Experts note that growing expenses for hobbies should be planned as responsibly as other budget items.
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Hobbies cost more than 1,000 euros
According to survey data, 25% of Lithuanian residents spend more than 2,000 euros per year on their main hobby, and another 18% spend from 1,001 to 2,000 euros. Meanwhile, 14% allocate from 601 to 1,000 euros, and about one-third of residents spend up to 600 euros per year on their hobbies.
The highest expenses are noted among residents aged 30–39 – as many as 31% of them spend more than 2,000 euros per year on hobbies.
“Hobbies and leisure become planned expenses for residents rather than accidental ones. People increasingly consciously invest in activities that help them relax, develop skills, or spend time with loved ones. However, the larger these expenses, the more important it is to anticipate them in advance and include them in the overall financial plan,” says Aušrinė Mincienė, Head of Everyday Banking at Luminor Bank.
The most funds are allocated to travel
The study shows that the most popular leisure spending category in Lithuania is travel. One-third of respondents indicated it as their main category. Among residents aged 40–49, this share is even higher – reaching 37%.
“Today, travel is more than a one-time entertainment for many. It becomes a way to break away from the daily routine, see new places, and spend quality time with family or friends. Therefore, it is natural that this category takes the largest share of the leisure budget,” says A. Mincienė.
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After travel, creative activities follow – gardening, crafts, music, or photography, which receive the most funds from 11% of respondents. Another 8% spend the most on restaurants and cooking, 7% on cultural events, concerts, and theater, and 5% on sports and active leisure.
How to allocate funds for hobbies without financial stress?
According to the expert, the most important thing is to understand that leisure expenses should not compete with the most essential financial goals – savings or financial reserves.
“One of the simplest rules is the 50/30/20 principle. About 50% of income is allocated to essential expenses, 30% to wants and leisure, and 20% to savings and investments. In this case, money allocated for hobbies becomes a planned part of the budget, not spontaneous decisions,” says the Head of Everyday Banking at Luminor Bank.
She recommends saving for larger expenses, such as travel or more expensive sports equipment, in a separate savings account. It is also worth regularly reviewing small daily expenses, which over time can add up to a significant amount.
“Often, financial balance is disturbed not by one large amount, but by many small impulsive purchases. Regularly monitoring your expenses makes it easier to understand how much our habits really cost and how much money we can allocate to what brings the greatest joy,” emphasizes A. Mincienė.
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