Ask the Readers: What Is Your Favorite Hobby?

Editor's Note: Congratulations to HC, Jeff, and Natasha for winning this week's contest!

We all know it's important to maintain work-life balance. One great way to make sure you have fun regularly is to pick up a hobby!

What is your favorite hobby? What supplies, equipment, or fees are involved, and how do you keep costs low? Are you making any money with your hobby, or do you do it just for fun?

Tell us about your favorite hobby and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — here's how you can win!

Mandatory Entry:

  • Post your answer in the comments below. One commenter will be randomly selected to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

For Extra Entries:

  • You can tweet about our giveaway for an extra entry. Also, our Facebook fans can get an extra entry too! Use our Rafflecopter widget for your chance to win one of the other two Amazon Gift Cards:

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If you're inspired to write a whole blog post OR you have a photo on Flickr to share, please link to it in the comments or tweet it.

Giveaway Rules:

  • Contest ends Monday, August 29th at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Winners will be announced after August 29th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
     
  • You can enter all three drawings — once by leaving a comment, once by liking our Facebook update, and once by tweeting.
     
  • This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook.
     
  • You must be 18 and US resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Good Luck!

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HC

Reading is definitely my favorite hobby. It serves so many purposes: creativity, imagination, informative, spiritual and leisure. And it's free if books come from the library!

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Karen Patterson

i love to knit and crochet.

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Mary Jamison

I just starting learning quiltng and i am hoked

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Guest

My hobby is cooking. I love trying new recipes and experimenting with ingredients.

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Natasha Dickens

Reading is paramount! My hobby is reading. I enjoy fiction, non-fiction, self help and inspirational books. I've had this passion of reading for over 2 decades. I keep cost low by checking out books from the library and downloading free e-books from OverDrive and Hoopla apps. If I need to purchase a book, I aim at finding the ones that are gently used online. I mainly read for fun but currently I am trying to make money from it. With all of the reading that I've done, I started a blog- www.handsforgood.net. At any given time, you will catch me reading several books. I try to complete 1 book a week. Currently, I'm reading 3 books.

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Betty

Reading is my favorite hobby. I use the library, so it's free. And I can do this hobby anywhere!

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Mami2jcn

Reading is my favorite hobby and I keep costs low by visiting the library.

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Elena

My favorite hobby is photography. I don't make money doing it, it's just for fun

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Julie Wood

I love to read books and magazines. That is my favorite hobby.

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Julie

My favorite hobby is knitting. I live in Washington, DC and visit a yarn shop one evening a week to gab with other professional women after work. It's sort of a happy hour substitute, and a great way to wind down!

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SuzyQue1

My favorite hobby is reading.

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Lisa

My hobbies are racing (running) and photography. Running & racing is the more expensive of the two now due to running shoes, race entry fees, and travel. I don't really try to keep costs low for running because it keeps me healthy (I used to weigh 300 lbs) and I have seen a lot more of our country that I would not have seen otherwise (Mt Rushmore, Graceland, etc). However, I do have a side job that I use to fund my running adventures. I used to do portrait work and wedding photography but I don't really have time for that anymore plus it was a lot of pressure so it made it less fun.

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Jenny D

My favorite hobby is reading. I borrow most of my books through the library, so my cost is for gas to pick them up. I will on rare occasions have a late fee, which is very minimal. Sometimes I purchase books and when I do they're usually cookbooks, DIY, or self-help - rarely will I buy a novel. I wouldn't say that I make money, but I definitely save money through the books I read. I've learned how to do a lot of things from books, even novels.

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Gina

My favorite hobby is reading. I get free books from the library or buy $1 books at library book sales.

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Sonja Johnson

I enjoy needlepoint - I make stockings for new babies in the family

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Rust

My favorite hobby is gardening. I love browsing the nursery and seed catalogs in the fall and winter, and planning my garden and flower beds. I like a challenge. I really enjoy the savings I get from starting my own plants from seeds -- huge savings!

I don't make money with my gardening hobby but the returns on my energy and time investment are huge. I love sharing my garden bounty with friends and neighbors, and even give away lots of extra plants and cuttings. And of course, the fresh produce from the garden is wonderful!

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Guest

Reading

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Jessica

Coloring. It's easy, peaceful, and it really helps with my stress. Also, it's a fairly frugal hobby that I can easily share with others for a fun night it.

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Natasha

Knitting is my favorite hobby that actually costs money. I wait for sales at local shops and check online pricing, even though I try to be locally. I've visited several stores over the years to know the general rate for certain supplies to know when to hold out on buying anything new. I don't sell my projects, but they happen to make great gifts.

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Susan Smith

My favorite hobby is reading.

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Mary W

My favorite hobby has always been gardening. I have taken it to the next level by becoming a Master Gardener. If you're serious about gardening, I highly recommend contacting your local Agricultural Extension Agency and sign up for the next class.

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Kelli

Reading, sleeping, travel, playing with my dogs are my hobbies.

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Monique Hubert

I enjoy sending and receiving postcards just for fun. I like to find interesting postcards whenever I travel or find a place selling interesting postcards. I even joined Postcrossing to exchange postcards with people all over the world and the only fees are the postcards and stamps.

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Ernest S.

I love to shoot archery, which is expensive when you are first getting started, but cheap once you have all your equipment. You can also buy used equipment which is usually just as good as the new stuff.

Spending a weekend afternoon outdoor at the range is of my favorite things to do.

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Emily S.

It's a toss up between reading and hiking. Both conveniently affordable!

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Natalie

My favorite hobby is drawing. I love to do pencil drawings of people and animals.

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Kellie

Geocaching! You are only limited by your imagination it seems. Caches are everywhere - some are easy to find and very family friendly, and others take a lot of hunting. Details are listed in the c:geo app. I love it!

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Diane

My favorite hobby is playing music. I play keyboard and sing in an Americana band.

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Liz

I love to read

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BRB

Reading, I wouldn't be able to do most of my other hobbies if I couldn't read about them!

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Susan P.

I have a lot of hobbies but entering sweepstakes is my favorite one. My dad always said that's what the IRS would consider it. After that, pottery, reading and sewing.

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Madeline Kasian

Rubber stamping/making greeting cards is a fun frugal and useful hobby! FOr over 12 years I have not spent money on birthday christmas wedding cards or any cards at all. A small initial investment in a few stamp sets at your local craft store, a small package of paper and an ink pad are all you need to get started.I use Michael's JOanne's and Hobby Lobby coupons for my supplies but you can find paper and trinkets for embellishments just abotu anywhere.I take coasters from the bar and grill where we and gal pals go for happy hour once in a while.Old sewing notions, postcards you can cut up,etc. can be found at flea markets and yard sales.This also provides a great girl's night out for cheap.Set up card tables and get together for a night of making holiday cards and birthday cards to use all year... THis is just the BEST HOBBY! I hope I win!!!!!!!

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MelodyJ

My favorite hobby is reading. It costs money to buy books and magazines. I keep cost down by going to the library. I like to reafing about my other hobbies which are just for fun

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Lynne Shaw

My hobby is crochet - but it has to be with scrap yarn donated or acquired by unravelling old sweaters. I also crochet with scrap-fabric yarn which I make from discarded clothing donated from my friends. I cut it into thin strips and twist the fabric strips until they form a yarn which I wind onto a spool.
Lynne

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Michelle

My favorite hobby is string art- I keep costs low by using coupons, and using every last bit of material that I can, and I make money off of it by selling on etsy!

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Matt

I really like sports and keeping up with what is going on in professional leagues. I also like movies.

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Lynda

i love to read, do crafts, and learn about beauty products

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Renee

My favorite hobbies are cycling and yoga. Unfortunately neither is cheap, but I consider them an important investment in my physical and mental health. I also enjoy reading a lot and keep costs down by buying used books and selling back the books I don't want to keep.

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Kara

I most like to read or listen to music in my free time, but neither usually costs me anything as I utilize the library, iHeartradio, and use YouTube to find the music I wish to hear. I also enjoy entering contests while watching a movie or tv. It costs me nothing but the time I'm sitting there anyway, and while I don't make 'money' per se, I have won some great smaller prizes like gift cards and items I can keep or give as gifts. I think the most I've won at once was valued at $200, but maybe someday I 'll win a big one!

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Donna D

Gardening, the costs involved are for seeds and my time.

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Marlene

I like to read and collect autographs. Although the latter has gotten expensive.

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Elle

Exercise is my favorite hobby, I love going for a walk or run on a beautiful day with my music or with a friend.

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Cacak

When I am not working or chasing my kids around, I love to read. It's the only way to stop my brain from spinning 300/miles per our and working on the "to do" lists in my head. With books - I can easily forget this reality and transfer myself in different place and time.

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Chris

My favorite hobby is reading. I keep costs down using my library system's ebooks library. Free and hey automatically check back in so never any late fees!

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CF

my favorite hobbies are golf, watching movies, traveling and trying new restaurants.

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Guest

We just moved to beautiful Charleston, SC and I really enjoy walking with my family and our dogs. It's a free, easy activity that is good for all of us! And it's a great way to get to know our new neighborhood and all it's wonderful trails.

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An G

my favorite hobby is saving money! I have spreadsheets on what I have save :)

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Shana

My favorite hobby is walking my puppy around the neighborhood and getting hooked on new (or old replays of) TV shows :).

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C Hui

Gardening and estate sale shopping

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Catseye

Reading/buying books used to be my fave hobby a few years ago and I still read, just not as much. I just don't have much time and energy for hobbies right now.

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Pam ricks

My favorite hobby is reading-books, magazines, newspapers or even online websites.

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Jeff

scuba diving

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Tracy

Hiking and exploring our beautiful country.

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Rebecca Ross

I have so many hobbies that I love. I love to bead jewelry, paint, scrapbook, make things with my Cricut machine, draw blueprints of tiny houses, color, etc. I don't really have a favorite, I just do a lot of crafts.

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Roger

My favorite pastime is gardening. It's both relaxing and a great source of exercise. Gardening can cost almost nothing, plus it can save money. The fresh vegetables you get can be a good deal less expensive than your local store.

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Carol

My favorite hobby is making Scrabble tile necklaces. I can buy all my supplies online, but I love finding old Scrabble games at thrift stores and yard sales. I also make wall art from the boards, using the tiles for words that mean something to the person I am giving it to. I love doing the necklaces because I can pick out art/maps/ephemera that have meaning, or just make them fun. You never know what will appeal to people. I have not sold any, but I would love to start.

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MELISSA HANSSON

My favorite hobby is reading. My husband works for a bookstore chain and we own over 4,000 books.

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Raul Santillan

baking

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Sapi

My hobbies are learning a foreign lamguage, hiking with my husband, trying new local food, and traveling.

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GB

I love to read as a hobby.

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Happy Love

Personal finance is my hobby.

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April

My favorite hobby is reading and watching movies.

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Guest

I love swimming!

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JD

I enjoy gardening. I planned to start a blog and share my experiences and review certain products that I use.

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Louly

I really enjoy cooking and photography.

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Miss Kim

My hobbies are cooking and baking and trying new recipes.

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Michael K

Golf all the way!

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Ashley Park

I like to enter sweepstakes, read, garden and cook.

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Kat

My favorite hobbies are reading and baking.

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Michelle D.

I love reading, especially fictional novels as well as self-help books. I'm really into health and reading about different herbs, supplements, health recipes, etc as well as natural cures and alternatives.

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Ana Lee

My hobby is couponing!