10 Basic Skills Everyone Ought to Know to Be More Self-Sufficient

Are you spending lots of money on hiring people for menial tasks and repairs? You can save a lot of cash just by learning to do a few basic household tasks. The best thing is that in many cases, learning them does not even take you much time.

Deciding upon the most useful tasks to learn can be tough. To help out, we have included our top ten basic skills you need to know.

1. Replacing Air Filters

This one really only applies to anyone that has an HVAC system installed in their home. For people that do, the heating and air conditioning maintenance is often one chore that seems to go unnoticed. However, it is extremely important and can save you a lot of money in repairs later down the line.

Air filters should be replaced around every 30 days, to increase the efficiency of your unit. It is a very simple task, that just involves unhooking the old air filter and slotting the new one into place.

2. Website Design

By learning website design, you are not only giving yourself a tool that saves money, but also one that can make one. Once you have learned how to build a website you can either create them to sell, build them to order, or use them to open your own online businesses.

It may not be a hands-on traditional skill, but you will be surprised how useful it becomes. Even with just a little coding knowledge, you can build a great looking site in WordPress that is functional and effective.

3. Cooking Basic Skills

With online deliveries ordered from your phone, eating what you like when you like has become really easy. While not all takeaway food is fast, it can get expensive, particularly if you are feeding a family. Cooking your own food gives you more control over what is going into your body.

You do not have to train to become a celebrity chef. In fact, just a few basic life skills such as grilling, preparing vegetables, and boiling an egg can go a long way. Before you know it, you will be cooking your own delicious meals and serving them up.

4. Unclogging a Drain

Drains and sinks can both get clogged, and when they do, it smells bad. You should always have at least two plungers in the house, one for the toilet and one for other areas. Place the plunger over the entrance to the drain or sink, creating a vacuum, then vigorously move it backward and forwards.

The suction should unclog the blockage. After this, you can put down some strong drain cleaner or make your own organic solution. If you still have troubles, try removing any blockages with a drain snake or wire coat hanger.

5. Repairing a Stuck Door

From drawers to doors, any item that is supposed to open but sticks can be a real problem. It can restrict movement throughout the house, and be a real pain when you are trying to get the things you need. Luckily, you can fix most things by easing the mechanism using some paraffin wax.

Apply the paraffin wax on the hinges or runner, then check to see if it moves more slowly. If you are having problems with more serious mechanisms such as outer doors, you may need to call a locksmith or garage door repairs.

6. Sewing

Fast fashion is not sustainable, and very often you may just need to repair a little nick in your favorite pants or add a button to your best jacket. It can be hard to find a professional to do these small tasks, and so it pays to learn how to do it yourself. Even a basic knowledge of sewing with a needle and thread can go a long way.

7. Cutting Hair

For men, getting a haircut can be relatively cheap and stress-free. You just walk in, wait your turn and soon it is done. For women, it is a whole different level with prices much higher than their male counterparts’ fees.

While it may not be feasible to cut your own hair, you can save people around you a lot of money by learning hair cutting skills. Just a few basic techniques can keep friends and family looking trim and fresh, without the huge bills a salon will bring.

8. Cleaning Gutters

A blocked gutter can cause a number of problems in your home. The primary function of them is to collect and channel rainwater away from your building. However, if they become clogged with twigs and leaves you will find the water going in places you really don’t want it.

If this pooling water freezes and expands, it can damage your property, and water that leaks into your home can cause dampness and mold. All you need to do to clean them is get your hands in or blast them with a leaf blower.

9. Vehicle Maintenance

If you are a driver, then there are a few basic skills you should know. The first is changing a tire, as you may find a flat occurs at any point. After that, you should know how to perform general engine maintenance, like changing the oil and water.

If you want to go further, you may decide on teaching yourself how to change spark plugs and some other small jobs. However, in modern cars, much of the engine work is now also tied to computer systems so you will have to visit a professional mechanic.

10. Fill a Hole

Cracks, holes, and dents in walls appear easily as you move around furniture and put up pictures. Sometimes, you can simply hide them with plants and other household items. At other times, they need to be addressed with a DIY task.

Buy a ready-made wall filler and squeeze it into the hole. You then need to smooth it off with a tool. After this, let it dry then sand the area and repaint.

Enjoy Them

There are enjoyment and satisfaction in learning and applying basic skills. Once you have done one and saved some money, you may become hooked. Try to build upon a few skill bases, and you may even find a second source of income.

Did you enjoy our handy blog? If so we have a range of articles to help you out with everything from fashion to finance. Visit us today so we can help hone your basic skills!