Which course would be most useful for OS living?

elljay

Gosh car maintenance wins hands down. I don't know about 'rocket science' and new cars, but surely doing the basics is still the same? Checking oil and other levels, changing a tyre, windscreen wipers, basic electrics (fuses etc), bulbs, battery charging and so on can't have changed that much. I suppose it would depend on where you live and what the public transport is like though, living out in the sticks I've never regretted not being able to quilt, but would have regretted not being able to do the above. I did a car maintenance course at night school years ago and although the specifics have changed, and of course every car is different, it did give me confidence to at least have a go. If nothing else, you can talk to a mechanic with some knowledge, avoiding that horrible 'I'm being patronised and ripped off here' feeling.

Running up a curtain can be learnt from youtube in one session. I suppose you'll have to decide between a 'nice to do' and a 'need to do'.

Maitane

Basic car maintenance is a good idea as would anything that shows you how to fix things around the house like dripping tabs or leaks. That saves you on call out fees and damage.
If you get to do courses free and haven't done it before, what about first aid too?

duchy

What jobs have you paid people to do because your husband can't do them ? (or would have liked to have paid someone to do)

For example if he is rubbish at wallpaper hanging a decorating course might be worthwhile- if he's fantastic at it - not much point.

I do wonder how many quilts one person can have ....so for a more crafting skill -would you be planning to make items just for you -or to make an income from ? For example cake decorating might be a skill with more demand for it than quilting -either for pleasure or gifts or for making some income.

If you are going to invest your time then it's worth working out what the return (doesn't have to be money) on that investment will be.

kathrynha

My hubby did a car maintenance course years ago, and has saved us lots over the years. Yes he can't do everything, but he can do the little jobs like oil change, spark plugs, brake pads and discs.
Brake disc change at a local garage 10 years ago was going to cost us over £100, but he did it for £25 parts.


Sewing is also useful, although not always much of a money saver. If your windows are standard sized, then ready made curtains can be cheaper than buying the material to make your own.
It's not necessarily just about saving money though. Being able to make your own gives you something unique and special.

missbiggles1

kathrynha wrote: »

My hubby did a car maintenance course years ago, and has saved us lots over the years. Yes he can't do everything, but he can do the little jobs like oil change, spark plugs, brake pads and discs.
Brake disc change at a local garage 10 years ago was going to cost us over £100, but he did it for £25 parts.


Sewing is also useful, although not always much of a money saver. If your windows are standard sized, then ready made curtains can be cheaper than buying the material to make your own.
It's not necessarily just about saving money though. Being able to make your own gives you something unique and special.

I think that people sometimes forget that it's all these little things that are covered under car maintenance - there's a big difference between maintenance and repairs.

Alikay

I'd say the soft furnishings course will be useful for a lot more than cushions and curtains. Every since I wasted a length of gorgeous and expensive Designers Guild fabric by cutting my 3rd child's bedroom curtains wrongly, I tend to leave those sort of jobs to the experts. I have however run up Dracula capes, Hungry Caterpillar, angel and Robin Hood outfits and plenty of sundry little sewing jobs where the quality of work isn't so important.

pigpen

I'd go soft furnishings and quilts.. useful skills you can use in other areas.. dressmaking for example..






cars.. all electronics now so not worth the bother unless youre wanting to do up an old tin can.


decorating/plumbing/electrics/plastering/tiling/gardening/carpet fitting.. all stuff you always need doing.. as does everyone you know..

Most craft items are in demand now because people are moving towards skill swapping with lack of cash etc

AnnieO1234

I would say car maintenance. Just because an electronic handbrake replacement is a garage jobby doesn't mean that basic servicing is. At least if you know how to change the oil etc you can always do it for yourself in a pinch. Yes cars are getting more sophisticated but the basics are still very much the same.

Xxx

missbiggles1

If the OP is on a low enough income for her to get fee concessions, it's highly likely that she runs an old banger, where car maintenance skills can help greatly to keep it on the road economically.

KeepOnKnitting

I would also choose car maintenance. I run a 22-year-old car, and while I don't do the maintenance myself, my ex taught me a bit of the basic info so I know enough to have a rough idea of what is wrong and be able to limp it to the garage if I need to. The background knowledge is so useful, as it makes me feel much more confident taking my car in for work. It also gives me the confidence to pop my bonnet and check fluids and suchlike and know what I am looking for.