Do It Yourself as as Savings Strategy

by TheFamilyCEO | More from this Blogger

26 Jun 2006 06:24 PM

One way to save significant amounts of money is to do it yourself. When you think of doing it yourself, the image of someone doing large-scale home improvements probably comes to mind. That is only one kind of do it yourselfer, however.

Our busier lives mean that we have "outsourced" more and more tasks to others. Personal chefs, personal trainers, dog walkers...all are common professions these days.

Below is a list of tasks to get you thinking about what kinds of things you might be paying others to do that you could do yourself. By choosing just a few to do yourself you could free up some room in your budget.

Clothing Care: Cleaning (laundry and dry cleaning) Ironing Mending/Alterations Making your Own Clothing

Yard Care: Mowing/Watering/Weeding Landscaping Fertilizing Pet Care: Walking Grooming Training

House Care: Cleaning Minor Repairs Major Repairs and Improvements Decorating

Self Care: Facials Manicures/Pedicures Haircuts Hair coloring Kitchen Tasks: Meal Preparation Grocery Shopping Cooking and Baking from Scratch Gardening

Financial Tasks: Basic Tax Preparation Investing Selling your Home by Owner Selling your Car by Owner

Auto Care: Washing/Detailing Oil Changes Minor Repairs Major Repairs

As you adopt this way of thinking you will probably think of more ideas that you can add. Keep in mind that you don't have do everything on the list. You'll want to consider what you have the time, interest, and ability to do yourself. Then reclaim some of these tasks as your own and watch the savings pile up!

Learn more about TheFamilyCEO

I am married and a mother of two. My interests include reading, writing, photography, and personal finance. I also love to follow politics and watch college basketball.

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