Everyone needs a hobby, right? Something to occupy their free time. I mean, life can’t all be about work and relationships. Personally, I see them as something that you turn to, to get your mind off those things. For a while, I got really into stamp collecting. It’s not expensive either. Back when I started, the money I had for it was limited. But I was able to just jumped right in anyway. Here are some ideas for you if you want to get started in stamp collecting and need to keep costs down.

Who doesn’t love commemorative stamps? They’re produced in honor of movie stars, singers, presidents, and other famous people. Even Mickey Mouse! They’re also made for important places or special events. Many times they’re bigger than your normal stamp too. And their quantities are somewhat limited. All this makes them great for collectors!

So, I started my own collection with these. It wasn’t too much for me to buy a sheet of them at the post office every now and then, at the time. This is a great, fast way to begin. When I first thought about stamp collecting, I just assumed that you had to go to a hobby store, know what you were looking at, and start with the expensive stuff in order to have a good collection. But that’s just not true. After all, a good collection is simply one that you enjoy having and that takes you away from the stress of everyday life.

If you like the idea of commemorative stamps, and want an even less expensive way to get started in them, I have an idea for that too. It’s so inexpensive that it’s free, in fact. Just ask any of your friends or relatives who send you mail every now and then, to use them. I know that in this technological age, sending things through the mail has become a lost art. But most of us, at least, receive cards or letters during the holidays. So just make it known to everyone who normally sends you a Christmas or birthday card that you are now a stamp collector.

Another benefit of telling everybody that you are embarking on a new hobby is that you’ll find many of them will be happy to not only use commemorative stamps when writing to you, but they will have no problem with sending you any collectible stamps that they receive attached to their own mail. You can even take this a step further in having neighbors that you are friendly with do it too. They may pop in and wish you a Merry Christmas instead of sending a card, but they still receive mail and cards of their own. Which are probably just getting thrown out anyway, stamps and all. So it would really be no big deal for them to just give them to you instead.

This technique works especially well if you know people who get mail from other countries. Stamps from other countries are great too, if you can get them. I always felt like looking at a stamp from another country was like going there in a small way. So, be sure to ask them to save these for you especially. And if you don’t know your neighbors very well, then make it a point to get to know them. An integral part of starting anything new is just building contacts, as well as a network of like-minded individuals. This really makes everything a lot easier.

Now, as long as you’re already asking people for stamps, especially be sure to hit up your parents and grandparents. Many people save their old letters, at least a few of them. This would be a great way to get your hands on some old stamps. If stamps from a foreign country are the next best thing traveling there, then old stamps are the next best thing to traveling back in time.

Far be it for me to send you off half cocked, and peeling off stamps left and right. So, I would like to end this by making sure you’re doing the right thing and not damaging the precious goods. Do not just try to peel a stamp off of the envelope. If you do this, you will notice that it spots as well as develops some tears. Either of these will ruin the stamp and decrease its value to collectors, which you are now one of. It’s good practice to, instead, rip off the entire envelope corner. Be careful not to damage the perforations either. There should be paper surrounding the stamp.

And there you have it. A way to visit foreign lands, and get yourself a time machine, all for little to no cost. Stamp collecting is a hobby that many people have fallen in love with for just those reasons.