Do-it-yourselfer Dona Stone made an important decision when she found herself just one mother.
“I became determined to ensure my kids still had a great life, despite the fact that I was on my own as a single parent,” Stone said. “We weren't likely to just survive, we were likely to thrive.”
Cost became a primary influence in decisions related to Stone's Texas home and lifestyle.
When she needed a laundry folding table, Stone used a handsaw to make it and save money.
A do-it-yourself approach was created.
“Roadblocks were gone,” she said. “There was no one in our home to say I could not do something. Little successes empowered me. I made myself a do-it-yourselfer before long.”
When writer Mary Hunt of the popular syndicated column Everyday Cheapskate recommended RepairClinic.com for major money savings on appliance and outdoor power equipment repair, Stone took note.
“The concept of having to buy new appliances was overwhelming,” she said. “I desired to take my family on a vacation once a year so I couldn't use money to purchase things like new appliances. When I checked out RepairClinic.com, I was impressed using the free troubleshooting and repair-help information. I thought, 'I may be able to fix something on my own with their help.'”
Stone visited RepairClinic right away when her refrigerator's icemaker stopped working.
“My icemaker was an ideal problem for first-time DIY appliance repair,” she said. “I had nothing to lose. RepairClinic has a one-year return policy on all their parts. And, if I couldn't fix it, we could do without an icemaker.”
She fixed it.
“It felt amazing,” Stone said. “I felt so empowered. The intimidation related to taking something apart vanished. There was such a sense of relief in knowing I possibly could fix appliances on my own. Since that time, I've used RepairClinic's repair help 4 times. I particularly appreciate the helpful diagnosis and part-testing videos.”
Stone was motivated to start her blog, Single Mom Thriving, because she hopes to build confidence and inspire other single mothers to grow their do-it-yourself skills.
“It's a different world today for homeowners and single parents,” Stone said. “The Internet is packed with how-to resources to repair almost anything. To the reluctant single mothers who question their abilities to successfully repair appliances, outdoor power equipment and cooling and heating equipment on their own, I say, 'You can perform it. Do not let intimidation be considered a roadblock. It's far easier than you'd expect.'”
Stone advises get it done yourselfers about what to look for in online how-to resources.
“Be careful,” she said. “Take time for you to study the source. Find resources authored by credible brands. Be mindful that content shared on forums along with other platforms may not be accurate. I studied RepairClinic and it is competitors. I found that RepairClinic's content is concise and consistent. Reviews by their millions of customers demonstrate that the how-to information is accurate and trustworthy.”
Stone has successfully repaired four major appliances and estimates that she's saved a lot more than $2,000 by fixing them on her own. Most recently, she extended the life of her washing machine with RepairClinic repair help along with a $36 replacement part.
Read about Dona's most recent repairs on her behalf blog:
It’s a wash
Appliances and the single mom
In addition to repair help, Stone sees great value in RepairClinic's how-to maintenance information.
The more educated homeowners are about how exactly their appliances, outdoor power equipment and cooling and heating equipment work, the better they will be at caring for them, Stone explained.
“Good care will reduce energy consumed and keep stuff running well for extended,” she said.
Stone believes within the importance of teaching young people to become DIYers.
“My son is 12 years of age this year,” Stone said. “I sent him to RepairClinic to learn how to tune up our lawn mower. He watched the video and then replaced the air filter and spark plug and changed the oil. I want my children to know how to use RepairClinic.com. I want them to be empowered, too. I’m grateful for brands like RepairClinic.”
Thanks for sharing your inspiring story, Dona. Keep up the awesomeness!
Get inspired by Dona Stone’s amazing, money-saving DIY projects by frequently visiting her blog, SingleMomThriving.com.
