Will or Won't Do?

“The package you take with you gets home sooner.” That quotation is from my memory and may be off a bit; I recall it was a line form Marshall Field’s department store in Chicago. They provided free delivery of your purchases so you could buy more and not be overburdened walking back to your car, or riding the bus or “L” back home. The service proved to be a costly burden which only added to their competitive woes. Today they are no longer in business.

The thought is a good one, however; the package you take home with you gets their soonest. And the lawn mown by you gets done sooner and less costly and the way you want it, too. The home repair you do is done sooner than by a repairman you have to schedule and wait for. You want something done right, and soonest? Do it yourself.

The do-it-yourself American once was a fad. We prided our nation as a can-do culture. Then when standards of living soared and household incomes were boosted by two or more incomes, “Let George do it” became a mantra. Then landscaping crews were common in our neighborhoods as they primped and trimmed our yards for a monthly fee. Repair services abounded. Their trucks were everywhere on our streets. Until the recession of all recessions hit.

Gone now are many home cleaning crews. Plumbers are called for the most serious problems, the ones we can’t ignore for long. Painters ply their trade in our homes less frequently. Draperies begin to sag and fade; seams are allowed to deteriorate. Carpet stains last longer before the carpet cleaner is called. Repairs begin to pile up. Can-do slips to “I don’t know how to do that”.

We spend our money and time differently. We ignore some expenses for as long as we can, then we call someone. We shop for the lowest costs, the least work to be done. In this way we push some rehab work to many years from now unless a massive break down occurs. And that is what we are diddling with: major plumbing failures, same also with heating and air conditioning problems that need early detection and rehabilitation. And roof work, electrical system short comings. The list goes on and one.

It almost makes me yearn for a rental!

Can-do, or can’t do? Or won’t do? Not my job! Some of us Americans may need to rethink what we are about and how we are living.

Perhaps it’s time we ask ourselves those questions and seriously seek some answers. Maybe some changes are ahead. Maybe those changes are past due?

We shall see.

September 15, 2012