I've saved a lot too by doing most things myself. Thankfully there's YouTube if I need to see how some things are done.
Sump pump went in the basement and I did that. Replace a breaker, did that. Dryer belt, no problem.
One thing I can't do is my water system. Chlorinator, pump for that, reverse osmosis and the plumbing attached to it. Under warranty so I have to call the company that installed it. Supposedly if I call a plumber or do it myself, it'll void the warranty. So far, I've only had to have the Chlorinator pump replaced. Good company so I just call them if I need work done.

I am one of those who has no skills when it comes to this kind of stuff. Hell I bung up screws if I try using a cordless power driver on them.

But in my day I was blessed to be able to keep a lot of my electronics up and running with a steady hand, soldering iron, and requisite parts.

What I guess some would say I have been good at is befriending folks who unbidden share their talents. I hate garage sales, let along ebay, CL, etc. Instead I gift items to friends and strangers in need. I also share what I'm able to with what eroded component maintenance / repair skill sets I still have in my aging body. I have found I receive great karma in return. Never ask. They just offer. So be it minor house electrical or plumbing or general repair work, whatever, it gets done. It is a blessing as more and more these days finding a contractor / handyman to do small jobs is near impossible.

If you can't be handy ,you better be handsome

Few weeks ago, I called around to get a price on how much it would cost to get a couple of ceiling fans installed. Contacted 3 places and they were between $95-105 per hour. Said it would be about 3 hours total for the 2 fans. Ceiling is already pre-wired. I’m not paying an electrician $95-105/hour to assemble and hang a ceiling fan so I did them myself.

I’ve worked on cars for many years and have replaced:

Transmissions
Radiators
Clutches
Shocks
Sway bars

In addition to routine maintenance.

Not only have I saved myself thousands of dollars, I have saved friends thousands of dollars.

When I was at Field Artillery school in Oklahoma, there was a guy, 2LT Bumpers (you don’t forget a name like that) who had lost a few PSI in one of his tires and was talking about how he was going to Firestone to have them put air in. I asked him why he didn’t just do it himself. He said, “do you want to do it for me?” I just laughed and stopped the conversation there.

Another guy got quoted $1,200 to do front and rear brakes on his Lexus sedan and would’ve had to drive 1.5 each way to OKC. Got him done for about $300 with new rotors and ceramic pads and a synthetic oil change.

My dad was a construction worker, turned general contractor, then to building inspector, then engineer.

He has taught me more than I could ever be thankful for. I have saved us a lot by me doing Almost all the work on every project. From every outlet and switch in the house, flooring in multiple houses, bathroom cabinets, kitchen cabinets, mirrors, every light fixture in multiple houses, landscaping, exterior doors, awnings, toilets and sinks, shower doors, painting, so many things I’m forgetting.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Beancooker,

Beancooker - You have reaped the rewards of having a good teacher, but also of being a good student. My son regrets that he squandered hundreds of opportunities to learn mechanical skills by not being a good student.

Sure wish I knew how to fix stuff like this guy. I wish I had just HALF of his tools!!! Everything he does is mesmerizing...



And he's gotten soooooo much better/creative through the years. The things he restores and fixes involving his lathe and milling machines are even better!!!

Don't worry. The Govt will be along soon to decree those savings as income and levy a tax on you for your privilege.

Sometimes the misadventure seems to be its own reward. That and the rebuild kit was $80.



This is as far I dared to take my automotive skills so far...

^^ I’d need a Hilton book for that monstrosity