As far as doing auto repairs, I mostly just perform the routine maintenance on my own cars. I do my own oil changes, fuel filters, air filters, cabin filters, tire rotations, winter tire changeovers, battery installations, brakes pads and rotors, coolant flushes, brake fluid flushes, spark plugs, transmission flushes and general detailing.

I wouldn't feel comfortable working on the inside of an engine or transmission, and doing a timing belt job is a bit too risky for me, but I'm up for lots of other basic repairs.

Rock Auto has been a fine source of quality parts at great prices. Shopping at Rock Auto has helped me keep down the costs of ownership on my cars.

Buying good parts at great prices and doing the work myself not only keeps down the cost of maintenance, it helps to avoid costly repairs.

Also, I get a great deal of enjoyment out of working on my cars, so money spent on parts is, I guess, part of my entertainment budget.