I grew up on a farm 10 miles from the nearest town. Most repairs we did in two stages: 1: fix it 2: Then fix it right. Not everyone has the skillset or tools to do either.

While I applaud your attempt to grab the bull by the horns, a simple battery replacement on a vehicle does not address the potential underlying cause of the failure in the first place. Without a diagnosis of the vehicles starting and charging systems, you fixed it, but did you fix it right?

While most people can be more "handy" than they give themselves credit for, but you need to educate yourself about what you decide to be handy with. Removal and replacement (R&R) of parts is easy for most things. But the "why" and "how" are not. Wrong part, wrong tool and wrong proceedure can take that $50 savings into a $600 repair (of your repair) bill really fast.

Rules of repair:

1. If it needs to be done often, and you think you might enjoy doing it, learn it! (vehicle oil changes and lubrication, lawn mowing, water heater replacement, food disposer, faucet washers, etc.)

2. If it doesn't need to be done often, involves special tools, and the tools cost more than the repair, don't do it yourself.

3. If it involves your or others safety, don't do it. (vehicle brakes, garage door tensioning springs, electrical panel work)

4. "Be smart" and "be safe" are way above the do-it-yourself list of "be thrifty"...

hey rosie

batteys do get dirty and you cant buy a good hand cleaner in single servings

try buying the individual wrenchs and sockets it will cost more and you will need both on modern cars some cars you need to remove braces,washer bottles,body parts or other parts just to see the battery and you still have to buy the tools

as for the clothes are you going to walk home from you office and get the old clothes( cars never break down when its convenent for you)the tools should be in the car if you were prepared

not all cars have red and black leads many times they are both black even with out past DIY quality work involved

And for the doctor comparison yes automechanics must have more skills

A doctor has only 1 make with two models that haven't changed in twenty thousand years

A auto mechanic must deal with better than 15 makes each with many differnt models that change every year.  And we can't get away with giving the car a shot or a pill and charging you $200and a car dont try to heal them self (sorry doctors its true)

And as for the cost of going pro remember the tech that is working on the car do NOT see much of what you pay for most goes to the shop and the owner not us

I just repaired our 2006 Maytag washing machine and saved myself an untold amount of hard-earned dollars. Would I do it again? No Way! I'd trash the old machine and buy another. Aside from the $80 waterpump, plus shipping and handling, I spent more than 6 hours moving and disassembling the washer, giving everything a thorough cleaning, and reinstalling everything. At the end of this long day I had a two-yearold washer that worked but no guarantee that something else wouldn't fail next. I'd been better off buying a new washer at Lowe's, Home Depot, Sam's, BestBuy or Costco. They sell them for less than $300.

I met someone with their face melted from crossing the wires on the jumper cables when jumpstarting a car. Providing alternate power to the car can involve risk too, albeit minor. Its not so hard to replace the battery when you can just show up at kragen or autozone or alternative places and they test for bad batteries or insufficient alternator charge.

I would like to say anyone, can fix anything they put a mine to, just do it, and learn ,on the job training, is better then paying for a skilled laborer to do it, after you do it once ,it should come easy to you. This is what all American's need to learn to save a little in this day and age.

Another thought I do almost all things myself not only for the money I " earn" but I know the job is done right. To many times when I have hired out to the socalled experts be it home repair/improvement or auto repairs there is half assed work mistakes made etc the lack of quality in "all" trades is amazing to me no one gives a crap about doing a quality job anymore

I 've been replacing batteries, changing locks, caulking tubs, and other small household tasks since I was 10 years old. My dad forced me to watch him do those things, and now I'm glad he did. Why pay someone 60 bucks to do something I can do myself for like $15.

It wouldn't cost me anything to have my battery changed. Most good automtive parts stores in our area, install them free when you purchase it. They even test them for free, to make sure the problem actually is the battery.

Doesn't anyone understand that this is just an example of how you can save money?  Why go on and on about if you do or you don't replace a battery?  The point Donna is trying to make is that if you need to, you can actually save lots of money,  doing things yourself that maybe you never thought you could do!  And there is no doubt about it that she is right.  Just check it out first before you go and hire someone.  What is wrong with America?  We were always a self-sufficient  kind of people!

Please.  This guy thinks he is saving,but lets tally up the real cost.  Your going to need a ratchet, a correct fitting socket, sometimes a long extention to get the battery hold down lock off, and the know how of getting the battery terminals loose without causing damage.  Now if the acid from the battery has leaked, it can cause serious bodily harm as well as knowing when to replace the terminal or simple cleaning to know weather the battery just has been sitting and just need ample juice to get it charged again can be the cost of the battery.  As a AAA ex employee it is much easier to sign a membership and have a pro look at it before you get yourself in trouble or cause a fire or blow your car's computer.

This guy diy attitude may cause $1000's when the joob goes wrong.  Now with $50 and a garauntee who saves the most?