As my father told me after my last home emergency, "Houses can sometimes be a money pit." Cue next home issue.
After Christmas, I decided that the wallpaper and bright green paint adorning my bathroom walls were meant to be left in 2008. It was a simple cosmetic fix. Well, it was until I got to the area around my tub and found moldy, wet drywall beneath the wallpaper. Awesome. New drywall and shower, coming up! Emergency savings, going down!
But through this tragedy I learned a valuable lesson: If you are able, do it yourself.
Yes, I still spent a pretty penny for professional drywallers and plumbers to ensure the work was done correctly (those are not DIY skills I possess). But by putting in a little sweat equity 
when it came to demolition, I saved hundreds of dollars. I can tear down a defunct shower surround and rip out moldy drywall with the best of 'em!
The DIY mentality not only applies to home repairs, it also can come in handy during your college years (pre- and post-college, too!). Ask yourself how many times you pay someone else to do something you could've done yourself. Or how often do you pay for something new when you could've repaired the old item?
Here are some examples of what I mean:
- You may not be the best cook in the world, but does that mean you should eat out all the time? A little do-it-yourself cooking could save you a bunch of money.
- What about clothing? Wouldn't it be easier to fix a ripped seam or hem in your pants rather than shelling out moolah for a new pair? Better to spend a few dollars for a needle and thread.
- Applying for financial aid? Instead of paying someone to file your FAFSA, DIY! The same goes for taxes — go online and file for free.
Does the DIY mentality work for you? Tell us what you've done yourself (or would like to do) to save money.
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