Your time is not free

[blueriver]

This is starting to go to a very strange place

What did you expect ... Mace joined in!!

 

[wldrbob]

i wonder if o to beatsea was ever a cabin boy?

 

[The Haymaker]

My time is valuable. Obviously some here have far more cash than I do. I don't build my own house, along with taking time away from my family or hobbies, as "a labor of love". It is done because we would not have what we have if I paid someone to do everything that I didn't want, or at the time didn't know how, to do. Furthermore, If I was paying myself for "my valuable time", this home would be 4x the amount needed to get the same thing through contractors based solely on my inefficiencies.

I am still trying to decide if wood is truly cheaper than oil based solely on the time invested in enough heat to get us through the winter. Only reason I still do it is because of the comfort in knowing I can use all the money not spent on free wood or 3 dollar a gallon oil can be used to feed or cloth my family.

 

[Mace Canute]

This is starting to go to a very strange place

What did you expect ... Mace joined in!!

If by chance o2batsea and I happened to be walking down a street together, people would look upon us and say... "There goes a strange and wondrous duo."




He's strange.......


I'm wondrous!

 

[MikeD74T]

I will respond because I am an (agricultural) economist and I know a little about carpentry. (My dad was a carpenter/farmer and I helped him as I was growing up. I only wish I had paid more attention to the things he was trying to teach me.)

You answered your own question when you mentioned productivity. They are substituting (improved) capital for labor in production -- circular saws rather than hand saws, compound miter saws rather than miter boxes, drywall screw guns rather than hammer and nails, etc. It's the same reason that farmers use tractors rather than draft animals, combines rather than reapers and threshers, etc. Of course, that (improved) capital has a cost, but that cost is at least offset by the value of the increased production for a given amount of labor input.

Also, some of this capital allows less-skilled (and less expensive) labor to be substituted for more skilled labor.

Steve

That explains why the farm next to me that used to milk 65 cows & support 2 families now uses machinery worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to (feed & otherwise support &) milk 1300 head to support 30 families with the same standard of living as 40 years ago!!!!! It's all about productivity, but they still work 6-1/2 days a week. MikeD74T

 

[doall]

boys, if you are doing your own work; slow down, you'll make more money.
Why finish in 4 hours and only make $360 when you could drink a few more beers and go 8 hours and make $720 and have more beer money.

 

[nuffer460]

Well, I think I see the point that my time isn't free. So if my Auto dealer can charge me $90.00 labor for a belt replacement that I did for $17.50 belt and 10 minutes labor. I'm worth $90.00 hr. So I figure that I am still saving $310.00 an hour by working on things myself. Case in point. I have been married for 27 years. I would like to be married for another 27 years. (to the same wife) My wife and I have very different likes. We also care for her mother (stroke). This brings in the sister-in-law. So any tasks that my tools and equipement save me. Easily go to the black colum. As, I pay for most materials for projects, repairs, and general maintenance. That's definet red colum. If I repair my sister-in-laws driveway. I feel that I have been paid back, by not having to replace her auto suspension,exhaust, etc. Mowing the 6 acre lawn for mother-in-law. Gets me out of the house. All of these things keep my wife happy. If the wife is happy, I don't need to pay two divorce lawers at $200.00 an hour. So, by working for myself, I get out of the house, keep the wife,mother-in-law, and sister-in-law happy. No need for divorce lawyers savings are $310.00 an hour. So even if I pay myself $90.00 an hour, I'm saving money. Besides the choclate chip cookies from sister-in-law are a bonus!! It's all good.:thumbsup:

 

[Renze]

Reading through this thread has cost me about two hours, but it was worth a grand of fun !!

...So reading all this funny sh*t made me a $815 profit (that includes computer depreciation, electricity consumption and a beer)

 

[greasemonkeyok]

This thread reminds me of the time I decided $150 was too much to pay the dealer to replace a $12 pinion seal.

 

[harpoonalt]

I sat down an came up with a list of things i can't afford anymore.

8 hours sleep - $720
watching a football game - $360
Going to a movie- $180 plus popcorn ......Yikes!

Sorry little Jimmy, but watching your ball game costs me $270.......I'll have to pass.

Wait....what the heck am I doing....Who's stupid idea was this anyway?

Anyone mind if I just go back to having fun?