It would probably surprise many people who know me that I could be considered “handy”. I know you rarely see little bald men with glasses swinging a hammer, or wearing a tool belt (unless you have some sick fetish that you should keep to yourself, please). 

I DO have a construction guy who I use at my house, and I trust him completely…..of course I have used him for 20 years, he is an independent contractor, and he costs about 1/4 of anyone else I have ever seen. He has worked on my homes, my businesses, and been referred by me over and over again. Basically he is amazing. I also have a handyman, who I met in the parking lot at Home Depot, just an honest guy trying to make a living and I call him when I feel lazy.

My fence in front is old and getting rotted from the rain and termites. So yesterday I went and got new panels for it at Home Depot. I painted them with some old paint that I had kept from probably 4 years ago. Putting the two panels up this morning.

I’m not telling you this to point out how rugged I am. Anyone with 2 eyes in their head could OBVIOUSLY see that. I’m telling you because you absolutely can’t imagine how many people call someone to come to their house, apartment, single-wide trailer to do ANYTHING for them——I swear I have known people who LITERALLY cannot change a lightbulb. My god, it is such a horrible waste. I love the sense of pride and ownership too, looking at the fence that “I built” (hardly, Home Depot built it, I was just wise enough to figure out how to put it up)…..

So do it yourself. When you can, obviously…and don’t when you can’t….it’s a big savings, aand a real sense of accomplishment……

In summary….me painting the fence and anchoring it to the rest of it….probably half a day for my construction guy and his 2 helpers, total cost about $250…….me doing it when I can, over two days——FREE……….I LIVE for savings like that, and yes, i look pretty snazzy in a toolbelt (my neighbors though, are BEGGING me to wear something underneath it)……

WG