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I just started two new hobbies that sound like they (or some variation of them) could be what you're looking for: playing the harmonica and knitting.

• Harmonica is definitely hands on, and you can start off with some really simple songs that are pretty easy to play. The nice thing is, as long as you buy a diatonic harmonica, it's all in one key. That means that no matter what note you play it at least won't sound bad, even if it's the wrong note/chord. I feel like this has been motivating for me, because hitting a wrong/harsh note is really discouraging. There are a ton of instructional videos online, and /r/harmonica is a great resource. Harmonica's are pretty cheap, just $30-$40 USD for a pretty good starter. Other small musical instruments could also be good, stuff like a jaw harp. Only problem you could run into is if the practicing annoys your spouse, I know my wife prefers it if I go into another room to tool around on it.
  
  
• Knitting is surprisingly easy to learn, and it keeps your hands busy. /r/knitting has a great Wiki that takes you step by step through some beginner projects and on up into complicated ones. Getting enough yarn/the right needles for my first project (a scarf for my wife) cost only around $15-$20, and I bought more than I technically needed. Since you're being frugal, this is a hobby that also produces things, like new clothes for you and your family. $8 worth of yarn is (theoretically, at least) going to make my wife a scarf that would probably cost $20-$30 or more in a store (it's a biggish scarf). Another nice thing is that you can do it while talking to other people, watching tv, even listening to audio books.
  
  Don't know if any of that is up your alley, but I was surprised, with both of those, how easy they are to start learning. I feel like that's pretty important with a new hobby, because if they're too difficult initially it takes a ton of willpower to keep pushing yourself to actually do it. Then it's not a hobby, it's a chore.
  
  Some other fun and cheap stuff that i like to do: /r/running and /r/Fitness , /r/photography (you'd be amazed at the quality of pictures you can get out of a smartphone), learning how to code, reading (library is awesome, you can also get audio and ebooks there now), and drawing. All of these have great tutorials on youtube that can get you started. You can also really improve in most of these, some of them even to the point where it can become an income-earner.
  
  Anyway, this was way more in-depth than I set out to make it, but your situation reminded me of myself not too long ago. I've been really pleased with the results from putting my spare time into something productive and fun, rather than just wasting time with a crappy iPhone game or on Reddit.

A friend introduced me to collecting/listening to vinyl records late last year/early this year(so I'm still a newb, but please hear me out). We'd get together at his place and undergo the ritual of taking the record out of the sleeve, placing it on the turntable, powering the turntable on, running a brush over it to remove dust/prevent static(and damage from static) and finally dropping the needle before sitting back and listening to the music. When the music ends you get up, flip the record, and repeat the previous processes before putting the record back into the sleeve and either putting on another record or going on about your day.


I'm now in the process of buying/setting up my own turntable after purchasing my first vinyl records earlier this year(if you save up around $500.00 USD. there will be a lot of decent "entry level" turntable/speaker options open to you) and will soon learn all the rituals involved in taking care of a turntable, speakers, etc. Other vinyl-involved rituals involve record hunting at local music/thrift stores, finding collectibles online, and caring for your records.


Aside from the rituals involved with vinyl, I really enjoy how vinyl is tied into so many different things; especially art. A lot of people display their records in frames or shelves and make beautiful "record walls" you can change around as needed. Vinyl is also regaining popularity with people into graphic novels A.K.A. comic books) and as somebody who enjoys reading in that format I like the thought of being able to read a a graphic novel about the music industry that comes paired with a soundtrack.


The "vinyl experience" has become fun hobby to me. You'll have no shortage of rituals, audio and visual enjoyment, and excitement as you find that record to your favorite soundtrack or find a record in a store that has one of your favorite songs. It is a bit pricey to get into but I'm hoping you consider the hobby and put in some of your own research.


Hoping I've helped you, O.P.

I'm a big fan of making stuff with my hands. Keeps me busy and very gratifying. Cooking, smoking/bbq, and woodworking are my favorites.

Cooking doesn't take a ton of money to get started and is probably the most useful. I'd recommend a good set of knives and a decent set of pots and pans. Other than that, pick a cookbook and start cooking your way through it.

BBQ/smoking has become an obsession for me to the point where i made my own pit and everything. But you can get a WSM for about $400 if you like the idea of babysitting a charcoal/wood fire for many hours (preferably with your favorite beer or stogies or whatever) or if "set it and forget it" is more your speed, any of the hundreds of varieties of electric smokers out there are great. /r/smoking is a great resource for all things smoking. I started with pulled pork and ribs and have since done those dozens of times, brisket, chuck roast, jerky (so much jerky), sausage, snack sticks, turkey, chicken, etc.

Woodworking is probably the most cost intensive as far as overhead but the possibilities are endless. /r/woodworking is a cool place from what i've seen but I've spent a majority of my time obsessing over Matthias Wandels website and youtube channel. He's a magician with woodworking.

If none of that tickles your fancy, I'll drop the typical plug for reading. The thing with reading is that it's kind of a secondary hobby for me. I have to really love whatever it is I'm reading about. So it takes me a long time to find fiction I like and then i burn through it pretty quick. But I read a lot about my other hobbies in the non fiction category.

Podcasts are a great way to multi-task but, like reading, it helps to listen to stuff you're already interested in. I get book recommendations from some of the podcasts i listen to.

My last one would be working out. Find some sort of fitness you really like and just dive in. Running, biking, crossfit, olympic lifting, mud runs, body building or just plain picking up heavy shit and putting it down.

That's my list and pretty much how I spend my life outside of work, family and sports fandom. Feel free to PM me if you have questions or whatever.

And for whatever it's worth, i'm in a midwest town of about 75,000 as well.

Estes Tandem-X Flying Model Rocket Launch Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VLP67S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4Sl8Cb8Y0K0TX

That’s what I have found

Estes is a pretty good company for model rockets but don’t count on me do some more research but this is a basic set ( I think)

Yeah like I said don’t count on me you need engines which are like five bucks for three and a parachute which usually comes and a piece of paper which is used to block the flame from burning up the fairing with the parachute inside

Just do your research it’s a really easy hobby and fun if you attach an altimeter and speedometer with a camera its pretty cool to rewatch your videos and see what you could’ve have done better.

Have fun and great job on quitting weed

Needle felting is pretty fun, it’s a good lap project. You can make little animals and plants or appliqué onto any number of things. The price of admission is relatively low if you start with a kit. Also, there’s a lot of stabbing involved, which feels really satisfying.

Has cross stitch burned you out in the needle and thread department? I don’t care for it myself but I really enjoy embroidery. The books age well and are easy to follow. You can continuously add new stitches to your repertoire with practice.

Last one: crochet. The Happy Hooker is a great book for beginners.

May your treatment be uneventful and your recovery swift.

If I were you I'd look at picking up a decent book on Linear Algebra (not necessarily a textbook) and trying to learn from that. From there as long as you do your best to understand the material and do the exercises unassisted you should learn. Linear Algebra is a good starting point since for the most part you'll just rely on what you learned in high school to get started. Here's a link to a really good book if you're interested. Also, don't worry about how "good" you are at math or how long it takes you to learn new concepts. Everyone learns at a different rate and as long as you put the time and effort into studying you will progress.

Honestly, I would start with some kits until you find what you like. A lot of hobbies regarding making stuff require tools (which can be expensive) and space. Easier to start with some kits until you find something that like, they usually come with everything you need and you can do it at the dining room table.

This kit got me curious about clockmaking. I bought it and am now saving up money for actual classes and tools: https://smile.amazon.com/ROKR-Self-Assembly-Model-Wooden-Educational-Engineering/dp/B079KVT51L/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=clock+making+kit&qid=1565247325&s=gateway&sr=8-2

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Also, here's a ship in a bottle kit. Since you named that specifically, I'm assuming it has some passing interest to you.: https://smile.amazon.com/Hampton-Nautical-Blackbeards-Revenge-Bottle/dp/B07JPKYY4R/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=make+a+ship+in+a+bottle&qid=1565247582&s=gateway&sr=8-9

Keep one thing in mind, talent is something you work on. Those people that play guitar had bleeding finger tips for a while before they could finally play Wonderwall around the bonfire.

I suggest drawing. If you like animals, that book is pretty good.

And maybe check with your doc if you can't concentrate or if you feel down.

I second the ukulele option! You can get a decent uke for under $100. I got this Cordoba one when I started. Also can't go wrong with the beginner Kala brand ones either.

Another creative option is something called "Diamond Dotz." My mom used to like adult coloring books but this is next level! It's actually pretty calming.

I've seen kits sold on amazon like -

https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Calligraphy-Starter-Beginners-Instruction/dp/B00A9I0AHG

That provide really cheap practice pens/inks along with really well written guides and practices. I used to do them, but never put in enough time to learn. It's an awesome hobby.

I bought a pocket quadcopter. This thing is amazing, it's fun, you can take it just about anywhere, it stores in the controller, it can be charged off the controller, you can fly it indoors or out. I've been having a blast with it.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D9GA77W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For a kit with pots and fermentor, or just the ingredient kid for a 1gallon batch like this, Brooklyn Brew Shop Afternoon Wheat Beer Making Kit: All-Grain Starter Set With Reusable Glass Fermenter, Brew Equipment, Ingredients (Malted Barley, Hops, Yeast) Perfect For Brewing Craft Beer At Home https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RR9SOGY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_F-wuDbGBRDJ4Q

I think this is actually the one I used in college lol was helpful to get me started in cooking.


The Four Ingredient Cookbooks-Three Cookbooks in One! https://www.amazon.com/dp/0962855030/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YV9FDbK030CG2

If you like nature, you could get a book for less than $10 and learn to identify wild edible plants.

“Murder mystery” kits sold on Amazon. You’ll have to google around for them but they are basically interactive puzzles with clues and you try to solve the case by examining fake evidence. You can do it alone or with a friend.


Here’s an example detective mystery kit

Lincoln logs