Posts tagged sustainability
How Much Could We Save?
Feb 23rd
I find it funny, ironic even, that I hear so much on the radio (I don’t have cable) about this Government or that politician whining about how in debt the City/Province/State/Country is in, and how there will be cuts to this, that and the other thing; I have even heard about politicians accepting *GASP* a pay freeze (And in some rare instances, a pay CUT). I hear from nurses about how they are already short staffed and overworked, yet there are hiring freezes and more cuts coming to health care. I hear about schools closing down and students being shuttled to already overcrowded facilities, and then the shocker… there will be more cuts to education.
BorrowMe for Book Clubs
Feb 19th
I was working away the other day and I began looking around our living room for some inspiration, when my eyes fell upon our book-shelf. I forgot about what I was doing and stared at all the books lining the shelf from top to bottom, purchased, read and filed. Now they sit there, collecting dust, their stories yearning for another mind to absorb their fantasy, fiction and reality. They seemed so lonely, so unappreciated, so… dusty.
5 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint and Your Spending
Feb 11th
With the recent economic downturn, people are trying to find ways to save money. Without realizing it, many of the things they are doing to reduce costs are also helping to reduce their carbon footprint. Whether you are a believer in Global Warming or not, you have to agree that the less pollution being spewed into our atmosphere is good for all of us (Especially if you live in LA!). Here are a few things you can do to reduce your own costs and carbon footprint.
BorrowMe for Freecycle Users
Feb 8th
The ideals behind the Freecycle Network are noble and geared towards helping the planet. They have thousands of groups with millions of members across the globe, but they have been facing the loss of members and groups left right and center (Most notably in the UK where Freegle has sprung up in the upheaval). Many have accused Deron Beal of trying to stifle the community, and others compare his opposition to change to Craig Newmark of Craigslist. Most agree though, the biggest issue with Freecycle is option.
Success Story #42 – Pickup Truck
Feb 3rd
We have all been there. We’re forced to move, or need to pick up a large item, but we just can’t pack it into the Kia no matter which way we bend, push or fold. Most people call a friend who has a truck and get it dealt with Tout de suite (Look at me using fancy french words!), but what about those poor souls who don’t have somebody on speed dial? You guessed it, BorrowMe.com!
BorrowMe for Condo/Apartment Complexes
Jan 21st
We nod slightly as we pass in the halls, wave a quick acknowledgment from across the lobby or parking lot, but that’s the extent of interaction most people have with their neighbors. One definition for neighbor is “a person who shows kindliness or helpfulness toward his or her fellow humans“, yet we seem to have reservations about talking to our neighbors, let alone borrowing a cup of sugar or an egg like we would have years ago. These days, it’s more like no-way-bors! We are missing out on potential friendships, on building community and feeling like we’re part of something. Not to mention the possibilities for resource sharing!
Cavalier Daily
Oct 29th
Imagine an online network of people so generous and resourceful that they lend and lease their unused belongings to people in their communities who actually need them. It almost sounds too good to be true.
Such a system of borrowing, however, already exists in Charlottesville, and it is growing everyday.
With all the perks of popular Web sites like Craigslist and Amazon, BorrowMe.com allows students, small organizations and other “frugal folks” to enjoy the convenience of borrowing the items they need, without the purchase price, safety concerns and hassles of cross-country shipping.
Created in 2005, BorrowMe began in Calgary, Canada as a way for people to save money on items like textbooks, furniture and cookware.
The idea for the company started with a Spiderman DVD and a close friend, CEO and Founder Sean Young said.
“I was walking to the rental store when I bumped into one of my friends,” he said. “We chatted and I revealed where I was going and why. He later suggested that I just borrow his entire Spiderman DVD collection instead of buying it.”
Everyone appreciates saving a few bucks here and there, Young said. Why not take the idea one step further?
“If I had X-ray vision and could look through all of these peoples’ garages, I’d find all of these piles of stuff that we all collect,” he said. “Who really uses all of the junk in their basement or garage? On average, how much dust does it collect? If everyone could share the things they didn’t use with people they chose, money would be saved and those items would be put to great use. Life would be a whole lot cheaper and everyone would be happy.”…
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The Manitoban
Oct 14th
Website promotes borrowing, lending instead of tossing in trash
Eric Seniuk | Oct 12
With the economy turning sour, people are looking for creative ways to save money. Many have turned to BorrowMe.com, an online forum where people can lend, rent or sell just about anything.
Users that are new to BorrowMe.com must begin by creating an online profile — similar to those found on Facebook or MySpace. Once the profile is created, users can then register items that they wish to lend or sell.
In addition, users can register “wishes” for items that they’re looking to rent or buy. When a wish is matched up with an item that someone else is looking to unload, users can be alerted with emails, text messages or even Facebook notifications.
Each BorrowMe.com user sets a geographic radius in which other site users are considered “neighbours.” For example, if Jane deems anyone living within a 50 km radius of her home to be a “neighbour,” then she would receive alerts when people living within this radius are looking to lend or sell something that she has requested…
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The Daily Orange
Oct 6th
Web site gives used items a second chance
By Rebecca Toback
Posted: 9/30/09, 1:02 AM EST
With the economy in a downward spiral, borrowing instead of buying seems like an ideal plan. BorrowMe.com provides a borrowing and lending service where users can share things ranging from textbooks to digital cameras.
BorrowMe.com founder Sean Young had the idea in 2005, but did not release the site until earlier this year.
“When the economy went south around a year and a half ago I got back together with some people to discuss the project,” Young said. “And a little over a year ago we started working on the site again.”
Now the site has more than 1,000 users and hundreds of opportunities for users to share, anything from textbooks to vacuum cleaners…
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The News Record
Oct 5th
Renting textbooks online an option for students
By Eric Johnson and Ariel Cheung | The News Record
Published: Sunday, September 27, 2009
In the everlasting search to save a buck or two, more students are turning to the Internet to order textbooks.
Now, not only can books be purchased on Web sites like Amazon.com or the University of Cincinnati Bookstore’s site, but they can also be rented or exchanged.
Rental sites like Swaptree.com and BorrowMe.com let users borrow everything from textbooks to DVDs. BorrowMe.com also offers swaps for furniture and game consoles.
Other sites are created specifically with students in mind. Web sites like Chegg.com and Campusbookrentals.com both offer rentable textbooks at a discounted price.
Most rental sites offer textbooks for nearly half the price of a retail store and give students the option to rent their books for varying periods of time.
“I guess if there are no hidden fees, it would be worth it,” said Emily Schwieterman, a third-year education student. “It seems pretty cheap and efficient.”
One negative aspect of the rental sites is being able to find the textbooks required for classes in a somewhat shallow pool. Long delivery time can also be a problem….
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