That is an awfully short sighted statement, even with respect to frugality. While a single project may not save you money, the experienced gained for the next time certainly may. Evidence suggests that we are entering a time where repairing things to make them last longer is going to be par for the course, so a little up front investment can pay big dividends in the long term. The intangibles can also make it worthwhile; confidence, stress relief, physical activity, to name a few.