There are a lot of ways to get by in life without mastering any specific skills. From delivering food and groceries to car mechanics, retail stores, and more, you can pay someone to do just about anything nowadays. However, that can cost you a lot of money and time. There are a lot of skills it’s better to master yourself to make life better. Not only will friends turn to you when they could use a little help, many of these skills will impress the ladies!
Simple Car Maintenance
Just because you’re a dude doesn’t mean you have to know how to fix a car, but that doesn’t mean you should be completely useless when it comes to keeping your vehicle in tip-top shape.
It starts with knowing how to change the oil in your car, but there are other simple things you can learn how to do. Not only should you know how to jump a battery, you should know how to clean a car battery and change a car battery too. Knowing how to change a tire can really come in handy when you find yourself on the side of the road.
While you’re at it, learn how to drive a stick shift and pull a trailer. That way your dreams of owning a classic car and a boat don’t seem so far away.
Basic Carpentry
There are a lot of situations where knowing some basic carpentry can come in handy. With a few basic skills, you can make simple repairs around the home or save hundreds of dollars on simple pieces of furniture, like bookcases.
A few basic carpentry skills you should learn include:
- Use a hand plane
- Cut a mortise and tenon joint
- Apply stains on furniture
- Use common power tools
The best way to learn is to tinker around at home with little projects that don’t matter. Try building a small bookshelf or pick up a rickety old piece of furniture on the corner and see if you can fix it up. With a little practice, you can put up trim, fix furniture, and more in your home so you don’t have to hire a professional carpenter or dish out hundreds of dollars at the furniture store.
Dance
How confident are you on the dance floor? If you feel like you have two left feet or your go-to dance move is to sway with your dance partner like you’re in middle school, you aren’t alone. You can boost your confidence, impress the ladies, and have a lot more fun if you learn how to dance!
There’s no need to learn how to do the tango or swing dance. The simplest dance move to learn is the two-step. Although it’s basic, it’s much better than standing there not knowing how to move your body!
If you really want to be confident on the dance floor, try taking a class. You will learn some great dance moves, you’ll boost your confidence, and you’ll meet new friends who can help you practice.
Cook
Putting in a frozen pizza or making boxed macaroni and cheese doesn’t count as cooking. You should have a few skills so you can whip up a great meal for a dinner party or a date.
You don’t necessarily have to be able to make pasta from scratch or know how to butcher beef, but you should know how to make a sauce from scratch and know the perfect way to cook a steak.
If cooking really isn’t your thing, choose one or two signature dishes that you can make well, even if you aren’t any good at cooking anything else. At least you’ll have one or two meals to choose from when your significant other’s parents come to visit!
Saving Money
It’s fun to be reckless with your money in your late teens and early twenties, but there comes a time when every man should start saving money.
That means having more than one savings account. A few savings accounts to have include:
- Emergency fund
- Repair fund
- Vacation fund
You should also have at least one fund for big purchases. That way you have the money you need to replace the TV, buy a new gaming console, or an engagement ring, when the time comes.
You don’t know how to do everything yourself, but there are some things you should know how to do. Having the skills on this list can boost your confidence and make life easier while impressing everyone around you.