Of Lending and Borrowing

I have mentioned several times how much better of an idea it is to borrow a seldom-needed item than it is to purchase a new item for yourself. This weekend I am particularly proud of this concept due to who I am "borrowing" from in this go-around.

Next weekend I am scheduled to go on a float trip with one of my "man vs wild" friends. Since we will be floating down the river, it dawned on me that I would need shoes that I could get wet but that would still function for traction when needed. Since I am trying not to buy un-necessary items, it seemed absolutely silly to me to spend money on a pair of river crafty footwear when at the very least I have an old pair of running shoes that could be called upon in a pinch. However as I was in the valley with my family this weekend, it dawned on me to ask one of my siblings if they had river shoes I could borrow. Sure enough, there was a pair that my eldest nephew had outgrown and that will fit my feet perfectly!

I also had multiple black out moments with my cell phone this weekend and upon taking it to my provider in the valley, discovered that my phone may potentially be nearing its death bed. Since I am two months away from being able to use discounts for a new phone, I would have to purchase a new phone at full price (the cheapest of which was $170). As I am staunchly opposed to the idea that my current phone has only lasted me for a year and a half (and shouldn't we be making things to last LONGER?!) I balked at the idea of buying a "cheap" phone to fill the gap until the two months are up and I could utilize the discounts to buy a phone I would actually desire. Thus I was SO surprised and pleased when my eldest nephew offered me up either one of his two tracfones in an attempt to switch out my sim cards and use one of his phones in the interim. Here is my nephew in the midst of his teen years of self-indulgence gratefully offering me an object that he holds most dear. What an absolute proud moment indeed!

Now the sim card switching technology didn't work, but thus far whatever the sales lady did when she fiddled with my current phone has led to no more black outs so maybe it will be able to hold out for a while now. I am just so pleased that the idea of borrowing is actually endorsed and working AND that it has been most pleasantly endorsed by my nephew. There's hope for this next generation-woo hoo!