Ok now you have a problem with the electrical wiring in your house, you're on a tight budget and decide to try to fix it your self, safety must be your utmost concern. Before you do anything else go to the circuit breaker box and pull the MAIN breaker thus cutting all power from your house before you begin any electrical work.

The next thing you must do now is get some light, especially if it is night. You can't properly fix something if you can't see it. Also it would be nice if you have already identified the problem, whether it's a short, or a bad ground,or a burnt plug receptacle.If you have not identified the problem DO IT NOW. For example if every time you plug something into a wall outlet it wont work unless you plug something into another outlet, then you have a ground problem, If when you plug something in you feel this tingle followed by a YEEOWW!! and the smell of singed hair, you probably have a short,If you go to plug something in and find the holes in the outlet are melted together then you have a burnt receptical. To fix a bad ground you need a screwdriver and a little courage. first take the cover off the breaker box and inspect it for any lose or burnt wiring, shake the grounds make sure there all tight if everything is all right there, replace the cover and move on. Next lets remove the outlet cover over the effected plug, you do this by removing the screw in the center. Look at the wiring inside th outlet tighten all the wires by turning the locking screws to the right as far as possible. If any of the screws are stripped than you need to replace the outlet by removing the screws on bottom and top, removing wires , reverse procedure to install. this should fix your problem, If it don't than swallow your pride , get out your checkbook and calla good ELECTRICIAN.

To fix a short I would advise you to call the electrician before doing any kind of work your self. If you liked the jolt you got the last time and you try to fix it your self your going to love the jolt you'll get the next time.

To fix a burnt reclpticle simply replace it with a new one, rember though the old one got burned somehow either by a short faulty cord or a mischievious individual with a lighter. If not the latter one, the problem will probably return until you find the root to it.

Stay shock free.