"Sure, No Problem!" (Yeah, Right.) When DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Turns into a DON'T.

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone,

DIY (do-it-yourself) is a pretty popular trend these days, especially with everyone trying to save money.

But when does it get to a point where DIY just isn't practical, or maybe even safe, for your situation? When do you find it worth the cost to pay someone else?

This topic was inspired by a video I listened to this morning about a particular investment strategy (covered calls) on the company Nvidia. The host was voicing his opinion that it's not worth it to pay a fund manager to do it for you when you can "easily do it yourself." And as he begins to explain how, he starts off by saying, "First, you'll need to buy 100 shares -- so about $13,000."

Sure, No Problem. (Yeah, Right. Just let me pull that right out my back pocket...)

I have gotten to a place in life where there are a lot of things I don't mind paying other people to do (especially when God has gifted them in areas where I have no clue (which is a lot of things!)

And I always find it fascinating how different people find very different things to be DIY projects -- or not.

I once had a mechanical issue in which a long-distance relative said, "That's easy! All you have to do is..." (24 different steps, of which I understood maybe 4 of them.) But my family member couldn't understand why I just couldn't do it myself, and why would I pay someone else to do it.

I tried to explain, "It's a lot like when you need a pair of pants hemmed. I could say, 'Why pay to have it done when all you have to do is... measure, cut... zigzag... press, fold, topstitch the seam allowance -- easy!'" But obviously, my relative had no experience or knowledge in that area. So it was ironic to me that they didn't understand that I couldn't just see what they were explaining to me as an "easy" do-it-myself fix.

How about the rest of you?

I'd like to hear about some of your best -- and worst -- do-it-yourself stories.

* What are some projects you did yourself that turned out great?

* What are some projects you attempted that turned out to be a disaster -- and maybe you had to call someone else to fix them anyway?

* And what are the projects that you wouldn't touch by yourself with a 10-foot-pole -- and had no problem paying someone else to do?

 

[Lynx]

I decided long ago that while I COULD be somewhere between okay and bad with almost everything, I would rather not spend that much time to be mediocre at everything.

If it's something easy like sewing a button back on, I can do that. Gluing the seal back on a car door just takes some gorilla glue or similar epoxy, no big whoop.

Changing the oil, that I leave to a mechanic. I know, I know... I'm not a REAL man. But I just really don't want to take the time to figure it out and jack up my car and worry about it comign down on me and getting oil all over the place and finding the filter and...

I have learned that you can ruin clothes in amazing ways with superglue. Just don't do it.

 

[NightTwister]

I still do a lot of DIY (that shelf unit in the box my wife bought is staring at me right now). I don't do as much as I used to though. Once I made enough money to be able to pay someone else I stopped doing so much. Worst story? When I was in HS I decided to replace the timing chain on my car by myself. I got everything done and it wouldn't start. I asked a neighbor for help, and the first thing he asked is "did you line up the dots on the camshaft and camshaft gears?" So no, and I got to do it all over again a second time. Best story? I installed a new electrical panel and split out some circuits in my Aunt's house in NC so she didn't have to deal with that old fuse panel or deal with 26 outlets on one circuit.

 

[Karlon]

Hey Everyone,

DIY (do-it-yourself) is a pretty popular trend these days, especially with everyone trying to save money.

But when does it get to a point where DIY just isn't practical, or maybe even safe, for your situation? When do you find it worth the cost to pay someone else?

This topic was inspired by a video I listened to this morning about a particular investment strategy (covered calls) on the company Nvidia. The host was voicing his opinion that it's not worth it to pay a fund manager to do it for you when you can "easily do it yourself." And as he begins to explain how, he starts off by saying, "First, you'll need to buy 100 shares -- so about $13,000."

Sure, No Problem. (Yeah, Right. Just let me pull that right out my back pocket...)

I have gotten to a place in life where there are a lot of things I don't mind paying other people to do (especially when God has gifted them in areas where I have no clue (which is a lot of things!)

And I always find it fascinating how different people find very different things to be DIY projects -- or not.

I once had a mechanical issue in which a long-distance relative said, "That's easy! All you have to do is..." (24 different steps, of which I understood maybe 4 of them.) But my family member couldn't understand why I just couldn't do it myself, and why would I pay someone else to do it.

I tried to explain, "It's a lot like when you need a pair of pants hemmed. I could say, 'Why pay to have it done when all you have to do is... measure, cut... zigzag... press, fold, topstitch the seam allowance -- easy!'" But obviously, my relative had no experience or knowledge in that area. So it was ironic to me that they didn't understand that I couldn't just see what they were explaining to me as an "easy" do-it-myself fix.

How about the rest of you?

I'd like to hear about some of your best -- and worst -- do-it-yourself stories.

* What are some projects you did yourself that turned out great?

* What are some projects you attempted that turned out to be a disaster -- and maybe you had to call someone else to fix them anyway?

* And what are the projects that you wouldn't touch by yourself with a 10-foot-pole -- and had no problem paying someone else to do?

when the situation concerns my landscape business, i try as much as possible to fix things myself. concerning the vehicles & home (inside & outside), we hire contractors. i don't have time to fix other items, way too busy with landscaping, coin dealing, antique dealing & band work.

 

[seoulsearch]

I still do a lot of DIY (that shelf unit in the box my wife bought is staring at me right now). I don't do as much as I used to though. Once I made enough money to be able to pay someone else I stopped doing so much. Worst story? When I was in HS I decided to replace the timing chain on my car by myself. I got everything done and it wouldn't start. I asked a neighbor for help, and the first thing he asked is "did you line up the dots on the camshaft and camshaft gears?" So no, and I got to do it all over again a second time. Best story? I installed a new electrical panel and split out some circuits in my Aunt's house in NC so she didn't have to deal with that old fuse panel or deal with 26 outlets on one circuit.

I have nothing but admiration for people who are talented DIY'ers. I sure wish that was me. I have two family members who are especially gifted in that area -- one grew up before the internet, but taught himself how to fix a variety of things to save money.

The other bought all the power saws and equipment to take on his backyard patio (which is huge)-- refinishing it with colored stone pavers, including curved steps with a decorative border -- just from watching videos on YouTube. I sent a picture of the finished project to a professional landscaping friend, and he said he couldn't have done any better himself.

Boy, do I ever feel more than a little gypped that none of that was passed on to me!! One of my favorite segments in the Bible is when God calls out 2 craftsmen in Exodus (Bezalel and Oholiab,) saying they were masters at their trades -- and God Himself had given them that knowledge.

Unfortunately, my calling runs quite a bit short of this.

Instead, my plan of attack is to always try to have an ample emergency fund.

And if I the person I find to do the work happens to be a fellow believer, all the better -- the Bible says the worker is worth his wages, and I am happy to pay for good work.

 

[NightTwister]

And if I the person I find to do the work happens to be a fellow believer, all the better

My experience hiring or engaging in business with Christians has not been very good, unfortunately.

 

[seoulsearch]

My experience hiring or engaging in business with Christians has not been very good, unfortunately.

I won't particularly go out of my way to find a Christian business -- when it comes to getting a job done, I want a professional (with licensing) in the field first, and then it might be a bonus if that person is a Christian.

I understand that most will say being a Christian is the number one thing, but too often it seems to get used as an excuse:

"Aw, as a fellow believer in Christ --" (enter endless list of excuses here)

* "You should be understanding of why I don't have all the money/any money at all yet. In fact, as a fellow believer, you shouldn't even charge me at all."

* "You should be satisfied with the work I did (even though it's a horribly shoddy job) because after all, I'm a fellow believer!"

* "Why did you go to so-and-so and not me? I'm a fellow believer -- I need the money more than they do and you should be giving me your business first!"

So... yes.

I definitely understand what you're saying. (And as you said... Unfortunately.)

 

[Karlon]

I have nothing but admiration for people who are talented DIY'ers. I sure wish that was me. I have two family members who are especially gifted in that area -- one grew up before the internet, but taught himself how to fix a variety of things to save money.

The other bought all the power saws and equipment to take on his backyard patio (which is huge)-- refinishing it with colored stone pavers, including curved steps with a decorative border -- just from watching videos on YouTube. I sent a picture of the finished project to a professional landscaping friend, and he said he couldn't have done any better himself.

Boy, do I ever feel more than a little gypped that none of that was passed on to me!! One of my favorite segments in the Bible is when God calls out 2 craftsmen in Exodus (Bezalel and Oholiab,) saying they were masters at their trades -- and God Himself had given them that knowledge.

Unfortunately, my calling runs quite a bit short of this.

Instead, my plan of attack is to always try to have an ample emergency fund.

And if I the person I find to do the work happens to be a fellow believer, all the better -- the Bible says the worker is worth his wages, and I am happy to pay for good work.

super great for your family member! that's ambition. seoulsearch, perhaps you need a delicate "push & shove" from 1 of your Christian friends. you have talents that God gave you. everyone can be ambitious if they choose so. i had no ambition when i was a kid because our parents didn't let us do anything. they were always ruling over us & beating us. here's my story: so i was about 20 when i "woke up" 1 day with ambition. a friend of mine was quite the ambitious person. he & i are the same age. i thought about him 1 day & said, "wow, look at john, he does this & that & the other". but what helped him was that his father was not around, he had a sister but he must have felt he could do what he wanted because his mom was very liberal. so he was free to do this & that. & that's what clinched it for me. from 16 to 20 years of age, i was working & playing in bands, as if that's not enough, right? since then, i still make myself very busy. actually, i'm a "busyaholic"! i hope i have encouraged you seoulsearch. blessings to you & enjoy the 4th holiday!

 

[seoulsearch]

super great for your family member! that's ambition. seoulsearch, perhaps you need a delicate "push & shove" from 1 of your Christian friends. you have talents that God gave you. everyone can be ambitious if they choose so. i had no ambition when i was a kid because our parents didn't let us do anything. they were always ruling over us & beating us. here's my story: so i was about 20 when i "woke up" 1 day with ambition. a friend of mine was quite the ambitious person. he & i are the same age. i thought about him 1 day & said, "wow, look at john, he does this & that & the other". but what helped him was that his father was not around, he had a sister but he must have felt he could do what he wanted because his mom was very liberal. so he was free to do this & that. & that's what clinched it for me. from 16 to 20 years of age, i was working & playing in bands, as if that's not enough, right? since then, i still make myself very busy. actually, i'm a "busyaholic"! i hope i have encouraged you seoulsearch. blessings to you & enjoy the 4th holiday!

Hi Karlon!

Thank you so much for your kind words.

The thing is with me, my ambitions always seem to be for things that aren't very common. I spend thousands of hours writing correspondence, which is part of what led me to writing threads on this forum. Most people will notice that many of my threads sound like a written letter to the readers.

I was writing letters long before the internet and it's something that's stayed with me my entire life. This fall, I'm meeting up with some friends from this forum and I'm very happy to be meeting another CC friend I have known for years, but am just now getting to meet in person.

Two summers ago, God woke me up one morning and told me I needed to start studying personal finance. And so, two years and thousands of videos and articles later... I am just a little bit further along on my journey of learning.

Unfortunately, none of my interests are keen to making me the life of any party or even Christian gathering! It's rare to meet other Christians in the financial space (most know about Dave Ramsey but he doesn't teach what I'm interested in.) And I can't really strike up conversations about selling covered calls or cash secured puts! In the circles I do find, they are often completely secular and/or light years ahead of me, so it's difficult for me to learn from them.

When I try more "conventional" things (like cooking,) I've found I'm just not very good at it and don't enjoy them.

My whole life, it's always been a challenge finding people I have something in common with, which is part of why I come here.

One of the ways God's always blessed me is by allowing me to find people in faraway places through writing -- and some of them even turn into real life friends I get to see in person.

Thank you again for reaching out with your thoughtful encouragement!