I like doing a lot of things myself. Part of the reason is I'm cheap in some ways, part of it is because either I like to learn how to do things or I simply enjoy the task and part of it is because in some situations I know I'll be happier with the results if I do it myself.

There are some jobs where none of those things apply. If it's something that requires tools I don't have and can't reasonably access or a job I don't particularly want to do or just don't think I can do better (or even as well) or save enough by doing myself, I'll pass.

One thing that constantly comes to mine as something I can't justify doing myself is changing oil in a vehicle. Maybe it's where I live, but I can get a lube, oil and filter done here for $12.95 to $15.95. When I look at paying $1.25/quart for oil and $3-4 for a filter and some sales tax on those things my "savings" are in the $4-7 range before I consider what it costs me to chase down the parts I need and what it takes to properly dispose of the waste oil and used filter, not to mention I'm not considering the chassis lubrication.

As far as the time/convenience factor goes, one service shop is across the street from a very nice local Mexican restaurant and the other is two doors from a quaint little coffee shop that serves a wonderful breakfast. With an appointment and a little planning changing the oil can become something that I can actually look forward to having done while I'm enjoying a nice meal. ;o)

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), August 12, 2001

Answers

Our Lube 'N Cruise usually gets us in and out in 15 minutes or less. Oil, Filter, check fluids, washer refil & grease $21.90.

-- Kenneth in N.C. (wizardsplace13@hotmail.com), August 13, 2001.

Yeah... but then you'd only have time and money left for McDonald's. Ewww... ;o)

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), August 19, 2001.

Or, do it yourself (well, myself) for $8.50 (4 qts of oil at 79c a quart, and a filter for under $5, plus tax), then take the remaining $7 to $14 over to the salvage grocery where I can buy fancy yuppie clearanced fettucini noodles for 99c and a jar of organic alfredo sauce for 79c, and still have enough left over to buy a bottle of wine.

And yeah, I could make the stuff myself, except its really not much fun to try to make much of anything from scratch in a 14x7 camper already stuffed full of books, clothes, and all the other detritus one adult and a teenager manage to collect around themselves ... LOL!

-- Sojourner (notime4@summer.spam), August 22, 2001.