KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

✔ From personal care to household repairs, there are a lot of services you can learn to do yourself to save money.

✔ There are many online tutorials with tips and advice to help you master services that you can do yourself. 

✔ Taking the time to learn a new skill is rewarding for both your mind and your wallet. 

Whether you’re trying to save for something special, pay down debt or make your budget stretch a little further, there are likely things you’re spending money on that you could have fun learning to do yourself. 

It’s never been easier to learn a new skill and get tips and advice from the experts thanks to all the online life hacks and do-it-yourself content. From personal to household tasks, here are five services you can do yourself and save some money.

1. Home heating and cooling

It costs less over time when your home is energy efficient and all of your equipment is in good shape. Simple things like changing the furnace filter and sealing doors and windows don’t require a lot of tools or expertise. Installing a smart thermostat will help you use less energy by optimizing your home temperature which can save you money on your energy bill. 

2. Car tune-up and clean-up

Changing your car’s oil according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule is one of the easiest ways to keep it in top shape. Depending on the type of oil your car uses, the cost could range from $49 to $130. If you’re handy and have a space where you can change the oil and install a new filter safely, you could save money by investing in a few tools and taking the time to do it yourself. The same goes for cleaning your vehicle. Car washes are convenient but expensive. Instead, carve out an hour to do it yourself. 

3. Personal care 

From haircuts to manicures and pedicures, you really can do it yourself. To start, you’ll need some basic supplies and space in your home where you can work. Cutting your hair does take some skill, but there are plenty of online tutorials from trimming bangs to using store-bought colour. For salon-perfect nails, all you need is a little patience, practice and the right tools. Prepare your ‘work’ station with the basics – polish remover, clippers, file, buffer, polish (base and top coat). It’s a little investment, but in a few months you’ll “nail” it. 

4. Taxes

Filing your income tax form is fairly easy if you work for a company that provides an annual T-4 slip and your financial situation is relatively basic. Many online tools walk you through the process and tell you what information you need. 

Filing taxes properly and on time can help you qualify for credits that could lead to a tax refund. You can use that money to pay down loans or top up your emergency fund.

If your income last year was low, you may be eligible to have your tax forms completed for free through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, a partnership between the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and community organizations and their volunteers. 

5. Home improvements

You can bet there’s an online tutorial that will teach you how to tackle any home improvement project. From painting to wiring a new light to unclogging a drain, almost anything can be done with the right attitude, a few tools, and a little time. 

Take your do-it-yourself approach one step further by researching how to make your own cleaners and store them in reusable spray bottles so you never have to pay for packaging and fewer bottles end up in landfills. Here’s a list of eight household cleaners you can try. 

Have fun learning new skills and discovering new ways to save money by taking on more DIY projects around your home. Then put the money you save toward something or someday. 

Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice on any subject matter.