3 'Cheap' Hobbies That Cost More Than You Think

I'm someone who makes a lot of effort to save money. But I also believe in spending money on the things that make you happy. For me, those things include running, going camping, and baking. But in my experience, these so-called "cheap" hobbies are actually far more expensive than you'd expect them to be.

1. Running

You'd think running would virtually result in a $0 credit card tab. I mean, you're heading to the street and moving your body. Why should that cost anything?

But to run, you need running shoes. And even if you buy fairly inexpensive ones like I do, if you have to swap them often, the cost could really add up.

Nike says the general convention is to change your running shoes after every 300 to 500 miles. Based on my habits, I find that I need a new pair of shoes every three to four months.

Even if I only spend about $65 to $70 per pair, which is typical for me, that's over $200 a year. And that doesn't include having to replace socks that get worn out.

2. Camping

Camping can be pretty inexpensive -- once you have the gear. But getting the gear you need could cost you hundreds of dollars, especially if you're looking to camp as a family.

A four-person tent, for example, could cost you well over $200. A sleeping pad, which you probably want, could cost you $45 -- but that's per person in your household. And you'll need to eat on your camping trips. A basic camping stove might cost upward of $100, depending on the model you buy.

These are only some of the items you might need to pull off a family camping trip. Of course, if you're camping solo, your costs might be less. But be aware that the upfront costs of going camping for the first time can be huge. And even once you have your gear, you might need to replace some of it as it gets worn, plus pay fees to book certain campsites.

3. Baking

You can buy a basic baking set for $50 or less on Amazon. But that doesn't account for the cost of ingredients.

Now, if you're sticking to things like basic brownies or chocolate chip cookies, you may not spend all that much on a per-recipe basis. But some recipes might require ingredients you may not have in your house. And if you're someone like me who enjoys baking new things, the costs can add up -- especially with grocery prices being higher these days due to inflation.

In fact, I recently volunteered to make a large batch of a pretty easy cookie bar recipe for a fundraiser at my son's school. I easily spent close to $15 on ingredients, and that's not including the flour and sugar I already had in bulk in the house.

Spend on the things you love, but choose carefully

It's a good thing to have hobbies, even if they end up costing you money along the way. But if yours end up being more expensive than anticipated, you may need to pick and choose which ones to focus on if money is tight.

On my end, I refuse to compromise on new running shoes. I've cheaped out in the past and stretched older pairs only to feel the impact, so that's an expense I'll prioritize. But if I'm laying out money for a new pair of running shoes, I maybe won't spend the next week playing around with new recipes in the kitchen.

Meanwhile, if you're inspired to pick up a new hobby, you may want to do some research as to what it's likely to cost. That way, you won't be caught off guard.