I just changed out four rotors and brakes on my SUV and saved at least $400 if I would have had a shop do it. The whole thing took me a couple hours. But I understand most people don't have the tools or desire to do their own car work. Many people don't have the skill or desire to buy stocks, bonds, track dividends, etc. For us we like to put money in balanced funds and forget about it. I converted a modest 401K to a 10-year deferred annuity 12 years ago after people on this very board told me I was ruining my life by doing so. While some of the annuity earnings were tied to the S&P, I'm sure I could have done better in the market over those 10 years (and did with two other 401Ks). And as Musky says, when we turned on the money the principal diminishes over time. But damn, it sure is nice that money hits the bank every 8th of the month and is inflation protected by the CPI up to 12% a year for the rest of both our lives. For us it has worked nicely as one income stream we don't have to manage or think about.
