You’ve got stuff … everywhere. When you’re not using that stuff, your ever-growing collection is just collecting dust.
So why not put your stuff to work for you?
There are specialty companies that offer a specific, built-in customer base who are looking to rent items — items you already own.
Furthermore, most of these companies include insurance coverage and other legal protections or at least offer such protection for a fee. Many of these services rely on smartphone apps.
Consider these possibilities:
Your car
If you don’t use your car much, or if you are going to be out of town for a while, your car could just be sitting there, taking up space. Make your car earn its keep.
Companies that facilitate personal car rentals include Getaround, JustShareIt, and Turo. Motorcycle enthusiasts can use Riders Share.
Your bike
Many larger cities have implemented public bike rental systems through which a vendor makes a fleet of bicycles available for rent using apps and electronic unlocking and locking.
Individual people can also rent out their bicycles using Spinlister and Bzike. Spinlister also lists surfing and snowboarding equipment.
Your RV
Maybe you can only use your RV when the kids are on summer break — but other people like to vacation year-round. Let those people rent your RV through Outdoorsy or RVshare.
Your shed
People always complain about not having enough storage space. Why not help your neighbors out by renting them your shed?
Make sure your shed is empty first — then clean it up, take pictures, and go to sites such as Neighbor, StoreWithMe, and Store at My House.
You can offer your garage, spare room, and parking space, too. Check with your insurance company before you go all out.
Your camera
Professional photographers and videographers regularly rent specialty equipment. ShareGrid and KitSplit, however, let ordinary folks rent out their equipment.
Your tools
Renting out tools can alleviate the guilt and recoup the costs of buying specialty tools for one-time projects. MyShed, LEVELD, and Toolsity specialize in hardware rentals.
Your clothes
Clothing by exclusive designers or for special occasions can be pricey. Sometimes, people splurge on clothes and then wonder what to do with their bulging closets.
Companies such as Tulerie, HUMM., and Wardrobe facilitate clothes and accessories rentals.
Anything, really
Quupe, Zilok, and FatLlama will list anything anybody can think of lending: tents, golf clubs, Dutch ovens, VR headsets, board games, and on and on.
The bottom line
What you do with that added income is up to you. However, if you’re more into saving than spending, deposit the money into an education fund or retirement savings plan.
