Our September No-Spend Month Challenge inspired me to do a “Don’t Buy It” series. Last week we talked about ways to get things for free so you don’t have to buy them. This time, we’ll focus on borrowing instead of buying.
If you’re considering buying something that will only be used once or occasionally, how about borrowing the item instead? You’ll save money on something you might only use once. You’ll also prevent gathering clutter at your house. Your friend will likely be happy that someone else is getting some use out of his stuff too. You might even end up working on the project together!
Stuff to Borrow
Depending on what you need and the relationships you have with those around you, you could conceivably borrow just about anything under the sun. With some creativity, you could really cut down on your expenses. Here are a few areas where we have commonly lent and borrowed items.
Tools
There are some standard tools that every household should have on hand, but outside of your hammer, screwdriver and drill, lots of tools can be borrowed. We’ve borrowed various saws, garden tillers, a power washer, and surely others that escape me right now. We’ve lent many of the same, either of a different type or after we’ve acquired one of our own later. Where a project requires a tool once, but you may never need it again, borrowing can be a good, frugal option.
Baby Gear
Borrowing baby gear is a great way to save money. Most baby things are just fine if they’re used. Many baby things are only used for a short while, so many people have useful baby things stored away just collecting dust. We’ve borrowed a bassinet, baby swing, clothes and more. We’ve lent clothes, a baby carrier, a breast pump, and more.
Seasonal or Rarely Used Kitchen Items
When I first started canning applesauce in 2008 and for the first several years, I always borrowed the equipment. I borrowed a canner from one friend and an apple saucer. Since then I have acquired my own equipment. Before we got our wheat grinder (as a gift from my inlaws), I used to use theirs. I still borrow my mother-in-law’s awesome dehydrator and various kitchen gadgets.
Tips for Asking to Borrow
I’m sure we have all had at least one lending experience that has left a bad taste in our mouths. I know I have. Bad experiences make us hesitant to lend. If we aren’t comfortable lending things, then asking to borrow things feels hypocritical.
Here are a few tips to help you be a good borrower:
–> Always be sensitive to the possibility that the person may not want to lend something. Make sure they are willing and not feeling obligated. Some people just don’t like to lend, and some won’t lend certain things.
–> Don’t borrow something you wouldn’t be willing to repair or replace if something were to go wrong.
–> Take great care of what you borrow. Keep it clean and well maintained. If there’s something extra you can do, like fill it with gas or clean it up so its better than it was, do it.
–> Return it in a timely manner.
Borrowing instead of buying is great for your space, great for your wallet, and great for the earth. It can also be a great way to grow closer to friends, as long as both of you have a great borrowing experience.
How About You?
- What have you borrowed instead of bought?
- What advice do you have for borrowers or lenders?
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I actually find this quite irritating: when I realize that I will be needing an item fairly consistently in my life, I save up to buy that item. By no means am I wealthy, I would say that I am lower class if anything. And when someone asks to borrow something of mine that they could have clearly bought for themselves, especially if they are going to be needing it in the future, I find this extremely annoying. I did not buy my item to be loaned out in a ‘friend and family co-op’. I bought my item because I knew I would need it. If other people feel that they are going to be needing an item more than just a one-off then they should look into buying one, or as another poster mentioned; community borrowing or swapping groups. I don’t think it’s fair to put the onus of buying that item on a friend or family member and expect that it can be an easy borrowing opportunity for you.
Sorry, but I have to agree with those on here who never or rarely borrow or lend things. My parents in their day and now I and my husband worked very hard and managed our money in such a way that we always buy very nice stuff. We are very particular with our things and have had bad experiences the times we have lent something out. Typically the people who ask to borrow our things are those who may mean well but could not afford to replace the item if it breaks on their watch. And, in some cases, those people earn more money than we do but just manage it so poorly that they can never buy nice things. No offense and I am glad if borrowing works out for some, but I do not like when people ask to borrow my stuff. I feel like they are being moochers and need to work for the things just like we did. If we need to use something expensive one time, like a backhoe or something, we rent it.
Tell them girl!
If you spend more time nurturing relationships just because the individual “has stuff” in my eyes this is using the person. NOT A TRUE FRIEND!
rent-able.com is an online neighborhood sharing network. You can borrow what you need from a neighbor or if you have a garage full of stuff, you can list it and share it. I rented a power washer from my nextdoor neighbor, It was so nice not to have to drive to home depot and he helped me set it up and everything too.
I can understand not wanting to let anyone borrow high ticket items as my husband is like this. The reason he became this way is because of being burned by so many people. Some people just don’t even return things and you end up having to use your gas to try to retrieve them, if possible. I too have been burned this way by letting someone borrow a vehicle. They wrecked the vehicle and I found out later this was an uninsured driver so this was a huge lesson learned. Just be careful what you lend out and be sure you really know the borrower. Just because someone comes to borrow your saw doesn’t mean they know the proper way to use it so it may come back broken. Also, my friend loaned out her pressure washer and the borrower stored it in a shed when it wasn’t being used with some water still in it and freezing temperatures caused it to freeze and burst. Some of these things only the owner of the item may know so please take things like that into consideration when you lend.
Sorry, I do not agree with the borrowing aspect. I’m older and have collected over the years many useful items that have cost me a bit to have. I’m asked by younger individuals ofen in our church to “borrow” my very expensive items: Tractor, canner, truck, and several other high ticket items. In my younger years I thought it was great to help by lending what I had and borrow what I needed. Far too often, what I allowed to be borrowed came back abused, no gas, or broken and nothing said. I on the other hand will return your item full of gas (even if I received it empty) washed, repaired if something needed a little TLC or if I ruined something I always made sure I had the finances to replace it. Too often, what people what to borrow is things they could never afford and thus the lender is left with the bill. I soon came to the realization I was the investor and they were capitalizing and saving off of me! I have resigned myself to a hard and fast rule: A borrower nor a lender be. I do have a few exceptions, I have a handful of friends that have the same mentality as I do, return it better than received and make sure you leave on good terms. These handful of friends WOULD replace my items with new if they ruined them, however one must make sure this conversation takes place as to your commitment of care prior to lending to even trusted friends. Never assume.
We just borrowed my parents chainsaw. It’s just an item that you rarely need, so I hate to buy one. It worked out great because they borrowed our giant suitcase at the same time.
Over the course of two years, we had several women in our church who were pregnant. We ended up making a “maternity box” of clothes that we passed around. It was wonderful not to have to buy expensive maternity clothes!
Can’t agree more. I’ve always wanted a truck, but my dad has one and my brother-in-law has one and they almost seem proud when I ask if I can borrow it. I have a two wheel wheelbarrow and my neighbors love it so it is out of my garage and at neighbors houses all the time. Unless you are using something on a regular basis you shouldn’t own it, borrow or rent, or buy used.
In terms of entertainment, borrowing DVD’s, especially seasons of TV series is great! Some people buy the entire series, so you know you can watch the entire show if you wanted to, and it won’t cost you anything.
I have been so blessed this pregnancy with friends who have offered so many things to borrow. Maternity clothes, baby swings, rock and plays, clothes. And many have given us things they no longer needed. It makes me want to be much more generous with lending and giving.
We actually built our house on the same street as three of our friends for this exact reason. It is almost like communal living while maintaining autonomous households. We have a riding lawn mower, our neighbor has snowblower, someone else has a power washer, etc. it’s amazing. We also will share babysitters if we’re doing the same social event. The babysitter gets paid more but our individual portion ends up being less.