Millennial dads have pathetic DIY skills compared to baby boomers

[specsaregood]

Is the question whether you *should* be able to do all these DIY things? Or whether you do?
There are a lot of DIY things that I know how to do, have done and could do if I needed to, that I now outsource because I'd rather have it done quickly and right by a professional. I don't change my own oil any longer, I did for years, now its not worth the hassle; but if I was short on money I would do it again.

I argue that you should be able to do many of the things talked about in this thread; but that doesn't mean you have to just because you can.

 

[phill4paul]

Is the question whether you *should* be able to do all these DIY things? Or whether you do?
There are a lot of DIY things that I know how to do, have done and could do if I needed to, that I now outsource because I'd rather have it done quickly and right by a professional. I don't change my own oil any longer, I did for years, now its not worth the hassle; but if I was short on money I would do it again.

I argue that you should be able to do many of the things talked about in this thread; but that doesn't mean you have to just because you can.

I don't think it is like that at all. I used to change my own oil, but my neighbors tire store will do it for me for $15 if I supply the oil and filter. Considering the time, mess and subsequent trip out for oil disposal it simply makes sense.
But, I recently needed to replace 30 ft. of privacy fencing. I could have paid someone to do it. But it was much more enjoyable having two friends over for frosty adult beverages and a BBQ and doing it myself.

 

[Krugminator2]

Every time you defer a critical task to somebody else, without even trying to learn about or do it yourself, you put yourself at the mercy of someone else.

You are no longer free and independent, but dependent on somebody else.

That's one way to look. The other way to look at it is everyone is dependent. Nobody on the planet could reproduce a pencil on their own. I, Pencil answers that argument perfectly.



Secondly, what you consider a critical task may differ from what I consider a critical task. To me an oil change is very unimportant. The cost savings in peanuts and probably is a net cost to DIYers. If someone has an interest in it. Cool. But for the average person it will add zero benefit to their life. In contrast, learning the basics of personal finance, I would consider a critical task. That is something where most people make needless errors on basic stuff where they don't need to pay someone that ends up costing them hugely over the course of a lifetime.

 

[phill4paul]

That's one way to look. The other way to look at it is everyone is dependent. Nobody on the planet could reproduce a pencil on their own. I, Pencil answers that argument perfectly.



Secondly, what you consider a critical task may differ from what I consider a critical task. To me an oil change is very unimportant. The cost savings in peanuts and probably is a net cost to DIYers. If someone has an interest in it. Cool. But for the average person it will add zero benefit to their life. In contrast, learning the basics of personal finance, I would consider a critical task. That is something where most people make needless errors on basic stuff where they don't need to pay someone that ends up costing them hugely over the course of a lifetime.

Humans are capable of multi-tasking. Just because I DIY doesn't mean I don't do personal finance. It's good to be debt free. But, it didn't require me that I had to hire a personal financial specialist to accomplish this task.

 

[heavenlyboy34]

That's one way to look. The other way to look at it is everyone is dependent. Nobody on the planet could reproduce a pencil on their own. I, Pencil answers that argument perfectly.



Secondly, what you consider a critical task may differ from what I consider a critical task. To me an oil change is very unimportant. The cost savings in peanuts and probably is a net cost to DIYers. If someone has an interest in it. Cool. But for the average person it will add zero benefit to their life. In contrast, learning the basics of personal finance, I would consider a critical task. That is something where most people make needless errors on basic stuff where they don't need to pay someone that ends up costing them hugely over the course of a lifetime.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Krugminator2 again

Sorry, comrade.

 

[Krugminator2]

Humans are capable of multi-tasking. Just because I DIY doesn't mean I don't do personal finance. It's good to be debt free. But, it didn't require me that I had to hire a personal financial specialist to accomplish this task.

Instead of using you as an example, do I think Ron Paul understands the basics of personal finance? No. His personal finances were public and they were a mess and have cost him millions of dollars. He had 100% of net worth in precious and miners, both of which have underperformed a broad basket of equities since the beginning of time.

Super basic stuff like not buying actively managed mutual funds, investing in equities and sticking with them through good and bad times, maximizing employer matches, having an HSA and high deductible plan in the individual health market, having auto insurance with high deductibles etc are all things people do not do. They would be better served spending a couple of hours a week on that stuff than getting on a ladder cleaning leaves out of their gutter. But that is my personal preference. Other people might think DIY ripping apart their shower is a more important life skill.

 

[Anti Federalist]

That's one way to look. The other way to look at it is everyone is dependent. Nobody on the planet could reproduce a pencil on their own. I, Pencil answers that argument perfectly.

I don't need a perfectly formed, mass produced, factory quality pencil to write with.

A feather quill or a sharp stick, charred in the fire, will do the job just as well.

 

[nikcers]

I don't need a perfectly formed, mass produced, factory quality pencil to write with.

A feather quill or a sharp stick, charred in the fire, will do the job just as well.

I don't think you are arguing against the division of labor and how it creates technologies that enhance peoples lives, just that people become dumber when they only do what they specialize in right? I think learning and doing a multitude of activites enhances pathways in your brain.

 

[Origanalist]

I don't think you are arguing against the division of labor and how it creates technologies that enhance peoples lives, just that people become dumber when they only do what they specialize in right? I think learning and doing a multitude of activites enhances pathways in your brain.

I think that logic is pretty bullet proof.

 

[heavenlyboy34]

I don't need a perfectly formed, mass produced, factory quality pencil to write with.

A feather quill or a sharp stick, charred in the fire, will do the job just as well.

The point of "I, Pencil" applies to any (seemingly) simple manufactured durable good you have and rely on daily. It could be a pocket knife, a screwdriver, whatever.

 

[Anti Federalist]

I don't think you are arguing against the division of labor and how it creates technologies that enhance peoples lives, just that people become dumber when they only do what they specialize in right? I think learning and doing a multitude of activites enhances pathways in your brain.

Yes, that is correct.

 

[Danke]

[video=youtube;DlTGRlF_zSI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=76&v=DlTGRlF_zSI[/video]

 

[Danke]

 

[Anti Federalist]

The point of "I, Pencil" applies to any (seemingly) simple manufactured durable good you have and rely on daily. It could be a pocket knife, a screwdriver, whatever.

Sure.

But any of those simple objects or tools could be made on your own, or a substitute fashioned.

 

[Swordsmyth]

Sure.

But any of those simple objects or tools could be made on your own, or a substitute fashioned.

Even the pocket knife:

 

[Danke]

Even the pocket knife:

Those are good when fighting savage Injuns.

 

[Swordsmyth]

Those are good when fighting savage Injuns.

The Skrælings never had anything like it.

 

[Danke]

The Skrælings never had anything like it.

 

[Swordsmyth]

 

[VIDEODROME]

Hasn't there also been complaints about younger people not settling down or putting it off? Does that mean more of them are Renters and if so, there would be much less expectation of doing repairs instead of calling the building maintenance guy.

I rented a nice historical apartment last year. I would plunge the toilet myself or change a bulb, but I called the building repairman when plumbing issues with my kitchen came up.

Now I'm a GenXer working as a truck driver, so I really don't have a normal permanent residence. Relatives let my mail collect at their place and I use their address for my license. I also see people from all generations come out here to try trucking which is a really difficult job.

Just today I had to wait a little bit as a young trainee was setting up to back into a dock. Along with that, do we turn wrenches or do handyman type stuff? I replaced one of my lightbulbs, but I don't have the resources to do serious work and I wouldn't be expected to on a company truck.

One time for another company, I was pulling a Refrigerated trailer and the cooling unit failed to restart. I did happen to have jumper cables so I jumped the trailer back to life with my truck batteries and saved thousands of pounds of SaraLee products.

Aside from all that, perhaps Millenials don't see a financial reward in that kind of manual labor. I do think many GenXers who got into computer gaming incidentally learned about computers in general just from upgrades or game modding, even if just downloading Wad files for Quake. I think Millenials do pickup incidental skill from using apps or other mobile features. In some cases, they might even be curious enough to learn Java or Swift to code apps and make money.