hey-I-can-do-that moments
One of the things Greg likes about me (and that our wallets love about me) is that, while I have fairly expensive taste, I’m not willing to spend top dollar on something I think I can do myself.
Typically, I’ll find something I absolutely love at an expensive store, and then scour the internet, craigslist, Home Depot, and craft stores for ways to buy or re-create it on a less expensive scale. ( I think I get this from my mother, whose favorite place to shop is Tuesday Morning. She loves to pick up really lovely things and then ask me to guess how much she paid for it.)
When I find something for a great price or realize I can make it at home for very little money, I call it a “hey-I-can-do-that” moment.
Recently, I saw a “distressed” dresser at a fancy schmancy furniture store on sale for $1750. I loved the way this thing looked. It was rustic yet elegant, with cute hardware. It would be a perfect addition to my office, but there is no way in heck I am going to shell out almost two grand for something that will be holding office supplies and a laptop. Instead, I can buy some sandpaper and paint and fix the broken dresser I already have for a lot less.
Instead of money, I’m choosing to invest time and effort. Yes, I will have to delay my gratification and wait for the thing to be done, but in the end I think it is worth the wait.
Aside from saving lots of money, it can be much more satisfying to have a hand in creating the pieces in your home. I feel more connected to a room if I have put personal effort into the items decorating it, and proud when someone asks me where I bought something and I can say, “Oh, we made that.”
Do you have items in your home that you built or gave a makeover? Have a “hey-I-can-do-that” moment you’d like to share?
I would love to hear about it in the comments!
This is how I started writing. That whole “Man, that story I just read was lousy, I'm sure I could do at least as well as that and that guy got PAID” moment.
It still seems unfair to me that writing just doesn't seem like as hard work as, say, refinishing furniture. Doesn't seem to pay as much as refinishing furniture either, which I guess makes it fair. If someone came to me and promised me nearly two grand to write a story for them that would be theirs and theirs alone, I'd have to consider it….
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I have to say, privately commissioned stories might be a great idea.
I have written a few… One as a gift, one for a joke/dare/$5 bill, one as a ghostwriting project — but when I do it I cede all rights to it myself. If the recipient chooses, I even delete any copy I might have kept for my personal archives. They can make any edits they like, change the byline, publish for money, resell it on eBay…. I've even worked a bit towards learning how to hand-bind books so I can package them correctly as art pieces, but I haven't gotten a commission to try it out yet. I've been tempted to write stories into a few pages in blank books and sell them (and leave the rest of the book blank so they'll actually be _useful_)…
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oh, where to begin.A) When i was pagan and we didn't want to spend $10 on a “magical” pillar candle for each of the 4 directions…I found out how easy (and cheap- $1.15 each) it is to make candles. B)When I needed Reglaia to dance at Pow Wow, I began learning how to stitch and work with leather…now people come to me to ask me to make things for them (for sale and trade). C) When I wanted a drum, I learned how to make one (from a friend) and now I make them…now I make them for both sale and trade..some of the people who've asked me fro drums is quite amazing. D) I taught myself how to carve gourd bowls and containers (same as above). E) I am learning how to do al sorts of nifty things with bamboo (same as above). f) I learned how involved, but not really difficult it is to work out muscle tension via massage, NMT and various other forms of bodywork (which again, I charge for and barter with). F) I don't know much about vehicles and engines…but I;ve learned quite a few things that I can do for myself that I would lose my wallet if I took it to a shop. G) I am about to begin learning to flint knap, to make my own arrowheads and arrows. H) I learned how easy (but quite messy) it is to fix and refinish antique furniture (I use to do that for a living for about a year). I) I couldn't build one on my own, but I can be of assistance in helping someone build a house (well, except for stuff that triggers my fear of heights…lol).
I could go on and on about the stuff I've taught myself or sought to learn how to do that I no longer have to pay other people for (some of which I myself can charge for, or barter for…some of which I offer to teach others how to do too). Having said all that- there's also some stuff I've learned how to do that I *can* do for myself…but that I find more worth my time and money to have someone else do (like change the oil in my car).
Michael those are great examples of how it not only empowered you, but helped you create income and find something you really enjoy!
I totally agree about deciding whether or not something is worth your time and effort, or if you feel justified in investing in someone else to do it. I don't change the oil in my car, either…nor do I mess with any electrical work. Just 'cause you CAN doesn't always mean it's worth it to DIY. There are times when a professional is called for.
What about something where someone could say “I want a story about x with a character named y for a gift for someone” and you could still have your name on it?
Within all the limitations that usually cover such things, no problem. Time for research (if necessary), word count, discussions of what can and can't happen to the character (as necessary) draft review, aforementioned packaging considerations… Completely doable….
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