If you are someone who has a lot of hobbies and interests that require a lot of money, there’s no reason why you need to give up on those little joys to save up. With some adjustments and concessions, you can still enjoy things you love without losing all your disposable income. Here are some tips and hacks for enjoying your interests and passions without breaking the bank.
Arm yourself with information
The more you know about your hobby, the more you can avoid over-paying. For example, if your hobby is photography, knowing the gear that gives the best bang for your buck will help you avoid paying double for cameras or lens that can provide the same effect. Don’t just take a salesperson’s word for it; their literal job is to convince you to pay for more.
Another worthy investment is attending seminars and training. Learning from professionals you admire might save you more money than purchasing all the latest camera models and lenses and the most expensive Photoshop tools. Being under the tutelage of a teacher might help you gain some tips on where to get cheaper gear that still achieves the output you want.
Buy out of season
If you love winter sports, consider buying gear and clothes off-season. Wait for sales and discounts during spring and summer, when colder months are still a long way off. Many reliable stores often have sales for Obermeyer jackets during warmer months, so don’t miss out on those off-season discounts. The same goes for buying swimsuits and rash guards; consider purchasing them during wintertime when demand is at its lowest.
Rent or borrow what you can
If the sport you love requires equipment, consider borrowing or going for hand-me-downs, especially since they achieve the same effect as brand-new ones anyway. Look around for family and friends who might have been into the sport in the past, and consider borrowing theirs or buying it for a portion of its original price. Sports and fitness equipment is one of those things that don’t need to be brand-new to work the way they’re supposed to work unless the piece of equipment is already broken.
Don’t go for the first deal you see
If your hobby includes collecting things like shoes, clothing, books, and others, make a habit of not going for the first deal you see online. Many online stores provide the option of seeing items similar to what you’re looking at, so practice scrolling down to see items that are the same but come with a smaller price tag.
Go on forums
Another way you can look for the best deals is by touching base with people online who share the same hobbies. Remember earlier this year when Reddit users banded together to drive up the share price of struggling companies? That’s an example of how internet forums can provide each other with information and resources to make lasting changes.
On a smaller scale, having a community of like-minded people on the internet who can show you the ropes of thrifting and saving money on your hobbies might be extremely useful. Just practice internet safety and protect yourself from scams!
Carefully choose what you spend on
Here are some practical tips on carefully choosing what you open your wallet for:
- Organize your expenses according to tiers. You can categorize according to priority, and you can add a category for luxury items. This will help you streamline your options and know what you need to purchase first.
- Eliminate those you can live without. If you don’t need five streaming services, then go for just one. Choose the one with the content you watch the most.
- Fight impulse-buying. One of the biggest saving challenges of our day is not buying everything we see online. If you tend to search and scroll about your hobbies, don’t impulsively buy every item on the shopping page that catches your fancy. Plan and organize your purchases, and fight the urge to shop impulsively.
- Opt for products that last longer. Go for quality instead of quantity, and watch as your collection stands the test of time.
Choose hobbies you can make money off of
Last but not least, check if you can make your money back through the hobby. Does your collection grow in value over time? Consider if you can sell it eventually when you lose interest, or if you can provide services with your hobby.
Spending on our hobbies need not drain our savings. Set some boundaries with yourself and enjoy.
