Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

1. Some hobbies don't cost anything. There are people who collect fossils buried in rock(s)

or riverbeds... no charge.

2. For those hobbies that do have a price tag, the thrill is in finding that rare gem and/or the best bargain.

I didn't ask those questions to be serious , only as humor. Seriously though , I have never had one of those " free " hobbies . Mine have always cost plenty !

D. E Jones

  Nick,

        If the answer to my questions is yes, then I think we do have a real hobby here.

D, E. Jones

Apart from whether it costs a lot or not, it's more of an obsession - but it definitely brings a lot of joy and variety - I could hardly do without it. If you can get such a beautiful and rare part at a super low price so it's like birthday and Christmas together.

Arnold

I play pickle ball about 4 days a week ,aside from the initial cost of equipment (less than $100) it cost me nothing.

My thoughts regarding hobbies....much of which is already well stated above.

All hobbies are worth having if they are enjoyed by those participating. This is key. For example collecting doily makers is a hobby for those would collect them but not for me.

Real hobbies do not have a cost range. In other words whether your hobby costs a lot or nothing is not an issue to be considered as to whether or not it is a hobby.

Hobby or obsession.... These terms are not mutually exclusive yet don't require residence in the same person. Can easily be one or the other or both.

Hobbies don't need to have a cost. Within each hobby there is a price range between and including zero and knows no bounds.

For example you can go fishing with a ball of string and a hook or in a million dollar sport fisherman with 250,000 worth of tackle on board. At either end of the spectrum and anywhere in between, the bottom line is that the joy and personal fulfillment you get from your hobby that makes it a "real" hobby.

I feel blessed to have a hobby I am passionate about that allowed me to meet some of the finest people I have ever encountered.

Gil

Wow Gil, well stated !