Comments on: The Value Of DIY Is Greater Than Just Savings

By: Tina C

Tina C — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 06:30:36 +0000

Utility Bills – This one is always the most obvious, but when you take into consideration that the average household spends over $200 a month to power their homes, that works out to roughly $2500 a year.

By: Mikaela Gonsalves

Mikaela Gonsalves — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 02:12:32 +0000

Great post. Thanks for the info

By: Interview Series: Eliminate the Muda | Sweating The Big Stuff

Interview Series: Eliminate the Muda | Sweating The Big Stuff — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:05:01 +0000

[...] I am a woodworker building furniture and turning bowls. Another post that means a lot personally is The Value of DIY is Greater Than Just Savings. This one was really enjoyable because I was able to share some amazing work by three fellow [...]

By: The LeanLifeCoach

The LeanLifeCoach — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:37:03 +0000

@Megan – More power to you! We installed a wood floor ourselves last year, that is a big job! I cannot agree more with what you shared and it just goes to prove that girls can do anything, and often better than men. (My wife doesn’t read my blog, please don’t tell her I said that!)

If you are in the D.C. area you’ve got to get out to Hayfield VA to the Dynasty Restaurant for some Crystal Chicken. I’ve literally scheduled 4 hour layovers at Dulles just to have my lunch there!

By: Megan

Megan — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:05:37 +0000

My dad was born in 1943 in WV. His grandfather was a coal miner who died in the mines, his dad was a beer truck driver who helped his mom out since his dad wasn’t around. He was the third of 6 kids. Obviously they didn’t have much…and certainly they had to “make do.” I was born when my dad was 37 in 1980. So although I’m only 29, I have been told many times over about how old fashioned I can be. My dad definitely instilled the do it yourself or do without attitude. I bought my first house near the end of 2008. With my dad (now 66) and my cousin’s (in his 40′s) help we have pulled up carpet and replaced it with hardwood flooring, remodeled the kitchen, installed light fixtures etc. I live in the metro DC area and many of my coworkers couldn’t believe that I would even do the painting myself much less help lay wood flooring (I’m a girl)…but honestly it saved me thousands upon thousands and looks just as good if not better than hiring someone to do it. Plus you appreciate it more…you know how hard you worked and definitely make sure you take care of it.

By: The LeanLifeCoach

The LeanLifeCoach — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:12:30 +0000

@FinEngr – Your right. I should have highlighted that specifically as an ROI. Unfortunately I only eluded to the sentimental value in a piece handcrafted. Paul’s bunk beds for example, you know, will give his kids hours of enjoyment not as beds but as playthings. You cannot put a price on that!

@Awareness – I am rarely satisfied with my own work. But in the few cases that I was really proud of what I accomplished, there is nothing that compares.

By: Awareness Home Funding

Awareness Home Funding — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:27:05 +0000

My favorite part of the DIY project? The pride of a job well done when finished. There is nothing like looking at the project afterward and thinking (or actually saying), Yeah, I did that!

By: FinEngr

FinEngr — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:23:33 +0000

@ FS: Ha.. Good experience. Did you aerate the ground beforehand? How often it you water afterwards. Transplanting grass is such harder than seeding grass. Better luck next time!

@ Ryan. Baller… Already have CAD plans? Have you run the BIM analysis yet?

@ LLC. I’d like to add “Meaning”. This could go under Enjoyment but from the other end of the spectrum. When you are the recepient of a quality, meaningful, DIY gift – it will be much more cherished than a normal purchased gift.
.-= FinEngr´s last blog ..Can Shrinking Yields Be a Good Sign? =-.

By: The LeanLifeCoach

The LeanLifeCoach — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:43:07 +0000

@Samurai-san – We will probably be laying new sod at our house next year. I was going to invite you to come help…maybe you can have a Hennessy and Coke and watch?

@Ryan – What wonderful practical skills you must have learned from the house building experience! My wife and I also have the dream house in mind. The big question is where? I’ve traveled to 47 states and still have not found the perfect place to retire.

When it comes to tools, name it, I’ve probably got it. However my favorite over the last 4 years has been my two lathes. Turning a bowl can be a zen like experience.

By: Ryan @ Planting Dollars

Ryan @ Planting Dollars — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:52:26 +0000

Mostly landscaping thus far, but I already have the blueprints made up in CAD for the house I plan on building myself whenever I decide to settle down. That may seem crazy, but my dad and I built a house ourselves in the past… everything besides the pouring of the basement and the major plumbing -(seems odd to think about since I haven’t been there in forever). Anyways, in the process made over $100k in equity which was borrowable to turn into further investments since it was at a low interest rate. Yet another reason I love real estate, you can literally build your way to wealth.

Other than that… the whole web development thing is kinda the focus at the moment and I saved a ton of money teaching myself a valuable skill so kinda proud of that… two years ago didn’t know anything about web design, SEO, or blogging.

I’m not too familiar with actual woodworking, what piece of equipment do you use the most?
.-= Ryan @ Planting Dollars´s last blog ..Hiking Diamond Head and Snorkeling In Waikiki =-.