We’ve all spent countless hours going down the YouTube rabbit hole. Just one more video turns into hours lost following recommended clips, until long past the point we should have turned in for the night. As fun as this can be, however, there’s also something to be said for YouTube’s capabilities as a money-saving tool. No, we’re not talking about videos that promise get-rich- quick schemes, but rather tutorials and guides that help us learn DIY tips and tricks. Even if you’re a total beginner, there’s a lot to learn here, and the rewards can be both financial as well as fun.
Don’t Be Afraid
We’ve written tips that our readers can use to save money before, and these have always gone over well. Why is it, then, that more involved actions tend to fall on deaf ears? Usually, the answer is found in how much we underestimate ourselves. While it’s true that your first efforts in DIY will never match up to those of a professional, this doesn’t mean that your work will be in vain.
Entry-level projects in DIY are no harder to follow than the basic instructions you’d see in cooking or signing up for a website. With the right channel, all the guesswork can be taken out, and the only real learning curve will come with getting used to the tools. Remember, building something yourself is almost always cheaper than having a professional do it, with the added reward of personal satisfaction.
Photo by Ono Kosuki from Pexels
Which Channels to Follow
Depending on your interests, DIY can take many forms. Understanding this, not all DIY channels on YouTube are going to be created equal. What we would recommend is that, rather than going straight for the most popular, you should instead choose that which best caters to your hobbies and interests. It’s a lot easier to learn something when you’re passionate about the result, so head to the person or channel that most closely aligns with your lifestyle.
Simple First Projects
Swinging for the fences can result in the most rewarding finished projects, but this approach also introduces the greatest potential for failure. Instead, it’s best to start with something small and use that to build your confidence and familiarity with what you’ll be using. One thing to note is that, even with simple videos, it’s common for content creators to assume at least some degree of knowledge. If you’re starting from scratch, it’s best to search for anything you’re unsure about beforehand.
For example, one video we watched introduced us to the concept of metal safe glue. Rather than assume this meant whatever we had lying around, searching around led us to the conclusion that epoxy adhesives and polyurethanes are the way to go. Building on this knowledge, we also discovered that there are beginner-friendly tools to help with this glue, to further mitigate the risks of human error.
Photo by Ono Kosuki from Pexels
No matter who you watch and which project you start with, understand that there is a teething period, and you’ll be better set for future success. Start simple, build your way up, and you’ll find yourself equipped for even larger and most cost-saving projects in the future. Who knows, you might even find a new talent you never dreamed you possessed.
