I Tried to DIY My Water Test. Regret It.

I thought I could save money by testing my tap water myself. The kits looked easy—just dip a strip, match the color, done. But I ended up spending $60 on strips, a TDS meter, and a bunch of glass jars I had to sterilize twice because I kept second-guessing if they were clean enough. The strips gave me colors I couldn’t even find on the chart. The TDS meter blinked out numbers that meant nothing to me. I called the hotline, waited on hold for 40 minutes, and still felt like I was guessing if my water was safe. Now I’m out the cash, still suspicious of every glass I pour, and wishing I’d just paid for a real lab test from the start. DIY doesn’t always mean peace of mind. Sometimes it’s just more stress. #DIYDisaster #HomeBudgetFail #BrokeButCreative #Home