BARTER

Who out there has a needed skill? Most of us have a skill or a trade that we make a living doing. One of my biggest money savers is "NETWORKING." I deal with people through work that have skills. My friends and neighbors all have skills. My family and extended family all have skills. So one of the best tools out there is to BARTER!! I trade out work on my computer when it has problems to a friend, and when their van breaks I fix it. I have traded out mechanic work to a friend who is a chiropractor. I have a local shop that has cut me numerous deals on stuff because of the amount of people I have sent to him by word of mouth over the years. Many people think of networking as only a job finding tool. It deals so well with the rest of our daily lives that I use it daily. I keep in touch with most the people I use it with. In fact my last job was because I ran into an old friend who told me to call his boss for a job. So needless to say it works in all directions!

Volkswagon Passat Engine Light Repaired

So it has been a few days since I went and checked the engine codes and repaired the vacuum lines that were making my service engine light illuminate. So far, so good. My mileage has gone up a little, since your engine light does goof up the emissions system when it is on. An easy inexpensive repair that would have cost me an easy couple hundred dollars.

How many cars you have owned

How many cars and trucks have I owned in the last 16 years? Well lets see.......20! I know I am a sick individual. But most of the time I get bored and end up selling one and buying another. Sad part is, is that I know the price I bought each of them for, the price that I sold them for, and the starting and ending mileage! For a grand total of 367,060 miles on those 20 vehicles! So is this a low number or a high number. I generally keep them for a year and get rid of them. Mind you,I have never bought a "NEW" vehicle. The lowest mileage on any of my cars was the last truck I bought that I currently still have, A 2005 Chevy that had 61K miles on it when I bought it. Oh there was a 1998 Honda Civic with 38K miles on it that I only had for 6 months. I hated that car it was too small.

They all have been used. I don't even know how much money I have saved by being able to work on them myself. I do everything from changing the fluids to major engine and front end work. I know a lot of people say that they don't have the tools or know how, but you can do the majority yourself. Most parts stores will rent you the tools you need to do a job for free. You pay them, then when you are done with the tools you return them and get your money back. Believe me I did not get all my tools over night. It has taken quite a number of years.

Repair Manuals

The best way to get a start in finding out more about the cars and trucks you own is to buy a Haynes Manual. I like them better than any other books offered. With the exception of the dealer repair manual. But these are a lot cheaper than a dealer book. This manual is based off of a complete tear down of the vehicle. I buy one of these for each brand of car that I own. If I sell it, I keep the book. You end up with a library of repair books, and who knows....you might buy another one of the same vehicles down the road. Parts stores sell these for $14-$25 depending on the brand of car. My Passat book cost more than my Chevy and Ford books. I feel like a Fleet Manager. I maintain all of my families cars and trucks. They have a problem they call me and we trouble shoot over the phone discussing the way that the vehicle is acting. I have gotten each of them to buy repair manuals so that they can help me find the problem. It has also made it to where each of them are more confident and can often fix it themselves.

Volkswagon Passat Engine Light Continued.....

So, I checked the engine light and the code read Cylinder lean(fuel to air ratio low). With the mileage on the Passat at 98,000 miles my first change was the fuel filter. When I pulled it out I discovered that it was the original! The first filter I found was $38 way too much for my blood. I opted for the $9.00 version of the same filter. I followed the steps in the code reader and erased the codes. I thought good, problem solved. Then 2 days later the light came back on. I opened the hood with the engine running to listen for any air leaks.(Sucking Noise in the Intake)I heard a lot. So I undue the cover over the engine and follow the noise using my ears and fingers. I found the problem.....it was some vacuum lines at the rear of the motor that had gotten baked by the heat off the motor. A few feet of the right size vacuum hose for $4.50 and the problem was solved. Minor problems like this are spendy if you take your vehicle to a shop. If you are patient and trouble shoot yourself or even enlist a friend or even check the internet you can do a lot yourself and keep money in your pocket.

How I made a Lawnmower into a Saw mill

Well, what do you do with an old lawnmower? You turn it into a portable sawmill of course! So I got this idea after a lot of time spent searching the internet and viewing tons of portable band mills. I did not really want to spend the money to buy a mill when I know that I won't get the amount of time needed to pay itself off. So I drew up my plans and ordered the metal. Once I had the metal delivered it only took 1 day to get the frame built. The more time-consuming part was designing the carriage and mount for the motor and chain saw bar. I opted for the use of the chainsaw bar because I had a 32" bar and skip chain already. I have tried to make sure to use everything already on hand rather than purchase new.


For the sprocket, I welded a 3/8" sprocket gear onto the original adapter for the lawnmower's blade. I haven't gotten to try it out yet, but I have it all assembled.

More Tips...Volkswagon Check Engine Light On

Tired of looking at your check engine light? Don't be intimidated when it comes to working on a car. Everyone needs a starting point.

How much does a shop say they charge to "check " your engine light?.....Most charge $30-$60. You can have an auto parts store check it for free, but they can't erase the code that comes up. So when it comes time to find out why your "service engine" light is on, spend the money on a new tool instead of paying someone else. This is a great way to build up your tool box!



I paid around$60 for this code reader. I can read and erase codes and find out what the general problem is. The biggest problem when taking your vehicle to a shop is that "you" have "NO CLUE" what the problem is. This leaves the door open for dishonesty, and the possibility of "added charges". Not saying that all shops are dishonest, but there are plenty of people out there that will throw parts at a problem not knowing how to fix it, but you will still be the one paying the bill. It pays to have an idea what is wrong. Kind of like the people going into surgery and writing on the body part, "This Leg."

Now Let's Try It!

How many times have you said "Yes" when asked, "Do you want us to change your wiper blades?" Have you checked the receipt to see how much they charged you? Rather than paying your local quick lube to change your wiper blades, Let's Do It Yourself! Wipers can be bought at your local Walmart, or Parts stores. The machines to help you buy the right ones are as basic as an ATM. So once you have the correct ones, lets put them on.
First Remove the old one by pressing the tabs to release it.


Second open the new wiper and put on the adapter if needed. Then snap the new wiper into place. Presto! You just saved yourself $10-$20!!

HOW TO SAVE ON MECHANIC WORK

Tired of paying for high priced mechanic work? Don't think you can do it yourself? Let's help!
Here is a list of Basic Tools needed.
1. Cresent (adjustable) wrench
2. Flat scew driver
3. Phillips scew driver
4. Latex gloves
5. Socket set(metric & standard)
6. Ratchet and extension
7. Oil filter wrench
8. Pliers


These tools alone will help you to save money doing it yourself instead of paying to have it done.