Being self-reliant is great. It's something we should all strive towards. Especially if you want to not get ripped off by mechanics, contractors or web designers who may employ double-talk or prey on your lack of expertise - at least having rudimentary knowledge of important subjects can save you money and time.

We'd all like to this we have valuable skills in a post apocalyptic scenario but unless you know how to grow food or build things, you are not an asset in that scenario.

Anyway, I was just wondering if just because you CAN do something, SHOULD you?


Changing Your Oil

This analogy is the crux of this article. I personally was always taught to know how to change my own oil to be self-reliant and I'm glad I can do it. That said, I've probably only changed my own oil about 7 times.

When you think about though, does it make sense to change your own oil?

Let's say we're talking about conventional oil (not "synthetic oil"), so lets say it's $45 on national average by the time you're out the door. Most engines will take 5-6 quarts of oil, and lets put the price at a generously low $6 per quart out the door. The oil alone is now around $33. Let's say an oil filter is around $10 (plus or minus 1-2 dollars). Right off the bat, the price of what you get at an oil change is a wash even just for the cost of the materials.

Furthermore, oil change places include an inspection of fluid levels, brake pads, tires and maybe more. Sure, oil change places do this as an opportunity to find more services for you to order; but you're under no obligation to have them change your brakes or tires.

Then there's my biggest reason for going to the pros - if you do it yourself, where will you dispose of the oil? It can mean a trip to a recycling center or, if you're lucky, a local auto parts store. This is a huge hassle.

Then ask yourself if you really feel like climbing down under your car to loosen the plug under the engine and drain it out. Your time is worth SOMETHING as is the health of your back. The oil change place has lifts and likely a subfloor bay to do this conveniently.

After reading that, why in the world would you want to change your oil?


Pros & Cons Of Outsourcing

Despite my motor oil example, most outsource-or-not decisions are not so easily calculated.

The decision between outsourcing and doing it yourself depends on various factors, including the nature of the task or project, your expertise, available resources, and specific goals. Here are some generic considerations:

Positives of Outsourcing
- Outsourcing allows you to leverage the expertise of professionals who specialize in the specific task or project.
- It can be cost-effective for certain tasks, as you don’t need to invest in training, tools, or infrastructure.
- Farming out non-core tasks allows you to focus on your strengths and core business activities.
- If it's dangerous or mission-critical and you're not an expert, you should minimize risk and hire somebody.

Arguments for D.I.Y.:
- You have full control over the process and can make decisions based on your priorities.
- No surprises or switcheroos
- For simple tasks, doing it yourself may be cost-effective, especially if you already have the necessary tools and skills.
- Doing it yourself provides a valuable learning experience. It can enhance your skills and understanding of the task or project.
- DIY provides flexibility in adjusting plans and making quick decisions.

In many cases, a combination of outsourcing and DIY might be a viable approach, where you outsource tasks that require specialized skills and handle others in-house based on your expertise and resources. Ultimately, the decision should align with your specific needs and goals.


What Does This Mean For Software Projects

Most of those generic rules above apply as well to software and technology.

I will throw in an extra consideration when it comes to software. When it comes to using plugins or third-party APIs and web services, they can always disappear on you suddenly. Home-grown solutions, even imperfect ones, are under your control.

That said, using in-house people who aren't experts end up with a hobbyist approach towards solutions. Have you heard the expression, "When you're a hammer, everything's a nail"? Your in-house person might go with a solution just because it's what he or she kind of halfway knows, not what's best for the solution.


The Takeaway

Just as in my change-your-oil scenario, my ideal solution is that you should know how to do it once or twice, then rely on more efficient and cost-effective quickie oil change places - with a lot of things you greatly benefit by knowing how to do something while saving money or time to just use that knowledge to decide whom to hire to do your non-core work.