Highlights in this issue:

*** Save hundreds (if not thousands) of rands doing it yourself…
*** Cash strapped? Here are my 5 tips to fix a home emergency on the cheap…
*** Bonus tip: The best 5 minutes of your time you’ll ever spend – and it’ll save you big bucks… and more…

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From the pen of Karin Iten...

Dear Investment Academy Reader,

Book stores across the country have reported that sales for DIY “how-to” guides have risen dramatically since the start of the credit crunch.

The reason: People are turning to DIY to cut costs on home repairs. And, when tackling the right jobs, DIY can help you save hundreds (if not thousands) of rands.

Obviously, replumbing your bathroom might be beyond your expertise, but it’s worth considering DIY for easier jobs.

For example, forget getting the decorators in – paint your home yourself. Professionals could cost in the thousands for just one room, whereas you can paint one room for the cost of a can of paint (around R250 depending on gloss, colour, etc. for a five litre can). All you then need is a stable ladder, a quality roller, some elbow grease and a weekend with nothing to do.

It’s that easy… and it’s just as simple to fix-up other things around your home – without taking a second mortgage out to do so. Here are some ideas…

Tip #1: DIY can save money on your bills
A bit of DIY can go a long way to saving you money on future bills. For example, a blocked drain can cause thousands of rands in water damage, but you can avoid this by simply cutting the base off a plastic milk bottle and using it as a scoop to clear your gutters every six months. Just make sure someone holds the ladder for you while you do this – otherwise, medical bills could wipe out what you’ve saved.

Tip #2: Clean carpets yourself
To enhance the colour of your carpet, rub it with a mixture of 500ml water, 25ml vinegar and 25ml coarse salt. Or sprinkle it with salt, leave it on overnight and vacuum it out the next day. Four parts water mixed with one part turpentine also works wonders. Rub this solution onto your carpet with a clean cloth. Not only will this prevent you from spending hundreds of rands on renting a professional carpet cleaner or getting the professionals in to do it for you, but you’ll also keep nasty rug-eating bugs away too.

Tip #3: Unsticking tricky doors is easy
Doors take a lot of abuse on a daily basis: They’re opened and closed dozens of times each day and because of humidity, paint and a host of other problems, they can start sticking. But this is easier to fix than you probably imagine. The first thing you need to do is determine the root of your door’s problem. If the door’s sticking because of humidity, invest in a dehumidifier to pull excess moisture from the air. If this doesn’t solve the problem, you may need to sand down any spots that are causing the door to stick.

To locate the general area where a door’s sticking, run a thin piece of cardboard between the edge of the closed door and the frame. The area where the cardboard becomes stuck is the place where you’ll need to put your sandpaper to work. Even better, it probably won’t be necessary to remove the door from its hinges to fix this common problem.

Tip #4: Don’t flush away your money
Toilet mechanisms are generally very easy to repair. Some toilets, for example, run incessantly. Not only is this really annoying, but it can amount to hundreds of extra rands added to your water bill every year. Don’t despair, it’s probably not serious. Generally, this happens because the float arm doesn’t rise high enough to stop the loo from running – to solve this, simply put a brick in the bottom of the cistern. This will lift your water level and ensure that the float reaches the appropriate point.

Tip #5: Get rid of mildew smells
Nothing attracts mildew quite like the bottom of your staircase or your basement. But that musty smell isn't something you have to live with – though many people do! The first step to eliminating the smell is to get rid of any mildewed carpet padding, deep-clean your carpets and set any furniture outside in the sun to air out.

Next, mop or wash down concrete floors and walls with a solution of bleach and water (about 3/4 cup chlorine bleach to five litres of water). Let the solution sit on the concrete surfaces for five minutes, then rinse and dry. If that doesn’t work, install a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture.

Bonus tip: Care for your car
Book dealers have also reported that sales for car manuals have risen over the past few months as motorists try to cut their garage bills. For those of you who aren’t prepared to get your hands dirty, make sure you keep your engine clean, check your water and oil levels when you fill up, and test your tyre pressure regularly. It only takes about five minutes. According to the AA, tyre problems, for example, account for 10% of all callouts. So make sure you check them regularly.

Here’s to your financial freedom,

Karin Iten
For the Investment Academy

* This article was adapted from MoneyWeek feature.

PS: Some BIG changes are coming your way… stay tuned to Investment Academy this week to find out all about what’s going on…