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Budget-Friendly Hobbies for Seniors
You don’t need to spend a fortune to stay active, creative, and engaged. The best hobbies are often the ones that bring daily joy and connection — without straining your wallet.
Easy & Affordable Hobbies (Low-Tech Options)
If you prefer hands-on activities that don’t involve screens or logins, these simple ideas are perfect:
Grow a Mini Garden: Even with limited space, you can grow herbs right on your windowsill. The Planters’ Choice Indoor Herb Garden Starter Kit is affordable and beginner-friendly, with everything you need to start growing fresh basil or parsley indoors.
Relax with Color & Creativity: Adult coloring and painting are calming, budget-friendly ways to stay creative. Try Crayola Colored Pencils for Adults for vibrant colors that glide easily on paper.
Other great picks: join a local walking group, volunteer at a garden or museum, or host a weekly card night with friends.
Explore & Learn from Home (Online Options)
If you’re comfortable using a computer or tablet, you can unlock endless free or low-cost hobbies online:
Take a Creative Class: Learn watercolor, photography, or guitar through Skillshare, which offers affordable beginner courses.
Join a Virtual Club: The AARP Virtual Community Center hosts live online book clubs, yoga sessions, and art workshops—completely free.
Hobbies keep your mind sharp, your body moving, and your heart light. You don’t need fancy gear—just curiosity and consistency.
💌 If you found these ideas helpful, forward this newsletter to a friend. Exploring new hobbies together can make the journey even more enjoyable.
On Health
Healthy recipe: Green No-Bean Hummus
Helpful health resource: Eyebobs offers eyewear that’s not only functional but also bold, playful, and uniquely you.
Free fitness class for Seniors Magazine subscribers: Try a senior-friendly personal training session over Zoom or FaceTime—your first class is free. Ongoing sessions are $30 each. Just reply and say “free fitness class.”
On Finances
Useful financial resource: Trust & Will makes it easy to protect your family’s future by guiding you step-by-step in creating a will or trust online.
Free portfolio audit for Seniors Magazine subscribers: Get a professional review of your investments to ensure your portfolio fits your goals. Just reply and say “free portfolio audit.”
Seniors Magazine’s free helpline is here for you 24/7.
Just call or text 1-740-4-SENIOR (1-740-473-6467) anytime (weekends, weekdays, 24/7). A real human will either pick up or get back to your voicemail or text.
Tip: Save this number in your phone now.
Our helpline is a free service to connect you with experts who can help solve common problems seniors face, including but not limited to:
🤝 Loneliness
📜 Estate planning (wills, trusts, etc.)
🏘️ Finding a retirement community (55+, independent living, assisted living, etc.)
🏥 Finding optimal health insurance options
🧾 Establishing long-term care insurance and/or final expense insurance
📈 Finding professional investment advice (portfolio reviews, ongoing guidance, HELOCs, reverse mortgages, tax planning, debt consolidation, annuities, etc.)
🏃 Finding a fitness coach who supports seniors over videocalls
📸 Digitizing old photos and videos
🛠️ Finding remodeling companies used to modifying homes to age in place
👩⚕️ Establishing in-home personal or home health care
🌳 Genealogical research
✍️ Writing your memoir ⬅ our favorite!
🧸 Writing and illustrating a children's book
📚 Publishing or promoting a book you’re writing
✈️ Planning and booking your next vacation
Don’t tackle life without (free) support. Just call or text 1-740-4-SENIOR (1-740-473-6467) at any time and tell us what you need. If we don’t pick up when you call, leave a message. It’s free for you; you’ll only pay a service provider (like a lawyer, since we’re not lawyers) if they have what you’re looking for.
Quick Poll (vote to see the anonymized current results)
Do you have a will or estate plan in place?
Grandkids Corner
The Best Sports Gear to Encourage Active Grandkids
Brought to you by Grandkids.com
Helping grandkids stay active is one of the best gifts you can give them—physically, emotionally, and socially. The key is matching the right gear to their age and energy level. Here’s how to do that without overcomplicating it (or overspending).
For Younger Kids (ages 4–10)
At this age, it’s all about fun, movement, and building coordination. Choose lightweight gear that encourages play, not competition.
Franklin Sports Kids Teeball Set – Adjustable height and a soft bat make this safe for beginners and easy to set up in any backyard.
Razor A Kick Scooter – A durable, foldable scooter that fits ages 5–10, perfect for sidewalks or driveways.
Pro Tip: For kids who are new to sports, let them “choose the game.” Giving them ownership over what to play helps build confidence and keeps them coming back for more.
For Older Kids (ages 11–17)
Teens and preteens are more motivated by challenge and self-expression. Go for quality gear that supports skill-building or friendly competition.
Wilson Junior Tennis Racket – Lightweight aluminum design with a comfortable grip that encourages real technique without wrist strain.
Spalding NBA Street Basketball – Durable outdoor ball with great bounce for driveways or parks.
Pro Tip: Keep challenges fun and friendly—think “first to 10” or “best of three.” It’s less about who wins and more about staying active, laughing together, and building memories that last longer than any scoreboard.
Capture Your Life Story: Today’s Daily Prompt
This daily section is brought to you by MemoirGhostwriting.com, experts in capturing life stories for posterity. The team offers ethical wills/legacy letters to guided interviews to full-length memoirs. Call 1-888-MEMGHOST for more information.
What’s a time when you surprised yourself?
Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts. Even a few sentences are a memory preserved for loved ones.
Tip 1: If speaking is easier than writing, use Wispr Flow.
Tip 2: Back up your writing often. The easiest way? Send yourself an email. The best way, use a backup program like Carbonite.
Tip 3: If writing your life story is tricky, MemoirGhostwriting.com can interview you to nudge the memories loose and/or help turn your memories into an edited, well-structured story for loved ones or the public. Call 1-888-MEMGHOST to speak about options.
Tip 4: Writing is just half of the challenge. Do you need to digitize photos? Contact iMemories. Do you need to repair damaged photos? Contact Memory Cherish. Do you need to solve genealogy mysteries? Contact LegacyTree. Or, MemoirGhostwriting.com can handle all of that for you.
On Tech for Seniors
Using Technology for Health Tracking
Keeping tabs on your health doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right tools, you can track your steps, blood pressure, sleep, or medications—no tech degree required.
Basic Tips for Beginners
Start simple with user-friendly tools designed for everyday life.
Medisafe sends easy medication reminders and refill alerts.
Prefer simple devices? The Lively Mobile2 is a one-button alert with optional fall detection—ideal for peace of mind.
If you’d rather write things down, a Senior Health Planner is a printable log for medications and vital signs.
Advanced Tips for Tech-Savvy Users
Want deeper insight?
Smartwatches like the Fitbit Sense 2 track heart rate, sleep, oxygen levels, and even detect irregular rhythms or falls.
Apps like MyFitnessPal can sync all your data into one easy-to-share report for your doctor or caregiver.
Those managing chronic conditions can explore connected blood-pressure cuffs or glucose monitors that send readings directly to a physician’s dashboard.
Need (1) tech troubleshooting help or (2) ongoing tech lessons via FaceTime or Zoom? Just reply to this message and say “tech help” or “tech lessons,” and we’ll connect you with someone who can assist you.
On Travel for Seniors
Cruise deal of the day: 3 Nights Southern Europe Cruise - departing January 23, from $185
Unmissable American gem: Carmel-by-the-Sea, California is a storybook coastal village where seniors can stroll flower-lined streets, explore art galleries and ocean-view cafés, and unwind along one of the most beautiful beaches in the country.
Go internationally: Botswana Adventure - 10 days, from $4,922
Useful travel tool: Backpack provides annual travel insurance that covers unlimited trips, including trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and baggage issues, all for under $150 per year.
Need help planning a senior-friendly trip or cruise? Reply to this email with “travel help” and we’ll connect you with a travel agent who specializes in senior travel.
Style Over Sixty
Talbots – Women’s Talbots Neck Midi Dress (approx. $129.99)
Ann Taylor – Mixed Media Pleat Front Top (approx. $59.50)
Marks & Spencer – Pure Cotton Everyday Fit T-Shirt (approx. $20.99)
Unscramble
Brought to you by CogniFit, brain-training games for seniors
Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object! Be the first to reply with the correct answer, and we’ll send you a free gift in the mail.
Today’s clue: Actress whose career spanned from black-and-white TV to the 21st century.
TYBET TEWHI
Seniors Magazine LIVE: Online Talks for Seniors
We’re thinking of launching Seniors Magazine LIVE, a twice-monthly online event where experts and inspiring guests share advice, stories, and tips—from travel and wellness to purpose and creativity.
Interested in joining Seniors Magazine LIVE—our new twice-monthly video event with inspiring guests on senior travel, wellness, and purpose? Upcoming speakers include a Nobel Peace Prize winner and a Supreme Court litigator.
Want to Earn in Retirement?
Help a life story get told, earn thousands: Refer someone to MemoirGhostwriting.com and earn 12% of what they spend. Find out more here.
Discover flexible work opportunities that fit your retirement lifestyle: Explore remote and part-time jobs on FlexJobs and start earning on your schedule. Learn more here.
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Disclaimer: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, Seniors Magazine may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The content of the newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial, legal, or health advice. We may also share polling responses with advertisers to help keep this newsletter free.

