Growing up in the household I did everything was tinkered with or fixed from as early as I can remember.

And because of this I have ALWAYS done the same.

When my fridge shelf broke in half I contacted the replacement parts centre (as recommended by my fridge company) and bought a new shelf, in metal so it would never split again.

When I melted my Food Processor Bowl, I bought a new one.

When I lost my electric knife blade, I contacted the supplier and bought a new one.

And today I serviced my Dyson

I remembered how a few friends of mine replaced their Dyson's due to lack of suction (I'm talking 7 years on). Whereas I'm absolutely certain after fixing mine, they've thrown out a perfectly good machine that just needed a good clean!

So it made me wonder... am I the only freakazoid that hates to throw anything out when you can quite possibly fix it yourself? Or are there others out there that like to tinker as much as I do?

Although it has got me in trouble before... I won't deny it. I remember when we were without an oven for months as I took off the spring loaded door to clean it, and couldn't get it back on... whoops!

I just wonder if this has also lead to our disposable lifestyle?