Like many hobbies materials can consume the budget and discourage someone from starting. I once belonged to a Facebook group that had “budget” in its’ title, I discovered many of the members did not know what the term “budget’ meant. These hobbyist would discourage beginners from purchasing an inexpensive but good product in lieu of a more expensive one. If you are a beginner you should not be spending thousands of dollars on an activity you may not want to pursue.
I am not suggesting that a person should purchase the cheapest supplies. But, there are some things that can be purchased cheaply that can get you started. For example:
- Gardening tools can be purchased at the dollar store if you are planning to create a small area garden. You can also purchase small tubs and poke holes in them for containers.
- A sewing machine from Walmart works just as well as one of the high end machines from a “brand store”. When I purchased my Brother JX2157 for $70 at Walmart I got the extended warranty and never used it. (That was 3 years ago). I suspect people have problems with most of their tools because they do not properly maintain them; they speak negatively about the equipment even though they treated the equipment poorly.
- I have had friends who have purchased cheap knitting “starter kits”. You would be better off purchasing knitting needles and a pack of yarn and watching a YouTube channel. And, you would save money.
- I learned how to make soap and candles by going to Hobby Lobby and purchasing the basics, with a coupon after watching YouTube and reading a few blogpost on how to make soap and candles.
The worst advice anyone can tell anyone who is starting a new hobby begins with: “You have to…” I do not care how much money you have to spend, start at the beginning without the big investment.
I would love to grow, harvest and spin cotton. Last year I planted cotton and produced a few bowls but I also ordered cotton and an inexpensive drop spinner. I have been trying to learn how to spin cotton for months now but I really have not had the time to master on the skill. My total investment thus far- about $20 versus the thousands I could spin to get started. It takes practice to spin as well as the people you see spinning fibers on YouTube.
The best advice I would give to anyone starting a new venture: Like buying a new car it is best that you “test drive” a hobby before you go all in.
Everything I do I enjoy and the money I have invested I do not regret. My hobbies are no longer just hobbies they are businesses.
written by Marsha L F Randolph
NETTIE-OLOGY /NETTIE-ISM reflects the opinions of and is the soul property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. Disagreeing with what is written is not offensive to the author a disagreeable comment will be deleted.
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