of how many steps you take in a day so it’s easy to set targets and monitor your activity levels.
You don’t have to focus on the numbers though. Why not just try to walk to a friend’s house or to the local shopping centre to start with.
It’s cheap, healthy and can save you money on fuel and parking fees.
If you are a confident walker already why not join a walking or hiking group.
This is an easy way in which to meet new people, share experiences, and make new friends.
Cooking and Baking.
It’s difficult to find the time to enjoy preparing meals and trying new foods when we are working.
Retirement gives you the opportunity to spend more time thinking about what you want to eat.
It’s also usually cheaper to prepare your own meals and healthier too.
After all you will know exactly what ingredients you have used.
There are a number of ways in which you can enjoy cooking.
Why not make some of your favourite recipes that you haven’t had time to prepare in a while.
Book yourself on a cookery course and try different types of food.
Struggling for ideas? Have a look at Pintrest or Youtube for inspiration.
These are just seven cheap hobbies that you can try in your retirement.
They are easy to try and who knows where they will lead you.
It’s one of the benefits of retirement that you are free to choose what to do with your time.
Enjoy trying something new, or picking up on an old hobby now that you can.
It really doesn’t matter what you try.
If it makes sense to you it doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else!
For more ideas on how to live a happy and fulfilling retirement check our articles below.
One Response