Sometimes the frugal thing to do is so obvious, but it just doesn’t occur to you. Such was the case when I did my frugal fashion video last Thursday. In my quest to build an inexpensive professional wardrobe quickly, I forgot the most frugal solution. Fortunately I was reminded by a good friend.
Ladies, if you have a sister close to you in age, think back to your high school days. If you don’t have a sister, think back to your college dorm days. Do you remember getting dressed for a date and asking your sister or roommate if you could borrow a sweater? Or a dress?
Borrowing things is a great way to make your money stretch. Of course, to really make this work, you have to be willing to lend as well. Building good relationships with your friends and neighbors can save you a lot of money in the long run, as things get shared. Clothes, tools, babysittng, movies…the list of things that can be swapped is endless.
In my case, after watching my video last Thursday, my friend Kileen called me to ask if I wanted to borrow some blouses and jewelry. Kileen knew from experience how hard it is to have to build a professional wardrobe on a budget, so she was quick to jump in with some help. Thanks, Kileen!
I’m happy to say that I took her up on her offer, and my SXSW wardrobe is now complete. And for those of you who watched the video, I found a blazer on clearance for $15. I went $5 over budget, but I don’t care, because I found exactly what I was looking for.
Do you borrow and lend with your friends? What kinds of things?
If you have a frugal idea, write a blog post about it! Be sure to link back to Being Frugal.net, so others can find Tightwad Tuesday! Then sign your name and link in Mister Linky, so others can find your post!
Photo by freeparking.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
One thing that’s great to lend/borrow is children’s holiday outfits. My daughter has some of the most beautiful Christmas dresses given to us by family members but she only ever wears them 2-3 times, so I lend them out the year after she’s grown out of them. It’s awful to have to pay $20 for a dress a 2-year-old will wear just a few times. Thanks!
Nicki at Domestic Cents’s last blog post..Planning For Easter
I love to borrow (and lend, of course) tools. A couple friends of mine and I pledged to help each other out on home improvement projects and lend each other tools when needed. I may not have every tool, but between the three of us we come close!
Dawn’s last blog post..Saving $900 a Month
We have a neighbor who has practically every tool for basic projects. It seems like we borrow something from him almost every week. Often he will even come over himself to help us.
Thanks,
Nate
Nate @ Debt-free Scholar’s last blog post..4 Steps to Passing the CLEP
A picnic is a great way to eat away from home without breaking the budget at an expensive restaurant.
Gennaro’s last blog post..Citing Tourism, Utah Bars Open To Public
I borrow and lend maternity clothes. They are so expensive (and used for a small amount of time). I usually only buy one or two key pieces, and then I use other pieces of clothing from friends. It works out great! :-)
We also “borrow” babysitting from all of our friends at church. It is such a tremendous blessing to know that I have numerous people to count on in a pinch! And of course we reciprocate the favor…… :-)
When I first got out of school and began my first job, I had “graduate school uniforms” (read: jeans and sweaters), but no professional clothing. A friend from my church had just left the work force to take care of her little ones, and she lent me suits, blouses, and scarves till I could replace the items (it took 6-8 months). I was SO grateful! BTW — her husband was horrified that she had offered her clothes to me! He said, “Men might lend a tie for a night, but they’d never let anyone wear their suits!” LOL Thank God women are different!
Borrowing, lending, and mutual cooperation are the ways to go– especially these days!
DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad.com’s last blog post..Affluenza: What is It and Have You Been Inoculated?
Sometimes I’ll borrow a book, DVD or piece of electronics.
Why buy if you’re only going to use something once.
TStrump’s last blog post..Performance Reviews