DIY – Financial Defense In Any Economy — Faith and Finances Ministry
Times are tough and our money doesn't go very far these days. A woman at church told me that she paid $105 for an oil change on an old vehicle. A colleague got a 10-minute ultrasound of his neck and had to pay $900 because he had not yet met his insurance deductible. A friend at church paid $800 for brakes and rotors on an old vehicle.
My dentist quoted me $5,000 for two root canals and crowns. My father needs a quote for a chimney cap because it is leaking. A vendor told him it would be $275 just for someone to come out and inspect it. What can we do?
DIY to the Rescue
I’ve always been a curious person who likes to learn and work with my hands. This has cost me in some ways as the amount of tools and equipment I need for my various hobbies often can add up. On the other hand, I have saved thousands and thousands of dollars by learning to fix things on my own. I can’t give myself a root canal, but there are many things I can do.
Out of necessity, I’ve used YouTube to DIY my way to low-cost repairs. I am 29 now. This all started 9 years ago when my son had just been born. The A/C in our 2003 Toyota Sienna minivan had just went out in the middle of July. My wife and newborn were having a hard time driving around in the heat. I took the van in for a quote on a new AC compressor and was told it would be $1200 (which at the time was a lot of money).
We were a single income family and I was only making $15/hr., so I found a YouTube video for a DIY repair. I bought a ratchet set, borrowed a suction pump from my minister, and ordered a new AC compressor for $220. Sure, I spent 8 hours performing a 2-hour job but the value was in the journey. Fast forward to now and I have helped fix over 15 car AC systems for myself, my family, and my friends. I’m using the same ratchet set I bought 9 years ago.
I didn’t go to a university, but I have invested in myself with both time and money. The knowledge is out there. If you have never watched a solid hour-long YouTube video on how to perform a repair or how to build something, you are missing out! People who post are truly amazing and you can teach yourself how to do almost anything. People put their hearts and souls in to some of these videos, because they believe they are truly adding value to others lives.
I have repaired/replaced everything you could think of on a range of vehicles from engines to exhaust systems. I’ve learned electronics 101 and have helped myself and many friends with their HVAC systems at home. I’ve replaced toilets, tiled floors, painted, built sheds, repaired appliances, and more.
Until my time became worth more, all I had was time. I was willing to put in the time to learn how to do something because I didn’t have the money to pay someone else. This of course is harder to do when you are dealing with an emergency that needs to be fixed immediately. I’d encourage everyone, but especially young men, to take the time and invest in yourself when an opportunity arises.
Learn to do an oil change. Learn to change a tire. Help your friend or loved one install a new toilet. Change the heating element out in your dryer when needed. Make the investment and buy the tools you need. They can often be cheap. Check online for good prices. Often, our fixes are just a few nuts and bolts away, but many of us pay others an abundant sum simply because we don’t have the knowledge. If everyone gives up on learning on how to DIY, then handymen will become the new millionaires.
My generation and the generations after me spend hours scrolling and watching screens. If you have something that needs to be done, a honey-do list, or an emergency that needs to be handled, check in to it yourself before paying someone else to do it. It’s not everyone’s forte but many more of you have the capacity for these things that you’d think. Spend the evening learning how to save yourself money, especially if you don't have money to spend.
Give Back and Create Community
If you are an individual who has some of these skills, I’d encourage you to take the time to spread your knowledge. I’ve worked with a few young men on how to repair their problems so that they know what they need for next time. We can love our brothers and sisters by not only offering our skills but by teaching them. Teach a man to fish… – you know the saying.
Some of us are blessed to have the finances to pay for almost anything that is needed. If you are paying someone to do work for you, then consider hiring a fellow Christian in your church who offers that service. You can build up your community and disciples in your sphere by offering them your business. If more disciples turned inward with their dollar rather than outward, I believe it would greatly benefit the body of believers.
