10 replies to this topic

[Green Thumb]

Helping others as well as ourselves made these economizing customs popular nowadays.

Have you done your own share of borrowing, trading, sharing or renting stuffs to prevent from buying? What method have you applied so far and how have you benefited from it?

[Sandra Piddock]

Because we live a fair way from the shops, my neighbours and I have got into the habit of trading with shopping. If I run out of milk, I'll borrow some from next door, then replace it next time I go shopping. And if one of us is going shopping, we always ask the other if they want something, or if they want to go along for the ride. Not only does this save on gas, it also saves us both money, as making fewer visits to the supermarket means we spend less.

[ACSAPA]

I've used online swapping sites to trade my books and DVD's with others who have items I want. It's mutually beneficial, green and economical.

[godarna]

Helping our family with shopping, offering lifts to the market and supermarkt. Thus saving gas and lessen trips to the shops. Saves money and it gives a good feeling to help some one out.
Let the family share in our food, when we have too much and accept food when they offer it to us, Saves electricity and varies your dinners.

[Hardison]

No, I can say that I have. It's hard to get to know my neighbors so it's hard to share or trade. Everyone sticks to themselves. I do rent movies from the local library instead of buying the DVD. I only buy a DVD if I really like it. In fact, I have been borrowing books from the library more often. I used to purchase the latest marketing or my favorite genre of fiction books. Now, I wait a bit and it's usually at the library 4 to 6 weeks after it's released.

[MyDigitalpoint]

Unfortunately my neighbors are not enthusiasts to borrow, trade, share or rent anything, and while having good ideas we could implement, all of them are too absorbed in their own bubble world that it's truly hard convincing them of the advantage that such practices may carry to our community and eventually the environment, because my community was trying to encourage the use of a single car to drive 6 neighbors to their jobs rather than having 6 cars rolling out.

No way, neighbors are not the collaborative kind :(

[steph84]

I often borrow stuff from friend, swap items like books and DVDs online (at sites like swap.com) and rent items I need for parties (like plastic chairs). I share produce from my garden with my family and we even swap veggies too.

[Sugarhill]

The only thing that I could see myself doing is renting a car. I love to drive, but I didn't replace my car after it was totaled. As far as letting someone shop for me, I can't see it. I've seen too many people that don't even know how to pick a pack of bacon and just grab a carton of eggs without looking in, so I'd never trust that to anyone.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

I found these, if anyone is interested in a broader swap.
And they make the point that as kids, we got into swapping/trading at an early age-a twinkie for a apple.
http://www.barterquest.com/
http://www.u-exchange.com/
A few ideas in this article too-
http://www.moneycras.../how-to-barter/

[fancyfingers]

Being a mom of triplets, we had a lot of items, potty seats, cribs, sheets, blankets, lots of toys and especially clothing that we were happy to pass on to other parents, multiples or not, to help them and to keep things from going into the landfill. Most of the clothes I didn't give to other families or donated to charities, I have kept and turned them into quilts.
We have given dishes, pots and pans, furniture to neighbors and nephews and neices starting in their new places. I share many coupons with family and friends to help them stretch their budgets.

[Magic Pixel]

Borrowing, trading, sharing, renting? Hmmm...   Does buying second-hand books count? Other than that I don't think I have done my bit here. (But then, my neighbours are strange mainacs who don't like even the flowers blooming in our garden so forget about trading anything.) One thing though, I don't buy clothes etc. all the time. And between us cousins we tend to gift each other clothes we've used a few times every now and then.