gone bad. I did exactly like you, I called a handyman down the street. He told me where and what to buy, (took 20 minutes) then he stopped by and showed me what to do. (I did it myself) 15 minutes. We chatted WHILE we did it, and my wife baked him some cookies two days later. Win, win.

Since I learned that new skill, I've been able to give a friend and a brother the advice they need to fix it themselves and save money.

This is exactly to the point Clackamas is making. I spent 35 minutes one day learning a new skill, and it will serve me and my fellow man the rest of my life.

On the flip side I could have watched 35 minutes of a football game or whatever else my selfish side loves to do, while my handy man neighbor did it himself. I'm out $50, I have no new skill, and my friend and brother are out $300.

My point is, you can learn A LOT in just a few moments if you really want to.