Just want to share.
Saved myself $300 (lowball estimate) last weekend!
My rear wiper in my minivan crapped out. I was panicking that I'd have to take it in - slushy snow, sand on the roads and no rear wiper don't mix. Online estimates to replace the whole motor with labor started at $300 USD (so probably like $400 minimum here in Canada).
So I googled 'failed rear wiper' for my vehicle make. Found a few 'how to fix' videos on youtube and some instructions on various automotive message boards.
I convinced my dad to help me fix it. We took the entire darn thing apart, as the 'easy' fixes didn't work. It was jammed right in the gears on the inside. We had to wire brush the crap out, use half a bottle of WD-40 to get the gears moving again but we did it! We managed to get it all back together (my dad has a history of taking things apart and forgetting how to put them back together, LOL). And IT WORKS LIKE NEW!
Happy dance! Sure it took nearly 3 hours, and we missed a clip when putting on the plastic in the rear door, but who cares! 
Moral of the story - google it. There may be a very do-able fix. I was lucky my dad has a ton of tools, I never could've done it on my own. Mind you, he couldn't have done it without me, as he very nearly didn't put it back together properly, LOL. I pointed out his error and he said, "And that's why you are here." haha.
Seriously - the internet is a huge help for us non-handy types! I can do anything if I have good instructions. 
= new reply since forum marked as read
I have nothing to lose. Actually, I have had things that I could not fix after taking them all apart, and I don't think it cost me any more than it would have without my failed efforts. And the things that I have been able to fix have saved me more money than I spent to fix those pesky failures.
I have never tried to find a way to fix things online, but I will look there first from now on. Thanks. 
That's where my dad comes in, lol. But when I was married I had to be handy because my ex refused to lift a finger to help me out with anything. So I learned pretty much all the 'guy' stuff - changing headlights and signal lights, changing wipers, taking care of the mower and mowing the lawn, fixing the dishwasher, working my FIL's old snowblower and, well, all the household stuff, like hanging the tv on the wall. Now that I'm on my own, the only thing I need help with is things that I'm not strong enough for (rare, I'm freakishly strong for a woman, and one of my teen daughters is too, and together we moved all our furniture, LOL) or things that logistically need 2 people, or if I need tools. I can make time when it comes to money, and I'm very patient, so I just require the info and tools. I rather enjoy doing it too - it's a bit meditative to take things apart and put them back together. 
You have the phone to call Dad! Nobody has everything they need for everything (that's why there are hardware stores and rental places). It's good that Daughter & Dad are there to help when needed and more importantly that you are confident enough to take on things alone. Likewise it's important for all of us to know our limitations. My recent basement remodel was more than I wanted to do alone, so I had some friends come over to help for a few days over the Summer, between the 3 of us we had the tools, knowledge and hands needed. I learned from them as well as from the YouTubes and such. We all rely upon each other's knowledge and strengths to get through everyday. 
I love it when I find a solution on the internet and can do it myself.
I guess this is where I should say thank you to everyone who has ever put up instructions for anything online THANK YOU.
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I'm a retired auto/truck mechanic - nothing I own gets thrown out unless I take it apart and attempt to fix it first.
When I bought my home recently, I searched for and downloaded manuals for the wood stove, gas heaters, water pump, propane stove etc.
When I bought my new(used) SUV - ordered 3 repair manuals for it - one for in the vehicle, one for the house and one for the shop(I have a pretty nice garage up here).
True story: - one shock on my truck was seized (on the front) and gave a rough ride - took it off at work. Next day, truck bounced weirdly so I figured it would ride better if I took off the other shock before I left work. (bad idea).
On the way home the front end almost never stopped bouncing - one tiny bump and it just would keep bouncing.
So - as soon as I got home bought the shocks, went to the service dept. (Canadian Tire) and asked how much to put on the shocks. ( remember shocks were already off - that's the hard part - and only 2 bolts per shock needed to reinstall)
Estimate was way too high(over an hour's labour) - told him I could buy the tools needed (2 wrenches) for less than half his labour charges - he responded - "yup probably can" - so I did!
Best part -
Bought the wrenches (actually 1/4 of his labour estimate) - moved my truck to a parking spot right in front of the service manager's window - set the shocks and wrenches on the hood of my truck.
He and one of his mechanics watched as I replaced the shocks in 9 minutes flat, then burned rubber outta there.
So - suggestion:
Start a small collection of basic tools - I could give you a list, but it seems as though you have a knowledgeable source right handy.
Buy a manual for your vehicle, and any other major appliance/investment.
oh - one more thing . . .
READ the manuals.
CC
You may be more knowledgeable than my dad, LOL.
I have the basics - I have a second-hand drill from my dad and a bunch of cheap bits I bought. I have a small hammer, a mini-level, a stud finder, a tape measure, many screwdrivers, a small adjustable wrench and some pliers.
On my immediate wishlist are a wrench set (LOL my adjustable wrench is so small I couldn't even adjust my daughter's bike seat, a neighbor helped me out with that), a socket set and a mallet. I'm not sure what else I need...
Good idea about the manuals...although most are online right now, which is helpful. I will confess I don't usually read the manuals until I need to, LOL. I have had recent experiences with really shitty manuals though. I mean, really, talk about a useless booklet for some things.
The best experience recently (
) was that I broke the glass plate (the part that rotates) in my brand new microwave and try as I might, I could not match the model number with any parts place online. I was like, WTF? So I called Whirlpool and told them the model and get this - the model number didn't exist. The customer service rep was totally condescending, "Can you read it to me slowly? Are you sure you read it right? Are you sure it's a B and not an 8?" I had to get rude. "I know how to read letters and numbers, thank you, would you like me to take a picture with my phone and send it to you?"
We found a similar model number....turns out they added an extra letter to the model number (the model number ON the microwave was the same as on the box AND on the manual, so it was clearly not a printing error for just the microwave). 
Their error. I managed to get the right part because we took a chance that there was an extra letter. Can you imagine how many people and repair people are going to be in for a rude awakening in a little bit when these appliances start needing repairs? Sorry for the rant...but a lot of do-it-yourself-ers are going to be in for a surprise when they cannot find the right model number. grr.
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gently tho 
Maybe if you want a list - notify me by DU mail, I might miss it if you post your request in here.
I'm also experienced with electrical, construction and plumbing - yeah, I'm a handy guy;
gotta be -
I live pretty much isolated in the bush, but live pretty comfortably - being able to build/repair/McGyver stuff when need be.
If you do such a request, include the link for this thread, or group - I will post the list (with explanations) in this thread/group so others can benefit, and they can add other items they have found handy that I never thought of.
Paying a contractor hundreds of dollars for a service call for a simple fix sorta wrecks ur day.
Ya gotta clean the house a bit, change clothes, etc, so it ain't just the money;
It's having to change your whole day
CC
Response to laundry_queen (Original post)
