You don't have to defeat any systems to have a few hobbies, the only system that needs defeating is the one in your brain.
It's very easy to do nothing, as humans we are prone to sitting around doing nothing because we feel tired, and a degree of mental fortitude or self motivation is needed to break that and say "I'm going to do something". My wife is far worse for this than I am, I often have to force/convince her to do something and when she does that she invariable enjoys it.
I don't spend that much on hobbies, relatively speaking:
Gym - 20 a month, don't go that often to be honest.
German Lessons - 500 a quarter, 5 hours a week.
Reading - I probably spend 100-150 a year on books
3D Modelling - This is free, but it does consume a lot of hours. I tend to do this in the late evening (8-11) where I would otherwise be sat watching TV or something
Cycling - I buy a new bike every 3 years or so at a cost of 1000-2000. Minimal outlay on tyres and grip tape (150 a year?) and clothing (150 a year max)
Plants - I grow tropical, subtropical and temperate Drosera (sundews). I don't/can't work out the cost of lighting as it's part of the household bills. Maybe 200 a year on plants and the odd bag of soil
Travel - When I get the chance I like to go away on train journeys. This can be expensive, so I only go 3/4 times a year. Probably about 1000-1500 a year.
I don't see holidays as a "hobby" so I am discounting that.
