The Campfire Trail: October 29 - DIY Homestead

October 29, 2022

Day 393 of the Adventure

Shelley Digging with the Backhoe

Yesterday I received a comment on one of our DIY Septic System Install videos from a guy asking about doing some work on his system. Aside from his specific question, it gave me another opportunity to think about the whole Do-It-Yourself mindset. I believe there are several benefits to DIY approach to life. Perhaps the biggest advantage is the problem solving skills that develop through the process. Not to mention the confidence in being willing to tackle projects you may not have previous experience with. Sure, you can save money by doing projects and jobs yourself, but the problem solving and "figuring it out" skills have always been more important to me. I often encounter folks who hesitate from tackling even simple tasks themselves because they have an "I've never done that and don't know how" kind of stance. That always gives me the "dog tilting his head" kind of reaction as if to say "What do you mean? Just figure it out!" One of my all-time favorite quotes is 'When in doubt, just figure it out". Nothing is too difficult or complicated to the person with problem solving, figure it out kind of skills. A do-it-yourself mindset with help develop those skills better than anything else I know.

The second-best reason for a do it yourself approach to life is the money savings. A good example of that was the Septic System we installed. Prior to buying our "Camp Run-Amuck" property, we did not have the equipment necessary to do that kind of work. The cost of the system installation by a septic company was estimated to be about $8,000. We calculated the material cost at about $2,500, leaving about $5,500 to be applied toward the cost of purchasing a backhoe. Obviously, $5,500 does not buy a backhoe but it was a start. The installations of the water mains, the electrical service, the roads, the foundations and all the other projects around here contributed to the purchase as well. By doing all of those things ourselves, we essentially paid for the purchase of a new tractor with a half dozen attachments from the savings of hiring it out, including a backhoe attachment.

Another benefit is with the idea of knowing how things work for those times when you decide to not do something yourself. At the very least, you know that the people you hire are doing it the right way. You have more of an assurance that people are quoting you reasonable prices, time frames and doing the work properly when you yourself also knows how to do the work yourself. Even when you choose to not do the work yourself.

Finally, in terms of basic self-sufficiency, learning how, knowing how and doing things yourself builds a self-reliance in life. Not that anyone necessarily needs to know extreme survival skills, but you never know. Certainly, it's a benefit to know how to apply basic skills to life's problems and challenges. Self-Sufficiency has applications all the way from simple skills up to extreme skills. The further up that ladder you are capable of functioning, the less you are affected by adversity when it occurs. Try some DIY approaches in areas you've never considered before. I believe you'll thank yourself over and over.....

Carry On

Adventure Quote: “I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” ― Pablo Picasso

Base Camp Coffee of the Day: Lost up the Creek (Sumatra)

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Making Wooden Buckets (Cooper Craft)

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Cornmeal Grinding

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