Borrow before you buy

Try things out to make sure they're winners

Few people are in possession of as much money and space as they want. So most of us would prefer to buy and own only those things that we are actually going to use.

Unfortunately, it can be hard to anticipate what those items will be. I got less use out of the high-end stroller I bought for my child who turns 17 this month than I got out of the $20 umbrella stroller I bought for a trip…and then wound up using for several more children. This is true even though the fancy stroller’s reviews were great. Inevitably it is hard to anticipate what items we will use and enjoy if we don’t own them already. And the trial-and-error it takes to find the right items can introduce a lot of expense and clutter into our lives.

Try it out

So how can we acquire more wisely? Simple: aim to borrow before you buy.

Think you want an InstaPot? You’re the last person who doesn’t own one, right? Well, ask to borrow your neighbor’s while she is out of town. If you love it, you can buy your own when she returns. If you don’t, now you know, without winding up with yet another appliance taking space on your counter or in your closet.

Borrowing gear for hobbies you want to try can be wise too, so you can see whether you actually enjoy a hobby and want to commit the time to it before buying all the gear. If your kid wants to try playing an instrument, that is great. But there’s a reason several companies specialize in renting instruments to kids through their school band programs. Instruments are expensive, and it’s hard to know what will take, just as you don’t know whether you’ll be really into diving or rock climbing.

I’d add that trying out a pet might be smart too! I suggested my family try pet-sitting a dog for a week before we got one, but I basically got steamrolled on that one (and to be fair, taking care of our family’s dog is almost never my responsibility).

Share amongst yourselves

There are also plenty of things you can borrow without ever buying your own. Does your neighbor have a power washer? Borrow it twice a year when you need it, and bake him a loaf of bread as a thank-you gift. You can save your money and garage space for other things. Do you go skiing approximately once a decade? Maybe you can borrow old ski pants, goggles, and the like from your friend who skis all the time, and take her out to dinner to say thanks and get skiing tips. People generally like to see their stuff used and like to help out friends, so don’t assume that everything you need occasionally is something you need to own yourself. Borrowing may be a long-term solution.

Of course, for this to work, it’s important that you return things in good condition, and share generously yourself. People are going to be happier to lend you their power washer if they know your ladder is there for the asking. Better yet, don’t wait to be asked. If your friend mentions she’s thinking of buying an air fryer, offer to lend her yours to test it out before she buys her own. Even if you love it, she might not because we are all different. The only way to figure this out is through lived experience….but borrowing means that if it doesn’t pan out, you’re not stuck with a more cluttered house.