Why I Became a DIY MOM

I have several reasons why I am a "DIY" mom.  Probably my biggest motivator was financial.  Most people I know have a simple solution for things that need repair.  They hire a repairman.  If you're like me, your paycheck-to-paycheck budget does not allow for hiring anyone to do anything, and your savings are non-existent.  Pretty much the only resource I have to draw on is to borrow from my 401k, which must of course be paid back in weekly installments directly from my check.

I am also anti-social.  I probably suffer from a host of disorders or something of the like although I have never been officially diagnosed with anything other than depression.  I have fear of strange places and people.  I don't like to leave my house.  Having to go places that I'm unfamiliar with and talk to people I don't know creates anxiety.  In the past, it was severe.  Now I can mange much better, and have become expert enough at hiding it that I don't think most realize I have a problem at all, and I no longer get panic attacks.  Still, calling for repairs or having strangers in my home is almost impossible for me.  I can, however, go to Lowe's and buy items without any problem.  If I have to ask a store employee for help, it's difficult, but I can do it now.

Last, but not least, I am proud of my work.  I do like to be able to say that I did all the landscaping myself, fixed my own mower, painted the walls, put on my own roof, and much more.  This doesn't mean that I never had help.  The roof was too much to do alone, my step-dad helped as much as he could--he lived out of state then but he came down for a few weekends.  I included a pic so you can see what a DIY mom roof looks like!  :-)  The inspector said we did a pretty good job!

So, what can YOU do yourself?  Well, I like to say that there isn't anything that I CAN'T do, however let's be realistic.  Anything that requires someone to be licensed and certified is the type of thing you may not be able to do, for example a repair of your home AC.  Even though the system is basic with a compressor, condenser, etc. it's also pressurized and should never be "tinkered with" by a person without proper knowledge and training.  Of course, you can keep your drain hose and coils clean and do those routine maintenance tasks yourself, but you would never want to open parts of it or unhook lines going to do it.  Also, consider money, if you could pay $25 to have a task done for you but it takes you 2 weeks, that DIY might not be worth it.  But on the other hand, I won't pay $50 a month to have someone mow my lawn, I can do it myself.  Actually, I don't even know the going rate, just guessing.

I don't believe there is any difference between what men and woman can do, but there are those who disagree or belittle any who want to deviate from the traditional norms.  But women do work on cars and men clean houses.  I have never had any trouble getting help from the store employees (mostly all men) and they have never treated me like I was just a dumb woman.  At the car parts store, they treat me respectfully but seem sometimes surprised, a lot of females still couldn't tell you if they had a 3.8, 4.1, or 729.58974 under the hood--they just don't have any concept of it.  The good news here is you CAN educate yourself.  Especially now, the amount of information available on the internet is phenomenal!  There are tutorials, step-by-step instructions, photos, and even videos.  Use them.  I also use the forums to ask for help when I'm unsure or just plain stumped.  Look for specific types of forums, for example I used one just for GM vehicles when repairing my SUV.  If you just ask on a very general forum you may get good advice or simply people who are idiots, it's hit or miss.

Please don't think I'm being prejudiced--there are also men who don't know how to do a damn thing.  Yes, I am old-fashioned about that.  I think a man should be able to use power tools and tune-up his own vehicle.  I can.  There are also both sexes who never do DIY because they always pay someone else to do it.  If you are one of those, fine, but these articles aren't for you anyway.

DISCLAIMER!   Remember a few basics...don't do anything that you are unsure of--you could get hurt.  Power tools aren't toys, and touching a live wire could kill you.  If you are trying to fix your car and you break it, you may have to take it to a shop AND pay to have it towed there.  Practice--if you've never stripped an electrical wire, do a few test pieces before you have to do the real thing.  Be realistic about what you can do, especially if you are a beginner, look for things labeled "beginner" or "easy". 

Well, what are you waiting for?  Go out there and get started!  I'll post more on my individual projects too!