Hobby your way to a more valuable home, an athletic body, and thousands in savings simply by turning off the TV - and improving your home instead. After a long day behind the computer, put on some overalls and work up an invigorating, profitable sweat digging the garden, building a walk, a stone wall, a playhouse for the kids, or shoring up that floor joist. In eight months, I'm down to my lowest weight in 15 years - with no health club fees. Most recently, I've hauled free stone from a nearby building site and begun a New England stone wall. Of course adding value requires that you know what you're doing, which is why it's good to start with gardening - hard to mess up, lots of work, and even kids can help.
Knowledgeable friends are a plus, and then there's the library for help and inspiration.
Remember, it's important not to hire anybody. You'll sleep well, live longer, and your pocketbook will thank you.