49 Times People Came Up With Hilariously Dumb Solutions To Problems That ‘Technically’ Work

The page has 81,000 members with a profile that reads, "MacGyver would be proud." It's a nod to the classic 1985 television series (rebooted in 2016) about Angus MacGyver, a man described as a "non-violent problem solver" who uses his keen handiness skills to get out of a jam. He could defuse bombs using paper clips and break zip ties using live wires.

You don't need to be at MacGyver level, but knowing how to properly fix something would be beneficial. For builder, author, and humanitarian Ian Anderson, begin with the small things around the house. 

"Listen to your stuff, notice how things sound when they are working okay," Anderson told Apartment Therapy. "Touch things to notice how they feel. Sniff things; odd smells often mean something has changed, maybe a leak or something overheating.

Practice brings precision, a concept that likewise applies to being handy. Anderson urges doing trial runs on easily disposable scrap material. 

"Grab an 8-feet length of two by four and mark the first three feet up with some square lines and saw it into slices like a bread loaf. Three feet later, you'll be cutting as square as a pro."

Still on the topic of practicing, Anderson advises starting with simple must-know tasks like changing lightbulbs and tightening loose screws. 

"Even just keeping things clean will teach you something because it means you have to get up close and can spot something new early."

Fixing something and restoring its functionality can be satisfying. Likewise, you can save money on supposed repairs. As Anderson reminds us, "As a handy person, you'll save valuable resources by keeping your stuff in good repair."

If you're struggling with a chore because of your lack of skills, Anderson has one important reminder: there's nothing wrong with asking for help. This is especially true for chores involving potentially dangerous tasks like electrical work. 

Becoming more handy is impossible without the proper tools. Home Depot Vice President David Passifume spoke to Yahoo and gave a list of essentials. 

"This includes a tape measure, a hammer with a comfortable grip, both a Philips head and flat head screwdriver, a pair of pliers, a cordless drill, a level, a stud finder, a handheld sander, and a few adjustable wrenches in different sizes to manipulate nuts and bolts."

Painting is another satisfying DIY activity for the home, and for expert Christina Blake, it is also an excellent place to start. 

"Adding a fresh coat to an old piece also gives you the opportunity to experiment with different colors and finishes, before taking on bigger paint projects in the future."

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