Are you grateful you are a handyman.....? And has is been worth the time and expense

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

That's freaking funny . The part that's the funniest is there are people in this world that try to solve problems just like this guy does.

 

[tcreeley]

I was once more handy than I am. I still do stuff- changed out the drain basket in my son's kitchen sink and the flush valve in his toilet, and put in the new sump pump. But the stamina is gone. A walk out to the woodshop and I am ready to call it quits.
I used to do everything, then go on and do some more. Then I noticed that the "more" stopped happening. Now I notice that the "more" is all that happens, and "everything" almost never gets done. Stamina - ain't there.
The upshot is that my wife is left holding the bag - doing the chores that I just used to do. Bad hips and copd.

I think the original poster was touching on something pretty fundamental- he had been doing most if not all of it for most of his life - and the FB "handy" discussion just seemed so unreal to him. - Like when people talk about landscaping their property and who they will hire to do it - I'm just grateful to run a lawnmower over the reclaimed pasture! - I see that is where he is coming from.

The notion of doing it for yourself - I like - but I probably did myself in as a result. Another 10 years would be nice of a healthy body. I used to get around installing my metal roofing when I just needed one cane - I could manage. Now lifting my foot to the next rung of a ladder is almost beyond me.
Yeah, I wonder what is it all worth. Who is to pick up the pieces when I am not there.

Am I handy - doesn't matter any more.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I was once more handy than I am. I still do stuff- changed out the drain basket in my son's kitchen sink and the flush valve in his toilet, and put in the new sump pump. But the stamina is gone. A walk out to the woodshop and I am ready to call it quits.
I used to do everything, then go on and do some more. Then I noticed that the "more" stopped happening. Now I notice that the "more" is all that happens, and "everything" almost never gets done. Stamina - ain't there.
The upshot is that my wife is left holding the bag - doing the chores that I just used to do. Bad hips and copd.

I think the original poster was touching on something pretty fundamental- he had been doing most if not all of it for most of his life - and the FB "handy" discussion just seemed so unreal to him. - Like when people talk about landscaping their property and who they will hire to do it - I'm just grateful to run a lawnmower over the reclaimed pasture! - I see that is where he is coming from.

The notion of doing it for yourself - I like - but I probably did myself in as a result. Another 10 years would be nice of a healthy body. I used to get around installing my metal roofing when I just needed one cane - I could manage. Now lifting my foot to the next rung of a ladder is almost beyond me.
Yeah, I wonder what is it all worth. Who is to pick up the pieces when I am not there.

Am I handy - doesn't matter any more.

Thanks for sharing, unfortunately this is a reality that every one of us will face.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Many I suspect are now used to several things. Some of which are

1. Throw away society. Repairs not needed, desired, or possible.
2. Lower expectations of performance from employees.
3. Follow the rules and rest is not my problem attitude. No need to be responsible.
3. Lack of accountability.

Probably more but these i see all the time and its frustrating for sure.

Reduces needs for handymen

 

[mbohuntr]

I'm in the same boat as many of you... We never had the money to "Call the guy", so we either figured it out ourselves, or went without. As I got older, the internet was a virtual gold mine of knowledge!!, I could learn virtually any skill I needed at the time.

Nowadays, the back is shot, and the aches and pains are getting worse, so I am starting to hire more stuff out. I never regretted doing stuff myself, I have a wonderful wife who has helped me since the early days.. We don't hang rock anymore, I quit trying to fix our vehicles after the engineers put the distributer against the stinkin fire wall, and I needed "Special GM tool number ***" But, no , no regrets at all!

 

[hosspuller]

I am grateful. I parlayed handy as a teenager into an engineering career. It's paid well and with careful choices allowed an early retirement on the farm. As the body ages, there is less done in a day, but the days are long and bright. The tools & equipment I purchased were a bit overkill in a suburban setting, but very useful on the farm. I would buy a tool if it allowed me to do a repair / job for about the cost of hire. The lessons & skills learned were a bonus. Yesterday, the tools & experience helped a friend in need.

I do hope when the time comes, someone will recognize the value of the tools instead of yardsale'n the lot. for :2cents: :drool:

 

[MossRoad]

...

I had to admit though, I too was pretty impressed with how quickly I fixed it, especially while under her duress.

Never, never, never give up.

Winston Churchill

 

[MossRoad]

Love Red Green show. Here he builds a backhoe for a Cadillac.
Handyman Corner "Cadillac Backhoe" - YouTube

Don't let my reality hinder your imagination.

Red Green

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

I am grateful. I parlayed handy as a teenager into an engineering career. It's paid well and with careful choices allowed an early retirement on the farm. As the body ages, there is less done in a day, but the days are long and bright. The tools & equipment I purchased were a bit overkill in a suburban setting, but very useful on the farm. I would buy a tool if it allowed me to do a repair / job for about the cost of hire. The lessons & skills learned were a bonus. Yesterday, the tools & experience helped a friend in need.

I do hope when the time comes, someone will recognize the value of the tools instead of yardsale'n the lot. for :2cents: :drool:

I'm 26 and my job title says engineer in it anyway lmao, I'm planning to retire early to, a few days before I pass away.

 

[hosspuller]

I'm 26 and my job title says engineer in it anyway lmao, I'm planning to retire early to, a few days before I pass away.

How many days in a week for retired engineers ...??
.
.
.
.
.
Seven , 6 Saturdays and one Sunday ... Enjoy your week-end.