77 People Asked The Internet To Help Fix Something, And The Results Were Surprising

It’s no secret that the number one reason people try to fix something themselves is to save money. Calling a professional for a basic plumbing leak can cost anywhere between $150 and $800 in the US.

In a 2026 survey by Today’s Homeowner, 82% of US homeowners said at least one area of the home needs maintenance, and 59% are putting off repairs because they can’t afford them.

Also, with the rising cost of living, more people are trying to repair broken items instead of replacing them with a new purchase.

Every time someone decides to fix a broken item, the planet also gets to celebrate a little win. It helps reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and shrinks our carbon footprint.

According to official data, repairable goods waste in the US — such as electronics, appliances, and furniture — contributes millions of tons to landfills annually.

In Europe, it creates 35 million tons of waste and over 260 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

To combat the throwaway culture, lawmakers in the European Union have introduced new Right-to-Repair regulations. They aim to make spare parts more affordable and repairs easier, as well as extend the lifespan of everyday products.

“At the most basic level, we want to fix our relationship with the products we buy. This means regaining the confidence to repair products when they break and reconnecting with the ‘why’ this should be a priority,” says Ugo Vallauri, co-founder of The Restart Project in the UK.

“We can all extend the lifespans of the products we own and appreciate the environmental impact of the materials involved in production.”

Saving money and helping the planet are great perks, but DIY fixes offer an even bigger reward. Research shows that fixing something with your own hands boosts your mood, builds confidence, and lifts your mental well-being.

Taking a wrench to a leaky garden hose or supergluing a broken mug handle triggers your brain’s natural reward system. That sudden hit of dopamine turns a potential headache into a proud victory.

Fixing things is also a form of active meditation. When you’re busy glued to your phone or TV, your mind constantly wanders. But when you’re forced to focus on replacing a broken seal or sanding down a rough edge, your brain shifts into total concentration.

Studies have found that this kind of immersive focus lowers stress hormones and leaves you feeling surprisingly calm.

The mental perks of fixing things also last a lifetime.

A study by the Mayo Clinic found that people who regularly did hands-on crafts like woodworking, sewing, and manual repairs were 45% less likely to develop memory loss as they aged.

“Our team found that persons who performed these activities at least one to two times per week had less cognitive decline than those who engaged in the same activities only two to three times per month or less,” says Yonas Geda, M.D., psychiatrist and behavioral neurologist at Mayo Clinic’s Arizona campus.