Chess? No stress? You must play a different kind of chess than I do.
I also play darts, pool... kinda like games I can play with a drink in one hand. Those are games, I wouldn't consider them hobbies. I'm a reader, I read just about anything... but it's a pastime, unless it's research.
There are cheap hobbies. Runners might spend a hundred bucks on shoes, and call it good. Knitting... fifty bucks could probably get you a good start. Painting, wood carving, and many more. Still, if you want to take it to extreme... Knitting might as well be weaving. What's a 6' loom cost? Wood carving? What if you were to move to marble for your statuary... or bronze.
I've got a friend, owns his own home, drives a corvette, and has 4 marine aquariums, ranging from 180 to 30 gallons, two of them very nice looking reefs. Makes what I would consider a fairly average, or even below average income. How does he do it? Lives cheap, pays attention to what he's spending money on, seeks out bargains, doesn't mind work... no automation. In short, he's intelligent about it. He's certainly not made of money, and very much enjoys this hobby.
I stand by my sentiment. You can invest as much as you want in any hobby. This one might have higher entry costs than some, but lower than others.
;Facepalm
