You're watching TV and you hear the garbage disposal acting up. Better call the repairman. Or maybe the faucet breaks or a toilet backs up. Time to call a plumber? The refrigerator quits, the lights go out and the thermostat isn't working. Time to call in a professional? Not so fast! Often, when minor problems occur, homeowners are quick to spend lots of money needlessly when they could easily correct the problem themselves by picking up a book -- instead of a phone. Today there are hundreds of publications written to help homeowners do simple repairs and undertake routine maintenance themselves. A trip to the bookstore or library could save you hundreds of dollars in emergency service calls. Home centers offer free brochures and fix-it seminars, too. So the next time something breaks or goes out or you hear ker-plunk in the middle of the night, first try reaching for a book instead of a phone. And that's the On The House tip for today.