This post is part of a 30-day series called the 30 Steps Program to Financial Independence.
Yesterday, I discussed the importance of learning how to do things yourself. It not only saves time and money but also gives you a great sense of accomplishment. I love the idea of not relying on skilled professionals for everyday tasks. Ideally, I’d even like to be able to hunt my own food or build my own house. Though I’m far from that level now, I’m slowly getting there. My next goal is to be able to do basic maintenance and repairs on my car—or currently, my motorcycle—which makes me really proud. My partner always jokes when I get excited over completing simple tasks, but it makes me feel great for days.
Your vehicle comes with a manual, so take a look at it. You can also find online guides or YouTube videos for how-to instructions. There are plenty of tutorials on changing the oil or air filter in your car. The tools you’ll need are pretty basic, and doing an oil change just once can offset the initial cost. You’ll just need to order an oil filter, buy the oil, and find a place to dispose of the used oil.
For now, this is about the extent of my motorcycle maintenance skills, but I think I’m doing a decent job! In France, people charge around $35 for this 20-minute task.
By handling maintenance and basic repairs yourself, you save money, time, and gain more independence. Plus, you’ll be in a better position to negotiate quotes if you think a job is straightforward.