I'm not the biggest fan of using service companies. That might sound weird coming from an Angie’s List employee, but I prefer to do things myself.

I’d rather be covered in motor oil or paint or bruises than hire someone to do the work for me. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ll do it well. My fixes might be farces, but at least they’re my farces.

My desire to do things myself can be attributed to a few reasons. First, my dad taught me at an early age the value of self-sufficiency. He never hired contractors. Second, I’m really cheap. So cheap, in fact, that I refused to visit a doctor for two weeks after my finger swelled from a fierce lizard bite (true story). Lastly, I’m always looking for reasons to use personal pronouns — like, “Yes, I changed my oil” and “Yeah, that’s my handiwork.”

I’m kidding about that last one. I’m serious, though, about my aversion — you might call it an allergy — to having others do work for me, particularly ones from my apartment complex. But I know they’re necessary, especially now. The last semester of my undergraduate degree begins today, and the months ahead look packed. I might not have the time — or the will — to change my truck’s oil or to perform my own dental examinations.

So, it looks like I might have to — gulp — hire someone. But at least I can hire the right ones. One of my greatest tools isn’t in my toolbox — it’s being a member of Angie’s List.