Economy of sharing

Musings inspired by fellow blogger's thoughts and by several recent talks with acquaintances and workmates on when it pays off to own stuff and when not.

Car hire industry has been growing rapidly in Poland and expanding into new niches. All segments of the market, starting from long-term (meaning 3Y-5Y) leases, through mid-term (~1Y), short-term (a fortnight or so) to car sharing paid per minute, are growing. Cost-effectiveness of such solutions depends on a car user's needs. I use a car usually three or four times a week around town plus I take between five and ten longer (>100 kilometres) trips in a year and even if counting in all car maintenance costs I am below the break-even point, the convenience of having a car next to my door and pleasure of driving a well looked-after vehicle outweigh all drawbacks this liability (a car is more a liability than an asset I believe) has. But consider somebody who want to enjoy a ride a convertible car a few times a year. Such zealots often buy their dreamt-up vehicles and park their them in garages to drive them every third Sunday in non-winter season. Here probably the passion beats cost-effectiveness, but if you have a whim to indulge, renting a car looms as a good solution.

DIY tools found in every house or garage are yet another example. As I believe a simple set of tools which may come in handy unexpectedly (screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, wrenches) are indispensable in every household, devices, whose use is less frequent and more predictable could be borrowed for hours or days when needed (e.g. driller). Same with gardening tools - a lawnmower is something you use every several times over the warm season, same about rakes or spade, but more expensive and heavier tools such as verticulator (used to air the grass once a year) are more practical to be borrowed.

Other examples of stuff to be rather borrowed than purchased are those used sporadically. Those which spring to my mind instantly are:
- outfits used occasionally: a tailcoat if you happen wear it once a year, a wedding dress, or party dresses which women as a matter of principle wear no more than once,
- kitchen machinery plugged in once in a blue moon,
- sport equipment, especially if you take up a new sport discipline and do not know whether you would it would take your fancy, or if you use it once a year, but maintenance costs need to be borne anyway.

An advantage of borrowing rather than buying is not just saving money. It also saves spaces and declutters your basements, cellars, garages, or dwellings. Less space to store stuff sound appealing.

Generally speaking, the so-called break-even point in terms of convenience / practicability and economics is when you use something a few times a year.

Buying on one's own and borrowing are not the only options. Alternatives to consider are: 
- collective purchases of infrequently needed stuff with your friends or neighbours (here the problem is who keeps it),
- resale of stuff needed for some period of time (children's clothes, shoes and other accessories),
- exchange of clothes - good for females who want to reshuffle the content of their wardrobes without spending money.

Some time ago I was skeptical towards the economy of sharing while today I discern more and more upsides of it. Possessing is not always the best option, it is just one of many and whether it adds up or takes away of your freedom depends on life circumstances.