Near the beginning of our May series that focuses on HOBBIES AND INTERESTS, we promised you two additional blogs. One focuses on saving money with your hobbies and the other on how hobbies can change a life.
Well, somehow, even though we’ve given you a full month of content (including two interviews) we’ve come to the end of the month without doing either of those blogs!
Now, my guess is you do not remember we promised you this content. But we’re girls who believe in keeping our promises.
And so, we’re going to give you two blogs in one! Let’s start with the first one focused on saving money. We’re calling this one:
BONUS BLOG NUMBER 1: Clever Crafts: Hobbies for the Money-Smart
If you’ve read more than a couple of our blog posts, you know I love makeup.
I’d call it a lifelong hobby for me. I stay current with new colorways, techniques, formulations, etc.
When my friends and I have those inevitable conversations about planning for later life, (conversations that would have weirded us out just 20 years ago) most of the conversation centers on financial concerns and aging with dignity.
During those conversations, I’m also pondering if, God forbid, there comes a time when I can’t apply my makeup, who will do this for me?
But I must admit, there’s one thing about makeup I could do without—namely, the weekly washing of makeup brushes and sponges.
I'm happy to report, I have finally solved this frustrating problem. And solved so positively, it has added a whole other dimension to all my hobbies.
Before I found this tip, I’d probably spend as much on brush cleaning products as I had on the brushes themselves. And still, after all of that expense and time spent in the cleaning process, the brushes held residue of the foundation, blushes, and other cosmetics.
Now, both Beth and I get crystal-clean brushes by dunking them into this magical solution:
1 cup water
1 T white vinegar
1 Tablespoon liquid dish soap (we use Dawn)
Directions: Swish the liquids together in a rather tall drinking glass. Dunk the brushes into the liquid and let sit in the liquid for about 20 minutes. Occasionally, go back and shake the brushes a bit.
And that’s it. After 20 minutes run your brushes under cool water and put them on a tray to dry.
Since having so much luck with the cosmetic brushes, I looked into some of my other hobbies to see if there were areas, I could enjoy them even more by saving a bit of money.
Here are some additional tips that might give you some ideas as well:
MAKE DON’T BUY – if you like to cook but don’t like the expense of some items, try making them yourself. It’s easy to make your vanilla extract, ghee, rubs, etc. at a fraction of the price of store-bought.
MAKE DON’T BUY – Hobby of sewing? Here are a few tips from Seamwork. Always “shop your stash first before going into the stores to buy new yardage. Buy “end of the bolt” to save some coin. Trade and borrow supplies from your sewing buddies. Buy in bulk – especially with zippers, elastic, interfacing, etc. Follow the link and read this tip sheet from Seamwork, well worth your time.
MAKE DON’T BUY – Home gardening? Great information from “Don’t Waste the Crumbs.” There are so many benefits to home gardening. Continue to enjoy the process, while saving a little money. Many online seed stores have affordable seeds. collect rainwater and look for gardening supplies at yard sales.
Just like any other area of your life, you probably have a hobby budget as well. Make your hobby dollar stretch just a little further while still enjoying your hobbies by being a little more deliberate and conscience of your spending. ❤️
BONUS BLOG NUMBER 2: How a Hobby Can Change a Life
For most of my life, regardless of circumstances, I have been blessed with an optimistic spirit and boundless curiosity.
But to be transparent, the last couple of years haven’t been the best time for me, mentally (rational thinking and managing difficult situations) and emotionally (moods and feelings.)
Like many people, and without going into a lot of detail, the pandemic had a profound effect on me. And it certainly didn’t help that we lost our mom the same year we were sheltering in place.
I have always been pretty good at rationalizing away life’s upsets and disappointments. But since COVID it’s been harder for me to deal with life’s challenges.
I find myself stacking problems like pancakes and becoming overwhelmed by the size of the stack.
The good news is with the help of a new therapist, journaling, good friends, and family, I’m certainly doing better. And I must say, (and excuse me if I sound dramatic) my hobbies have helped turn “bad” days into better ones.
When I focus on a hobby (baking bread, collecting vintage tee shirts, making paper flowers) or an interest (reading, exercising) I am better for it. It changes my mind and makes me feel like “me” again. I feel better able to face life with reduced anxiety.
On this topic, I want to highlight an episode of Our America called The Life of Seniors. I recently watched Lisa Ling and Our America on YouTube, but I think it was formally broadcast on the OWN Network.
In this episode, we’re introduced to an extraordinary woman, 97-year-old Ida, who lives alone, and is completely self-sufficient but has her 60-year-old daughter living close by.
Ida, the mother to four children, raised her kids as a single mother after her husband sadly passed when the kids were still small.
When her boys were older, (40 and 42) they both were killed in drug-related incidents within three years of each other.
Ida was devastated, without a will to live. Seeing and sensing her mom’s debilitating pain, her daughter, a part-time track coach introduced her mom to the sport of running.
I urge you to watch the program to see how running changes Ida’s life. It is a most inspiring profile of the power of spirit and hobby.
According to the professionals at Mercy Health, hobbies and interests give us a chance to relax, reset, and recharge. Hobbies provide a break from the routine, help us unwind from a stressful day, and calm our minds, therefore decreasing anxiety. They also keep us in good physical and mental health.
Better mental and physical health while having fun with hobbies? Doesn’t get much better than that! ❤️
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