I am not trying to degrade people who chose to do self imposed projects or chores but to share with you my personal journey that I realize that have been my burden. My entire family suffered from hoarding disorder and that included me for many years. I am so much happier now living with less clutter, having less belonging, and not worrying about unfinished projects.
I have just shared my particular experience in simplifying my life. Being Asian handyman work is not my blood. In truth those who chooses to built or finish a cabinet by themselves are not really saving money after the expense of buying all the tools and accessories. However, the satisfaction of creating or making something is priceless regardless of cost. I have been down that route before and I spent more money upfront for tools that I will only use once and could not recuperate my investments. I actually saved much more money when I do not have the need to buy things to store.
Places like Walmart, Target, and all professional bike store all bikes come assembled to minimize their product liability. I do not even know where I can buy a bike that comes in parts inside a box. Although I must say the idea of secretly assembling a bike in the garage for the kids before Christmas Day is a very Norman Rockwell sentiment and I see why so many parents labor themselves or self imposed extra work for the sentimental value and satisfaction.
Here is another good example: I bought a pair of jean from Nordstrom Rack for $15 on Sunday but if I had to make it myself I would spend on fabric alone from Joann fabric at least $10, pattern for $6, sewing machine for $100, sewing supplies $5 and the time I spent in shopping, cutting fabric and sewing 8 hours at my rate of $225/hr. My cost for the personal gratification of sewing a pair of jean would have cost me $1,921. This scenario applied to everything else in my life. When I go to a car wash costs me $12 and 45 minutes of my time in waiting but I actually formulate my proposals or talk to clients while I wait there. I made $168.75 while I waited to have my car cleaned. If I had to clean and vacuum my car I will take 2 hours and that is a loss of $450 for me. I like my work because I get paid for my idea regardless of where I performed my task.
The same also applies for frying a turkey because it cost me less to buy from Honey Bake because the time I save in the Kitchen I worked instead and billed my clients for ideas that I dreamed up on the dining room table. 4hr x$225=$1,000 is a lot more fun than frying a turkey. I also learned to realize the more clutter that I have to take longer time to find things as a result there is a huge loss of time.
John and his wife Robin McMonigle both have personal assistants to pick up dry cleanings and shop at South Coast Plaza for them because time is valuable and the little that is left for them they spent with their children rather than running errands.
Yes, 40% of homebuyers are Asians and I do know how they live. Homes in Irvine are tailored for Asians and their lifestyle. Asians are ideal home consumers their lifestyle don?t really require more land for those extraneous hobbies and home projects in the garages. They are the perfect target for high density planning. Large acreage communities such as Orange Park Acre, San Juan Capistrano, Nellie Gail, and Lemon Heights are not Asian neighborhoods. Success of Irvine is certainly not by accident. It is been calculatedly orchestrated.
For those who really need the extra room like in the garage for those dirty chores I will have to wish you good luck because in todays land equation developers would rather target other easier to please demographics with less demands on land consumption. Unless consumers are willing to pay $375/sf for the extra garages and the $20,000 for the extra land for road and longer utilities and storm drain line under the asphalt the 3 car garage will be revived.
Speaking of family I have to get home to see my wife with so little time that I have left.
