I’m sure all of us have tried our hand at DIY projects before, especially those who own their own house (or rental properties). While DIY projects aren’t for everyone, they can certainly be useful – and save you a lot of money. Even if you don’t consider yourself good with your hands, many projects require little or no background knowledge. So, for those of you with a frugal mindset, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and try some ideas out! Let’s dive right into the DIY guide, where I’ll break down the basics and give you some ideas to help you start out.
DIY Projects Are Useful
First off, if I haven’t convinced you yet, DIY projects are useful for every household. It doesn’t matter if you buy or rent, there is always something you can do yourself that will save a few bucks. On top of that, there is a sense of satisfaction you can get from working with your hands, especially if it’s for something that improves your life or adds some beauty to it.
The Benefits
Let’s go over the ins and outs of the benefits! You might be surprised by a few of them.
You Learn Something New
With every DIY project, you’re bound to learn something new. Some of you may appreciate it for that alone. If you think it will only be niche information, I encourage you to reconsider your stance. With time, and several DIY projects under your belt, you’ll save up a huge repertoire of information and skills. That information, and skillset, can help you with maintenance, future projects, and helping out friends or family.
It Can Help You Stay Sharp And Handy
You may not realize it, but staying active and working with your hands is a great way to stay sharp and exercise your hand-eye coordination. On top of that, with everything you’ll learn in the process, you can keep your mind active too!
It Saves Money
It doesn’t always save money, but most good DIY projects will ultimately save you a boatload. The exception to that is when you need a specialized tool for a job that costs more than hiring someone would. Even then, it’s only not worth it if you don’t intend on using that tool much or ever again. So, it pays to do some quick mental math on that one, but usually doing a project yourself will save you money.
DIY Projects Can Bring A Sense Of Satisfaction
As I said earlier, working with your hands brings a lot of people a sense of satisfaction. Beyond that, a lot of people love the feeling of being productive – which this will give you in spades. Now, it’s important to have a good amount of downtime, but if you’re idle and searching for something to do…start up some projects!
These Projects Can Help You Stay Active
Many DIY projects can help you lead a more active lifestyle. I’m not keen on saying it should replace your workout, but if your day job is somewhat sedentary then it could be a nice boost to that. Staying active also has mental benefits, as well as physical.
It Can Be A Family Endeavor
Many projects can also be done as a family, depending on the age of your children. Every benefit I’ve mentioned so far is one that you can also share with your kids! On top of that, it’s a nice bonding experience. Besides, when your children inevitably move out, you’ll want them to have the skills they need in order to be independent.
Tools
There are a lot of tools you may need for DIY projects. A standard set of tools will get you through most basic ones, but if you take on a ton of projects then it is worth investing in more – and focus on quality. It’s better to opt for quality tools that will last. Having to replace cheap ones will add up over time, so it’s better to just get the rights ones to begin with – a concept shared with the minimalist lifestyle. As long as it’s a tool you will likely reuse, then it’s probably worth it.
Project Ideas
Here are some projects ideas to get you started. Of course, if you do any of these, make sure you put safety first. It’s better to be slow and methodical. If you rush things or don’t do your research, you could hurt yourself or others. Even if you don’t, the project probably won’t end up as well as you wished.
Painting
Painting is an easy one, which most people will try at one point or another. It honestly doesn’t take much to get started, and it’s far cheaper than hiring a professional. Just pick the color you want, open up a window, and get started.
Replace Your Wallpaper
Replacing wallpaper is another easy one, but it sometimes gets overlooked. It’s honestly not that bad, and it can give you a nice change of scenery.
Landscaping And Gardening
Everyone wants a nice view as they approach their house! Starting a small garden is relatively easy and doesn’t take an exorbitant amount of time. Of course, you can go wild with it as it can be a hobby in and of itself.
If you know what you’re doing, and have the equipment for it, you can also do landscaping to clean the property up. Unfortunately, sometimes it is better to hire a professional in this case.
Remodeling
This is a bit of a big project. If it is a minor remodel, and you already have some background knowledge, have at it! Otherwise, hire a professional or get help from a friend or family member.
Roofing
Roofing is another big one, but you can do it with the right research and background knowledge. For this one, I definitely recommend knowing the ins and outs before you get started. Don’t get impatient and start this project before you’re ready.
Furniture
There are a lot of different projects you can do with furniture, which most people don’t realize. While you can make your own furniture, that’s not even what I’m referring to. Sometimes modifications to furniture you buy can save you time and money in the long run. For example, you could take a cheap cabinet, paint it, make a few adjustments, and turn it into a fancy wine cabinet that will impress your friends.
Gutters
If you have the tools, and knowledge, installing your own gutters can save you a ton of time and money as well. It’s a lot like fencing, in fact.
Flooring
Flooring is surprisingly easy as a DIY project. The only caveat is that you need to prepare properly and take measurements. Don’t get lazy with it or you’ll end up with bad flooring that slides and doesn’t fit in place properly.
Appliance Installation And Maintenance
This one is surprisingly easy. Instead of spending hundreds on a mechanic, just do a bit of research and do the installation yourself. Beyond that, a lot of issues are relatively easy to troubleshoot on your own (or with the help of google). Just bust open that manual and take a peek!
Deck Staining
This is another one that people tend to overestimate. It doesn’t take as long as you would think, and it’s certainly not the most complicated project either. Plus, it can save you a decent chunk of change.
DIY Vs Professional Work
My final caveat is simple. If the work is dangerous, requires too much upfront in terms of the price of tools, or causes you too much stress – just hire a professional. DIY projects aren’t worth turning your life into a nightmare. Do what makes sense, but don’t take on more work than you can handle. If it’s dangerous on your own, then that’s obviously something you should not do on your own!
Conclusion
If you have any tips or ideas for DIY projects, let us know in the comments. I’m eager to see what you guys have worked on previously, and how it turned out.
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