Money, Time, and Peace of Mind

Let me describe a first world problem to you all. Mostly it's a problem with my brain. I tend to not spend money when I should spend money.

You see, my puppy dog was escaping our unfenced yard and so we sought a solution: an invisible electric fence. To get one installed was out of the question for some reason because I'm cheap, I guess.

Of course, though, I can spend hours of my time scouring the internet and amazon for a good deal on electric fence sets, and spend even more time seeking out the heavier duty wire needed so it actually works well. I have no problem whatsoever wasting time on the internet researching this stuff.

And I actually fool myself into thinking that it will be fun to install this system.

It is not much fun installing this system.

I knew I didn't want to take a shovel and dig a little trench along the length of nearly an acre. So, I planned on renting a piece of equipment to help me. I figured it would be about 50 bucks to rent a trencher or edger or the actual tool the professionals use to install the wire. And after going to Home Depot, Menards, and Farm & Fleet (none of them rent that stuff) I finally found a place in downtown St. Charles...and they were open for another 30 minutes. Only, they wanted to charge me 115 bucks because they are closed on Sunday and I'd be renting the thing for a day and half instead of the normal 4 hours. Well, I thought about it and then decided, "Nah, I don't need that machine. I've got muscles and a shovel."

Well, after about 60 yards of digging, I decided that the wire really doesn't need to be put in the ground this weekend after all. Perhaps I can wait for the machine rental. This is after I ruined my chainsaw chain attempting an idea that I knew wasn't a good one, but hey, a chainsaw chain is only 20 bucks and I could probably use a new one, so why not try to dig a few inch deep trench with a chainsaw?

I am just frustrated because I created this sense of urgency within myself that I had to get this electric fence in the ground as soon as possible. Yet, I refused to pay the money to rent the equipment to get it done.

And I have all this other stuff to do. I can't be spending hours and hours digging a freaking trench with my spade. Perhaps in another life, but now, I gots me too much other things to do.

My time actually has value too. And with all the time and emotional effort expanded on this stupid fence...well, I should have just paid the professionals to do it.

And next time when I am in a similar situation. Will I pay someone to do things I think I can do myself? 

Probably not.