Post by papaof2 on Jul 23, 2020 9:11:51 GMT -6
Replaced the battery in my wife's favorite watch today. The kiosk at the mall wants at least $20 to do that and it the takes me no more than 10 minutes. 60/10 = 6 * $20 = $120/hr - maybe even more $$ with the nearest mall being a 12 mile round trip and the vehicle's engine not being at full operating temperature for part of that trip.
She also has a Christmas watch that needs a new battery each season and I have two digital watches - one "work" and the other "dress", although the self-winding watch now sees more use as a "dress" watch because the dial is bigger and I never worry about it needing a battery - a half dozen shakes and it's running so I can set the time. I can no longer read the date without glasses so I don't bother setting it. The self-winder is a cheap Chinese knock-off that doesn't run more than 8 hours after you take it off but it's fine as long as it's on my wrist. I had some US made self-winders in the distant past that ran much longer when not being moved - they always had the right time when I picked them up in the next day or so.
I bought the watch/watchband tool set several years ago (cheap on Ebay) and probably paid for the tools with the first two battery replacements. Since then it's just free money. I already had the headband magnifier for electronic work but they're not expensive. Most of the little batteries are under $2 in single lots and even cheaper in a 5-pack (the 364/363 battery I replaced today is 5/$2.79 on Ebay).
When the SS check is an appreciable part of your income, little things with a big payback are very helpful. Having a small but steady stream of buyers for my books also helps - averaging about 4 books/day for the past 10 months which pays the utility bills. Thank you.
She also has a Christmas watch that needs a new battery each season and I have two digital watches - one "work" and the other "dress", although the self-winding watch now sees more use as a "dress" watch because the dial is bigger and I never worry about it needing a battery - a half dozen shakes and it's running so I can set the time. I can no longer read the date without glasses so I don't bother setting it. The self-winder is a cheap Chinese knock-off that doesn't run more than 8 hours after you take it off but it's fine as long as it's on my wrist. I had some US made self-winders in the distant past that ran much longer when not being moved - they always had the right time when I picked them up in the next day or so.
I bought the watch/watchband tool set several years ago (cheap on Ebay) and probably paid for the tools with the first two battery replacements. Since then it's just free money. I already had the headband magnifier for electronic work but they're not expensive. Most of the little batteries are under $2 in single lots and even cheaper in a 5-pack (the 364/363 battery I replaced today is 5/$2.79 on Ebay).
When the SS check is an appreciable part of your income, little things with a big payback are very helpful. Having a small but steady stream of buyers for my books also helps - averaging about 4 books/day for the past 10 months which pays the utility bills. Thank you.