When you have more skills than funds, a fixer-upper can be the perfect solution to your housing dilemmas. Talented home renovators can avoid the costs associated with hiring workers to put in wood floors, replace cabinets, and tear out walls.

My brother and sister-in-law are currently fixing up their farmhouse, and have just laid red oak floors throughout the living space. Last Spring, they raised the ceilings, replaced insulation, and installed a skylight (seen here). They'll be the first to tell you, though, that all of those monetary savings add up to a lot of late nights, busy weekends, and sore muscles.