Five hobbies for minimalists

A lot of hobbies require stuff. Stuff costs money. Stuff has to be stored and organized.

But there are plenty of activities that don't require all that.

Writing
You don't need fancy software to start writing. A pen and paper, or a computer and Google Docs will suffice. Resources on how to write are available for free online and in libraries.

Reading
Many people don’t take advantage of libraries, but they offer free books (and other media, like DVDs). Check out Goodreads and Twitter for book recommendations.

Running
All you really need to start running is a safe location and a good pair of shoes. Search for online running forums for tips. Many cities have running groups that welcome beginners (check your local free newspapers). Some health insurance plans will reimburse race registration fees, too.

Volunteering
You can volunteer at animal shelter or soup kitchen, serve as a companion at a local senior center or nursing home, read to children at schools, volunteer at a museum docent ... the possibilities are really endless. I attended a dinner recently in which a woman told me she volunteered as an usher at a local community theater, and was able to see shows and concerts for free.

Baking
This is a personal favorite of mine. All you need are a few pantry staples (flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, etc.) and a few pans (check out thrift stores for great deals, although you may already have a lot of what you need) and you can start baking bread, cakes, cookies, and pies. Allrecipes.com is a great place to start finding recipes. Bringing home-baked desserts to a party is a great way to save money, too.