by Julia Platt

In these hard economic times, most people are thinking more about saving money than having fun, but there are definitely ways to do both. Finding not only a cheap hobby but also one that is fun and new could be a good thing for anyone. There are plenty of fun but very expensive activities out there and there are also plenty of cheap and utterly boring activities, but a happy medium between the two is best. Five activities that should appeal to a variety of different types of people are bicycling, playing Frisbee, playing badminton, arts and crafts, and thrift store shopping.

1. Bicycling - One simple and cheap activity is bicycling. Assuming you already own a bicycle, it costs essentially nothing. Some people may find it boring, but listening to music or going with a friend are simple solutions to that issue. Riding a bike is also an excellent way to exercise, especially here in Helena (because of the wonderful selection of uphills). Though indirectly, it can save money on a gym membership and is good for heart and lung health. Bicycling around town saves money on gasoline as well, and it takes far less time that walking would.

2. Frisbee - Another cheap activity is playing Frisbee. Frisbees are not at all expensive, and they can be used to play a variety of different games. Aside from simply throwing a Frisbee, one can play folf. For those who did not already know, folf is a version of golf where a Frisbee is used instead of a ball, golf clubs are nonexistent, a club membership isn’t necessary, and objects such as trees are used instead of holes. The player or players can collectively decide on the “hole” and determine what “par” for that “hole” is. Another option for those who own a dog is playing fetch with a Frisbee.

3. Badminton – Of all the activities I selected, badminton is probably one of the more expensive ones. But with a little creative thinking it can be a very cheap activity. Buying a net could potentially be considered expensive, but doing so is not necessarily a requirement when purely playing for enjoyment. A hanging sheet, a string, or a line (real or imaginary) draw on the ground can serve as a “net.” And while rackets might also be considered expensive, ping pong paddles, which are less expensive, can be used instead.

4. Arts and crafts – For the people who are more artsy then athletic or who would rather spend time inside, arts and crafts are a suitable alternative. A personal favorite arts and crafts project is making bows, which involves a role of ribbon and either a needle and thread or a glue gun, the needle and thread being by far the cheaper option. Other arts and crafts include making decorations or small gifts, sewing, and origami. Materials such as fabric can be bought cheaply at thrift stores (the dress may not be that great, but the pattern is pretty), and interesting buttons can be useful. Arts and crafts can range in price depending on the materials involved but are fairly cheap for the most part. Aside from being a boredom buster, arts and crafts can also indirectly save money, however small the amount may be. (For example, instead of buying mom a cheesy mother’s day card, why not make one instead?)

5. Thrift Shopping - And last but not least, thrift store shopping is great for anyone who loves to shop. While a large amount of clothes can look ridiculous, there are a few treasures hidden in the racks. And don’t forget that clothing can sometimes be changed to look better or fit better. Along with altering clothes, it is also possible to just use the fabric from one piece of clothing to add to or alter another. Purses, bags, shoes, and a variety of other items can be found in thrift stores as well. The hobbies mentioned above are just a few recession friendly activities and can be the source of a whole lot of fun without spending much money in these hard economic times. And let’s face it, recession or not, cheap activities are still a great option for high school students. There are a variety of cheap hobbies out there for all different types of people, so why not try them out? They may be more fun than you think.