Ask for Help - from your team

If you ask for help with things you're doing, you might be surprised at how fast the work gets done, and how much you learn.

Of all the ideas for frugal living, this one has the most number of facets and therefore can be very intriguing.

Do you call a contractor every time you need help with plumbing, electrical work, or a small project? Next time you need help, how about asking a neighbor or friend? Wouldn’t that be a good way to save money?

If you trade helping each other, you’ll learn new skills and strengthen your friendship. If you broaden your “give help and get help” circle, soon you’ll have a friendly team of capable people that can pitch in to help one another on just about anything. Now, that's thrifty living.

My neighbor Fred helped me dig a deep trench for a modification to my domestic water system before I owned a backhoe. This kind of help saved me lots of money that I otherwise would have had to pay a contractor to come out with his rig and dig the same 6-foot deep trench. Instead, Fred just strolled over with his backhoe mounted on his tractor to help out a friend.

He would do anything for me (within reason) and I'd do the same. It's a great way to save money, build a friendship, and get projects done.

Just think of what kind of resource this could turn into. Just think of how much money you could save if your neighbor helped you fix the toilet or faucet instead of making that $50 phone call to the plumber every time you needed a little help.

Just ask for help. Think of this as do-it-yourself and do-it-with-help. Everyone has a talent that could complement others in a group. I can’t imagine that people wouldn’t be excited about saving money and working with their friends.

Done with Ask for Help, back to Mindset of Frugality