April 11 Topic

[Skywalker]

Topic 1. The best holiday destination : tropical island vs. city (vs. bush)

Topic 2. 10 Inexpensive Hobbies You Can Start This Year

(Originally from http://www.lifehack.org/articles/money/10-inexpensive-hobbies-you-can-start-this-year.html)

Everyone should have a hobby, but sometimes the costs really outweigh the benefits of discovering one that’s best for you. Not anymore!

This post will show you that there are tons of great, inexpensive hobbies and activities you can pick up if you are looking for a change in your life. From hiking to scrapbooking, you can learn a totally new skill or enjoy the outdoors for less than than a few hundred dollars a year. Read on to find out more about them.

$100 or Less

1. Hiking – All you need is the great outdoors. Well, you need that and some quality clothes of course! When you go hiking, it’s important to get hiking boots that are fitted correctly so that you can avoid blisters and unnecessary foot pain. If you are hiking and camping on the same trip, that will get more expensive since you will likely have to purchase a tent and other supplies. However, if you just want to hike, you can spend less than $100.00 for a nice pair of hiking boots. Oh, and don’t forget to look on the ground for an excellent free hiking stick!

2. Blogging – Blogging is an awesome hobby to have that might also transform into part-time income some day. All you need is a few dollars to buy your domain name and hosting. For less than $100, you can start off with a smaller site and only spend more for hosting as your site grows. Also, it’s completely free to market your blog on social media and make new friends at the same time.

3. Reading – Reading is such an easy (and often free!) hobby. Whether you love the newspaper or your e-reader, this is quite possibly the best hobby for improving your brain. Reading can actually be 100% free if you’re devoted to your local library.

$200 or Less

4. Tennis – Tennis is one of those sports that can either be very inexpensive or very costly depending on how much time you want to devote to it. If you just want to hit a ball with a friend, all you need to purchase is a racket and tennis balls. However, if you really, truly want to make this a hobby for the long term, investing in some instruction is a wise idea.

5. Scrapbooking – Anyone who loves scrapbooking can tell you that it can get costly. However, with a little self control, you can make absolutely gorgeous scrapbooks for your friends and family for under $200 a year. Remember to search for supplies on places like eBay and resell the ones you aren’t using to get back some of your investment.

6. Guitar – If you’ve always wanted to learn a musical instrument, the guitar is a great place to start. You can often purchase a used guitar to practice on until you gain enough confidence to invest in a more expensive piece. Ask your friends for lessons or search YouTube for great, free tutorials.

$300 or Less

7. Cooking – Some of the best people in my life love to cook. They enjoy exploring new recipes on free online sites and trying out new cuisine. The endless lists of ingredients can definitely get expensive for cooking experts, but the satisfaction of their family members is well worth it!

8. Ballroom Dancing – Ever since Dancing With The Stars came out almost a decade ago, ballroom dancing has surged in popularity again. All you need to do is sign up for a class and grab a partner. Most large studios even host dance nights where you can practice your skills, making for a very fun night out.

9. Sewing – Sewing is a great hobby to have. The biggest expense will be the machine. Some experts can spend thousands of dollars on a machine, but if you are just getting started, order a modestly priced one and ask your grandmother to give you some lessons! While you may be tempted to buy all the supplies you will need at once, just build your collection slowly as you add on new skills. This approach will help keep sewing affordable and fun.

10. Video Games – Video games can actually build a lot of skills, although it’s not advised that you spend all your days playing them! For just a few hundred dollars a year, you can purchase a game console and start enjoying time with your friends as you try to beat them to the next level!

As you can see, there are so many great, inexpensive hobbies that you can take up to fill your spare time or learn something new. Remember, hobbies don’t have to be expensive to be fun! With just a little bit of monetary investment, you can learn a life-changing skill and make new friends along the way.

Talk about what hobbies you want to start this year.

[Staff *]

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[Skywalker]

I'm coming.

[Lynn J]

I am in