| It happened to me when I turned 11. That was the | | | | broken items are wasteful and annoying. So make a |
| year my father left my mother for another woman | | | | commitment to keep thing going. |
| and left us to fend for ourselves. It was my mother | | | | Put together a basic toolbox. Head to a hardware |
| and myself, alone and living in a small apartment. My | | | | store and collect a cheap kit, many of which are sold |
| mother worked nights for the post office and I had | | | | as a unit. It doesn't have to be fancy, just complete. |
| to grow up quickly. I learned to cook, clean, and | | | | Then start with easy repairs. Fix that wall light switch |
| repair things. Without much income, we couldn't | | | | by going online to the free home improvement sites. |
| afford any repair people. So, when something broke, | | | | They will walk you through the process. The same |
| I tried my best, to fix things. I would go to the | | | | goes for that running toilet or ceiling light. |
| library, get a book on electricity, plumbing, or | | | | Over the years, I've realized that almost anything |
| whatever was needed. I remember the first major | | | | made, has a diagram for repair. Often the |
| problem I faced: a broken toaster. | | | | manufacturer has a site explaining what parts are |
| I took it to a local appliance shop and they told me it | | | | needed and how they are installed. Of course, they |
| was ten dollars, just to look it over. So, not having | | | | will also sell you those parts. I've fixed copiers, faxes, |
| that kind of cash in 1959, I went to a Sears store | | | | printers, small appliances, door locks, ceiling fans, |
| and talked to the salesman. He made a few | | | | refrigerators, washing machines, and my car. If you |
| suggestions about why it wouldn't toast anymore, | | | | feel overwhelmed, ask an expert. I wouldn't tackle |
| and I returned home. I only had two screwdrivers, | | | | most audio-visual components, tv's and complicated |
| pliers, hammer, and tape. I followed the man's idea | | | | electronics. But I troubleshoot my own computers |
| and unscrewed the bottom plate. After peeking | | | | and upgrade them myself. I learned to look at the |
| inside for an hour and playing with various parts, I | | | | obvious first. |
| noticed that there was a loose wire. I retightened it | | | | Many times, replacing a simple, relatively inexpensive |
| on the screw, reassembled the toaster and plugged it | | | | part, is the answer. If you have tried everything else, |
| in. I was amazed that it now worked perfectly. | | | | and failed, it's time to call a repairman. In that event, |
| I learned some valuable lessons, which I'll share: | | | | there's no shame in admitting defeat. But I have |
| - You can learn a lot from books (or nowadays, the | | | | saved my family tens of thousands of dollars over |
| Internet). | | | | the decades and I've averted many hours of wasted |
| - The broken item might be easy to fix. | | | | productivity. I hate having a useless light or appliance |
| - If an 11 year old can fix a toaster, you can | | | | in the house. Become proactive and also do the |
| probably fix almost anything. | | | | required maintenance for the larger items, such as |
| - You only need basic tools to do most repairs. | | | | lubricating moving parts, cleaning filters, and replacing |
| - All it takes is time and patience. | | | | belts in vacuums, furnaces, refrigerators, and alike. |
| - Most salespeople are happy to share their expertise. | | | | Not only will you eventually save lots of money and |
| Besides saving money, the ability to repair something | | | | time, but you'll have the peace of mind that you are |
| is a nice talent to possess. It means that most of | | | | in control of your environment. So grab that |
| the objects in your home will work. It begins with an | | | | screwdriver and start repairing your life. Remember: |
| attitude. Don't you want everything to work when | | | | handy is dandy. |
| you need it? From appliances to toilets to cars, | | | | |