Things you DIY (should/shouldn't) to save money

[cris22]

Things I do in order to save is stop buying unnecessary things that you really don't need. Like buying expensive phones, branded clothes and shoes. If I can do it without spending any money, I'll do it.

[elessar78]

Never do your own roof? Why not?

You layer two layers of felt near the eaves, then work the shingles up the side with at least 4 (six are preferred) nails per shingle. Three bundles does 10 square feet. The first run near the eaves is also doubled and overlapped.

I've done several roofs. They're some of the easiest repairs that exist. Use flashing at any "seam" and just "think like you're water" when you try to figure out where/how to put in flashing. Everything you do starts from the bottom and works its way up, because water is going to start at the top and work its way down.

It's a risk reward analysis. I'm worth way much more to my family upright and going to work than infirmed. The front part of my house is a ten foot drop at worst. Survivable. The back and sides are about a 30 foot drop (at least).

[elessar78]

We can our own spaghetti sauce. We spend a day and we got about 25 jars this year. About a $125 value to us, plus we know what goes into it. My wife also makes jam, so we save on that too (but that's more of a hobby).

[ua_guy]

Never do your own roof. It's dangerous.

I think it depends on the size and pitch. The nature of being up there for inexperienced people is dangerous, and shoddy or inexperienced work can cost a mint in downstream issues. Water damage is no joke, especially if it gets into walls or rots trusses.

My old roof was no big deal. I was up there all the time. A good pair of boots and some due caution were all I needed, rain, shine, didn't matter. Just as long as nobody went up there when it was freezing, all was good.

The new place...scary as hell. Larger and much steeper slope. There's almost zero chance of suriving a fall off some of its eaves which are 25'. I got up there to attempt to do some inspection and maintenance this summer, and threw in the towel. Even walking the ridgelines was steep. I wasn't comfortable at all. At the very least I'm going to need some instruction on ropes and safety harnesses if I attempt to do it myself. My other half is pleading that I vow to never get up there and pay someone instead.

[KTP]

I built my own RV. (not quite done yet).

[hamchan]

KTP, I am so damn jealous. I used to build RV's out of legos when I was a kid. That was all I ever made. Then I went and married a blind guy who can't drive, and I am legally able to, but not good at it. So I don't. Go figure.

[fruitbowlk]

I make my own hair products. Going to start doing body products also.

[HappySaver]

We do our own yard work and don't have a cleaning person. Though I would LOVE to have a cleaning person, and hope to budget it in at some point in my life.

Don't mind the yard work, although mulching is always an exhausting weekend. It's worth it to us because we buy our mulch from a local farm and know that it's chemical free, and we spread it on correctly and in the right amounts and proportions. Plus we can fertilize as we see fit (read: not overdosing the lawns and plants).

Oh, and we also wash our cars ourselves, but definitely not once a week! We're lucky if we do it three times a year!