How To...Do Something Yourself

Because you are reading this website, I assume you are trying to be frugal and careful with your money. You are probably also familiar with the old addage from the Great Depression:

Use it up,
Wear it Out,
Make it Do or
Do Without.

Fortunately we live in a time when you can figure out how to do this, and most of you probably do. However, sometimes we think if we don't have a basic skill (such as plumbing, sewing), then we need to hire someone or just replace the item. 

However, you can save a lot of money if you are willing to try to figure it out. During the Great Depression, people often traded skills with each other, or simply couldn't repair things if they didn't know how.  Lucky for us, we live in the internet age where if you don't know how to do something, there's probably a website where someone will show you how. Don't forget to try searching it on http://www.youtube.com/.  There is a video for pretty much everything you can think of.  So, if you don't know how to do something, such as sew on a button, darn a sock, make your own lip balm, change the oil in your car, start there and see if you can figure it out for yourself before you toss the item, buy a new one, or pay someone to repair it for you.

A few ideas for things you could do yourself.  I also included some other topics in a few videos down below.
Repair a toilet
Make a quilt
How to sew a cloth grocery bag
Repair a refrigerator
Repair a remote control car
How to make baby food
Insulate your home
Make a rag rug
Sewing Lessons for Beginners
Repair a washing machine
Computer repair
How to patch a hole in dress pants
How to repair a bicycle tire

How to Sew Your Own Cloth Diapers


How to Sew on a Button



How to Darn a Sock


How to Change Your Own Oil at Home


How to Repair a Leaky Faucet


Homemade Cleaner Recipes


How to Patch a Hole in Drywall


How to Fix Chainsaw and Weedeater Pullstarters


Do It Yourself Repair for Torn or Cut Leather


How to Change a Car Tire


Obviously, the list could go on and on. These are just some ideas. You are paying for internet access (most likely.) Use it. Make it work for you and save some money on something that you maybe would have paid for otherwise.  Teach yourself something new. If you come across a great how-to video or website, post the link in the comments so that everyone can benefit.  So....your challenge is to see if you can stretch your budget by learning to do something you haven't tried before. If it works for you, post a comment on what you did and how much it saved your family.

Your grandparents would be so proud. :)