How to Know If It’s Better to Buy Something or Make it Yourself

There is no doubt about it, the Do It Yourself craze is here to stay! With all the modern tools and resources out there, you can literally make anything these days! But just because you can make something yourself, does it mean you should? There are many things to consider here, from costs to your needs. Here’s a handy checklist to answer if it’s better to purchase or produce it yourself:

1. Can I Make It?

The Internet is a treasure trove for instructions and recipes on how to DIY for just about anything you can imagine! And with the advent of 3D printers, there really is no lack of items that can be made at home. But a good question to ask yourself before purchasing, is whether you know, or can find out how to make whatever it is you want. You may not be able to make yourself a new pair of prescription eyeglasses for instance, but with a little searching, you might be inspired to craft your own wooden sunglasses. And if you can make it, why not make it?

2. Do I Have The Tools/Resources?

Can you borrow a drill from your neighbor? Could you trade goods or services through a freecycling program, or apps like Yerdle? Do you have a stock of reusable items in the recycling bin? Leftover odds and ends from the kids’ school supplies last year? A fabric stash, reclaimed wood from broken furniture, old buttons from worn clothing? Go through your home and assess whether you have the necessary tools and supplies needed to make your DIY project not only cost-effective, but sustainable and resource conserving.

3. Am I Physically Able?

You might have the instructions, the tools, supplies, and inclination to retile your circa 1920s bathroom, but does that mean you should? If you’ve never done more than check your oil, is it wise to try to convert your car engine to a water fuel hybrid?  Asbestos, mold, toxins, and other risks lurk everywhere, and it’s of vital importance to be fully educated on the safety of any DIY project you start. Know the risks involved, know your own abilities, and know when it is, or is not wise to undertake any project. 

4. Is It Cost/Resource Effective?

The biggest reason to make, rather than buy, is to combat the overconsumption of STUFF! But if making a thing yourself only requires you to purchase more supplies to do it, then it’s not really doing any good. By all means, making, recycling, and repurposing is leaps and bounds better than constantly buying, but sometimes the fun of making it yourself can lead back onto the path of overconsumption. Always weigh the total cost to your pocketbook and the planet before entering into any DIY project or purchasing endeavor.

5. Do I Need It?

An incredibly important question to ask yourself before making a purchase is if you truly need whatever it is. If the time and effort required to DIY isn’t worth it, then is it really necessary for you to have the item in the first place?  Ultimately, at the heart of making things is the simplification of our wants and needs, thereby increasing self-reliance, reducing over-consumption, and implementing awareness of the way we live and interact on this planet.

Image Source:  M338/Wikimedia Commons