Borrow Before You Buy
Ever bought something for a job or project, used it once, and never touched it again? Before you spend money on something you may rarely use, see if you can borrow it.
Tools, specialty kitchen equipment, party supplies, and camping gear are just a few things you might be able to borrow from a friend, neighbor, family member, or local tool lending library.
If you need a tool that costs $40 and can borrow it instead, that's $40 you can keep for something else.
Your Savings Grace Assignment:
Think of one thing you need but don't use often. Before buying it, ask someone if you can borrow it.
Why pay for something you might only use once?
Have you borrowed instead of buying? Tell us your story by commenting below.
Wonderland
I might be making this up, but I swear I think I grew up with the saying, “A borrower nor a lender be” I think it was from my maternal grandmother.
Evangel
True. My mother always said that if you were going to loan money, don't plan on getting it paid back, and that loans between family members could be especially troubling if the borrower was unable or unwilling to pay it back.
Evangel
I used to spend lots of money on shop tools or outdoor landscaping equipment. But then my friend, Ken, would say, "You don't need to pay for a new one. I'll bring you mine." Then he'd show up with his weeder, or chain saw, or chop saw, or power drill and tell me to keep it, often helping me get the job done, too. It's been a win/win for both of us. By donating his older model to me, he was saving me money, but it also gave him a good excuse to go out and buy himself a newer model with all the latest features and benefits.