One of the biggest ways to save money around the house is by learning to do things for yourself. Hiring a professional is expensive, and often surprisingly unnecessary. There are a variety of small problems that can be fixed or prevented for little to no money, if you know what to do.
Nothing strikes a dagger through a frugal heart quite like a $50 service call to find out the contractor could fix it in 15 minutes with a $2 part. If only you someone had told you how. Each Friday, we’re going to do just that!
We’ll share our own DIY stories & find experts to share tips on everything from repairing your car to keeping your computer running longer. We have installed our own flooring, repaired drywall and replaced parts in major appliances.
Earlier this year, we hired a plumber to repair our water heater. He told us he could fix it for $300 but it would break again every year or so. He offered to replace it for $1200. We knew from previous DIY projects that we could install our own for under $800, so we declined.
A quick call to the hubby’s handy dad to ask what brand we should buy saved us $750!
He told us over the phone how easy it was to make the needed repair—for less than $50 total. If that has to be done every year? It will still take a very, very long time to justify the $1200 we would have been charged.
We’re kicking off Fix-It Fridays with a guest author series—a mechanic will teach you a few basic skills for maintaining & repairing your vehicle. Be sure to check back next week to learn just how easy it is to skip the tow truck! And, if you have a DIY story to share or a wisdom to impart on our readers, please contact us for details on guest posting.
Organize Your Family
Leave a Reply