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Adulting 101: Tools to Fix It Yourself & Save Cash
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items Let’s be real—calling a handyman for a 10-minute fix is a total scam. Whether you’re trying to get your security deposit back or just trying to survive homeownership, this is the exact tool kit you need to handle everyday fixes without burning a hole...
Sections
4
The Everyday Hand Tools
Power Up (The Game Changers)
Measuring & Alignment
Hardware, Safety & Glues
The Everyday Hand Tools
These are the absolute fundamentals. The stuff you'll pull out of the bag at least once a week for quick fixes around the house.
You don't need a massive construction hammer. A classic 16-ounce claw hammer is the sweet spot. It’s heavy enough to drive nails into drywall studs easily, and the claw end is perfect for ripping out old nails when you mess up.
16 oz. Claw Hammer
Instead of buying a massive box of 20 different screwdrivers, just get a solid multi-bit one (like a 6-in-1). It saves so much drawer space and covers 99% of your needs, from tightening loose cabinet hinges to changing toy batteries.
Multi-Bit Screwdriver
Seriously, do not use kitchen scissors to open Amazon boxes or cut heavy materials. A retractable utility knife with replaceable blades is safer, sharper, and an absolute daily driver around the house.
Heavy-Duty Utility Knife (Box Cutter)
If you ever have a leaky pipe under the kitchen sink or need to grip a stubborn garden hose hookup, these adjustable pliers are a lifesaver. They give you crazy leverage without stripping the metal nuts.
Tongue-and-Groove Pliers
Instead of guessing socket sizes, a good 8-inch adjustable wrench has your back. Perfect for assembling furniture, adjusting bicycle seats, or tightening bolts on outdoor grills.
Adjustable Wrench (Crescent Wrench)
Power Up (The Game Changers)
The power gear that saves your wrists and your time. You don't need a whole workshop, just these two essentials to handle standard American home structures
If you buy only one power tool, make it a cordless drill. Go for a reputable brand like Ryobi, DeWalt, or Milwaukee. It makes screwing things into walls a breeze, and you'll need it for basically any furniture assembly.
20V Cordless Drill & Driver
Since American homes are mostly drywall, you cannot just hang a heavy TV or mirror anywhere—it will rip right through the wall. You need a stud finder to locate the wooden beams behind the drywall so your shelves actually stay up.
Magnetic Stud Finder
If you’re stepping up your weekend DIY game and getting into actual woodworking or furniture making, this thing is a cheat code. This benchtop machine punches clean, square holes into tough wood in seconds. It’s definitely a specialty tool, but if yo...
Benchtop Mortiser
Measuring & Alignment
Because guessing "by eye" always ends in a crooked shelf. These tools keep your projects looking sharp, accurate, and professional.
A flimsy sewing tape won't cut it. Get a heavy-duty, 25-foot locking tape measure. You'll use it constantly to measure rooms for new couches, check window sizes for blinds, or map out gallery walls.
25-Foot Locking Tape Measure
There is nothing more annoying than hanging a beautiful picture frame only to realize it's completely crooked. A small torpedo level is super cheap and guarantees everything you mount is perfectly straight.
9-Inch Torpedo Level
Hanging a gallery wall or floating shelves with a tiny hand level will drive you crazy. This gadget shoots a perfectly straight neon line across the entire room, making big projects an easy one-person job. Pro tip: get a green laser—it's way brighter...
Self-Leveling Laser Level
Hardware, Safety & Glues
The miscellaneous essentials, anchors, and safety gear that turn a frustrating home repair into a quick, safe, and successful fix.
If you're hanging a picture frame or a coat rack and you can't find a wooden stud, you must use a drywall anchor. I keep a plastic kit with various sizes in my closet at all times so I don't ruin my walls.
Drywall Anchor Assortment Kit
I know, I know, they look dorky. But trust me, the first time you drill into a ceiling and drywall dust or wood chips fly straight toward your face, you'll be glad you had these on.
Anti-Fog Safety Glasses
Don't just throw your tools loose into a kitchen drawer. A durable 12-inch canvas tool bag keeps everything organized, portable, and easy to grab when something suddenly breaks.
Heavy-Duty Canvas Tool Bag
The ultimate American DIY meme that is 100% true: If it moves and it shouldn't, use Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and it should, spray it with WD-40.
WD-40 & Duct Tape Combo