Need to Fix Your Car, Clock, or Computer? Here's How to Find …

Do you need to fix a broken clock or revive your sick garden, but have been holding off due to the high cost of bringing in a pro? Turns out, there are plenty of ways to find affordable expert help — while still saving money. Keep reading for tips to affordably restore and repair your household items, car and computer, garden, and more.

For household items: Visit the library.

Love the free books, movies, and music your library offers?

Many also offer repair clinics where experts will fix your broken belongings for free! Their goal is to help you hold on to favorite items longer and avoid filling up landfills. In most cases, you’ll be able to bring a wide assortment of items to be fixed (including appliances, bicycles, clocks, furniture, and jewelry), as well as bring in tools for sharpening.

Just check your local library’s calendar of events or ask your librarian when their repair clinic is held. Have clothing that needs mending? Some clinics offer to fix zippers, patch rips, sew hems, and more.

If you don’t live near a library that hosts repair clinics, you can find more volunteer fix-it events at RepairCafe.org/en/visit. Or call your town’s waste management office, as many offer free repair clinics too.

For cars or computers: Head to school.

At some point, we all have trouble with our car or computer. Fortunately, when you need a fix for yours, there’s an easy way to save 50 percent or more on repairs: Head to a technical college that teaches students how to become automotive or computer technicians.

Many that offer these programs give discounts on repairs to the public so their students can get valuable hands-on learning experience. And since teachers supervise all jobs, you’re getting the same high-quality workmanship that you would if you went to a traditional repair shop. To find a school near you, search online for the type of school you need (“automotive technology” or “information technology”) and your location.

Then visit the school’s website to look for a repair program that’s available to the public, or call the school and ask if they offer the program.

Tip!

Want to sharpen blurry pics in old photo albums without paying a photo restoration pro? Upload them to AnyMP4.com/image-upscaler. This AI-powered program sharpens photos, then allows you to download the new ones — for free!

For homes: Search online.

Does your house need repairs not covered by homeowners insurance?

There are government-sponsored programs that can help! For example, if you’re 55 and over, reach out to your state’s Department of Aging (HHS.gov/aging/state-resources/index.html) since some offer home repair programs exclusively for seniors. Also smart: Search online for nonprofit groups who do free home repairs in your area.

Just type in your state or city and “home repair volunteers.”

For gardens: Look for co-op programs.

Spring is the perfect time to plant flowers, shrubs and trees. No need to hire a landscaper to get advice if your greenery isn’t thriving or you don’t know which plants are best for your area. That’s because gardening pros are available at no cost at Cooperative Agricultural Extension offices at universities that have partnered with the United States Department of Agriculture.

Here, you’ll find free information about all aspects of gardening (including plants, soil, fertilizer, and irrigation), can ask questions and take classes to improve your green thumb. Some even offer clinics where you can get plants, soil, and water diagnosed so you can avoid disease and pests. To find a program near you, visit NIFA.USDA.gov/land-grant-colleges-and-universitiespartner-website-directory, your state, and “Extension” in the drop-down menus.

Don’t live close enough to one? They typically offer online consultations, webinars and an online library of information.

Saving science!

Argh — the food processor you recently bought broke, but the warranty has expired! If you used a credit card to buy it, chances are you have “purchase protection,” an extended warranty that pays some or all of the cost of repairs. For example, Visa doubles the original manufacturer’s repair warranty when it’s one year or less and adds one year for warranties of up to three years, covering the original price of the item up to £10,000.

Just call the number on your card to find out more.

A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.

barker-and-stonehouse listed on couponmatrix.ukdaysoutcom listed on couponmatrix.ukoakley listed on couponmatrix.ukscholastic-book-clubs listed on couponmatrix.uktower-of-london listed on couponmatrix.ukwightlink listed on couponmatrix.uk
barker-and-stonehouse listed on couponmatrix.ukBarker and Stonehouse pride themselves on their diverse selection of furniture sourced from every corner of the globe, from stylish sofas to elegant dining sets and beautiful beds. Whether you’re looking for the latest trend or a timeless classic, there’s something to suit every interior and the barker and stonehouse discount code means you can achieve top designer looks without having to save up for months or years. Brands include Ercol, Little Tree Furniture, Duresta and Timothy Oulton.
daysoutcom listed on couponmatrix.ukHalf-term adventures, unforgettable dates and city staycations start with a visit to daysout.com, where you can find things to do anywhere in the UK. Whether it’ll be London, Birmingham or Edinburgh on the cards, make it a day to remember with affordable tickets for you and the family – our Days Out discount codes can save you money at with Madame Tussauds, the London Dungeon, SEA Life Birmingham, the Magical London Pass and much more. From theme parks and zoos to historical attractions and interactive experiences, there’s no better place than daysout.com for heaps of inspiration and tips for a cheap day out.
oakley listed on couponmatrix.ukVisit the Oakley website to explore the range of sunglasses, backpacks, clothing and more available for both men and women. Grab an Oakley promo code and save a small fortune on the cost of your purchase. With over 44 years experience in retail, Oakley has tried and tested all their products to perfection; goggles for mud and snow meet European Community directives for optical performance and every item has been designed with you in mind.
scholastic-book-clubs listed on couponmatrix.ukReading is a critical part of children's individual development and Scholastic makes it easy for every child to access books they'll adore. If the excitement of Scholastic's Book Fair has left your child hungry for more, they'll love the even larger selection of titles available on the Scholastic website. Let them pick out their favourite titles, then add a handy Scholastic promo code to your order to scoop a generous discount. From funny stories and classic tales to non-fiction and TV favourites, there's a book suitable for every child.
tower-of-london listed on couponmatrix.ukA fortress, palace and prison all in one, the Tower of London is a fascinating place to visit and is an ideal stop on a family day out - with a Tower of London discount you’ll be able to access over 1,000 years of history for less! Find out what famous prisoners have spent some time here such as Guy Fawkes and Anne Askew and of course you can’t miss out taking a peek at the infamous Crown Jewels.
wightlink listed on couponmatrix.ukIt’s never been easier to explore the Isle of Wight than with Wightlink ferries. The service shuttles over 4.5 million passengers to and from the Isle of Wight yearly, and has recently invested 45 million into an environmentally friendly flagship. Bringing you sandy beaches, castles, theme parks, restaurants, sailing and much more, the Isle of Wight provides the perfect day out or weekend trip for everyone. With the Wightlink discount code, you can enjoy the wonders of the Isle for less. With crossings available from three fantastic locations in Southern England, the Wightlink ferry service is the perfect service for you.