8 Unexpected Items You Can Lease For Convenience and Savings

Thanks to the rise of the sharing economy, you can rent almost anything these days. Whether you want to try before you buy or just want to use an item for a few days, leasing is a convenient option. You might be surprised by some of the items you can rent online. Here are some of the unexpected items you can lease for convenience and savings. 

1. Solar Panels

If you’ve always wanted to switch to solar energy, but don’t want to purchase the panels outright, you can try leasing solar panels instead. With solar leasing, you won’t pay anything up front for the installation of the panels. Instead, you’ll make monthly payments on the solar panels. These programs also have a lease-to-own option, which means that the panels will be yours to keep after you pay them off. 

Installing solar panels can help you reduce your impact on the environment, particularly if you live in an area with frequent sunny days. They’ll also help you reduce your monthly electric bills.  You could even make money if you produce more solar energy than you use. 

2. Tools

Purchasing new tools can be expensive, especially if you’re interested in top-of-the-line models. If you need a tool for a DIY project, but don’t want to buy it outright, leasing is a great alternative. There are also leasing programs available for larger commercial and industrial tools, like heavy machinery, construction equipment, or manufacturing equipment, which can be very useful for growing businesses. 

There are many ways to rent tools. Many communities have local tool rental programs, or you can rent from an online tool supplier. If you need basic household tools, you may even be able to find them at your local library.

3. Textbooks

Textbooks are often essential for success in college, but they’re pricey, particularly if you’re on a student budget. Leasing your textbooks will help you keep up in class without breaking the bank. There are many private companies that offer textbook rentals, with Chegg being the most notable. Many colleges also have their own internal textbook rental services. 

In addition to renting physical textbooks, you can also rent e-book versions. E-books are usually more affordable to rent than their physical counterparts. If you’re comfortable reading your textbooks on a computer or tablet, this can help you save even more money. 

4. Artwork

Art leasing allows you to rent original decor pieces without the expensive price tag. There are many reasons why you might want to rent an art piece. This is a common strategy when staging a property, as art can immediately make the space look more attractive. You can also rent an art piece to see how it looks in your space before committing to the final purchase. Many businesses also rent artwork to liven up their offices or use as decor for events. 

5. Cookware

Cookware and dishes are another item that you can lease when you need it. This is particularly helpful if you’re looking to cook on a large scale. For example, you can rent industrial cookware and dish sets to cook at events and pop-ups. 

Renting also allows you to use cookware that you wouldn’t normally have access to. This could be a sous vide machine, pasta maker, or smoker. All of which can help you make more unique and exciting culinary creations. 

6. Camping Gear

Camping is a great way to be active and explore nature, but it can also be very expensive. You’ll need plenty of gear that you wouldn’t typically use in everyday life, such as a heavy-duty tent and backpack, an outdoor sleeping bag, and camping lights. For particularly long and remote trips, you may also need a satellite phone and portable cookware. 

If you don’t camp frequently, you may not want to purchase this gear outright. Leasing can be a better option, as you’ll get the reliability and safety of high-quality camping gear, without the high price point. Just make sure to thoroughly research the leasing terms and conditions before committing to a rental agreement. You don’t want to plan a two week camping trip and only have a tent rented for 10 days.

7. Holiday Decor

If you’re throwing a holiday party, but don’t have seasonal decorations on hand, you can rent them instead. Renting decor is a cost-efficient option for corporate holiday parties and public spaces. By renting, you’ll have access to nicer, more expensive decor items that you wouldn’t have when purchasing them. For example, you can rent an oversized Christmas tree with lights and ornaments. You also won’t have to worry about storing the decor for the rest of the year. 

8. Drones

Drones are small flying objects with a wide variety of potential uses. They are particularly effective for taking stunning aerial photos and videos. Drones are also used in agriculture and environmental science to monitor rural areas. 

Unsurprisingly, these high-tech devices come with a very high price tag. That’s why it’s often best to lease one first before making a commitment. Leasing gives you the opportunity to try the drone out and make sure it’s the right fit for you so you don’t waste your money. There are also lease-to-own programs available for drones, so your monthly payments will count toward the total cost of the device. 

Final Thoughts

Before making any expensive purchase, consider your leasing options. If you only need the item for a specific period of time, leasing is a convenient way to use it without the responsibility of ownership. Leasing is also a way to make expensive items fit comfortably into your monthly budget.