Borrow Rather Than Buy

I will admit that I have a problem when it comes to books. Buying books is a splurge I have a hard time giving up. One of my goals is to spend more time at the library and borrow rather than buy. Books aren't the only thing that you can borrow from the library, many have movies and books on tape, too. Some even have music to borrow.

And libraries aren't the only places that allow you to borrow instead of buy. There are Toy Libraries all over the world. What a great idea to not own those toys that your kids are going to outgrow in a few months anyway. Similarly, La Leche League has a maternity clothes library in the UK. Great idea for clothes that you are only going to wear for a matter of months and not years.

The Belmont Clothes library in Australia lends out clothes to people looking for jobs so they don't have to invest in that powersuit at precisely the time they can't really afford it.

Tool Libraries are another great idea for borrow instead of buy. Really, how often do you need to weld something?

With Neighborrow, you can connect with local folks that are willing to loan and share, as well as list the things that you have to lend out. It has a nice community twist to it, plus you can find all kinds of stuff to borrow.

With Bag, Borrow or Steal, you can rent designer goods like handbags, sunglasses and jewelry. I find the price tag a bit steep, but then again, I have never cared much about having the latest Gucci purse.

Borrowed Bling is pretty much as described. You pay a monthly fee and get to borrow jewelry.

Bottomline, living greener is about consuming less. Borrowing is a great way to do that. By sharing resources, we preserve resources.