How Does Renting Help You Reduce Expenses?

Introduction: Is Ownership Always the Best Option?

In light of global economic challenges and rising living costs, searching for innovative ways to reduce expenses has become an indispensable necessity. For many years, the culture of "ownership" was dominant in Saudi society, where we buy everything we need, from the smallest tools to the largest devices. But have you ever thought about the amount of money "frozen" in your home storage? Or the value of devices you bought and used only twice?

Here comes the concept of saving money by renting as a brilliant solution that aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 in enhancing spending efficiency. Renting is not just an option for those who can't afford to buy, but a smart financial strategy followed by the wealthy and large companies to maintain liquidity and reduce waste. In this guide, we will dive into the world of the sharing economy to discover how renting can change the map of your monthly expenses forever.

The sharing economy has today become a fundamental pillar in advanced economies, based on the principle of maximizing benefit from available resources without the need for permanent ownership. This economic model reduces waste, maximizes benefit, and provides equal opportunities for all segments of society to access products and services that were previously exclusive to certain groups due to their high prices.

Smart advice: Before you press the "buy" button in your favorite store, stop for a moment. Will you need this item forever? Or can [Estajer platform] provide it for you at a small fraction of the cost?

1. Financial Psychology: The Trap of "Unnecessary Buying"

We live in an age of rapid consumption, where advertisements tempt us to own the latest technologies and finest furniture. But financially, many fall into the trap of unnecessary buying, which is purchasing an expensive asset for temporary use.

The Effect of "Cash Freezing"

When you buy an item for 5000 riyals, you're not just spending the money, you're "freezing" it. This amount could have been part of an investment, a travel budget, or emergency savings. Renting frees this cash and allows you to pay a small amount for "benefit" only, directly contributing to reducing the total costs of your life.

Psychological Motives Behind Unnecessary Buying

Modern marketing plays on the string of human emotions and desires. The idea of "owning the latest product" gives us a temporary feeling of satisfaction and achievement, but this feeling quickly fades. Psychological studies indicate that happiness associated with buying lasts only a few days, while the financial obligations resulting from it may continue for years.

Moreover, the culture of "social comparison" pushes us to buy to keep up with others. We buy luxury cars, expensive furniture, and advanced electronic devices not because we really need them, but because we want to appear a certain way in front of friends and family. Renting breaks this vicious cycle, as it allows you to access the best products without needing to bear the burden of permanent ownership.

Opportunity Cost

An important economic concept here is "opportunity cost." When you spend 10,000 riyals on buying a device, you lose the opportunity to invest this amount in something else that may give you a financial return. If you invested this amount in an investment fund with an 8% annual return, it would become 14,693 riyals after 5 years. But if you buy an electronic device, its value will decrease to less than 3,000 riyals in the same period.

2. How Is "Saving Money by Renting" Actually Done?

At first glance, buying may seem cheaper in the long run, but the language of numbers says otherwise in many cases. Here's how renting helps you reduce expenses:

A- Eliminating Maintenance and Repair Costs

Any item you own, you're responsible for maintaining. A laptop, coffee machine, or even sports equipment. When renting through [Estajer platform], you get an item that

works efficiently, and in case of natural breakdown, the lessor is usually responsible for repair or replacement. This means "zero" riyals from your budget for maintenance.

Unexpected maintenance costs are one of the biggest financial challenges of possessions. A laptop may need battery replacement for 500 riyals, or screen repair for 800 riyals. A fancy coffee machine requires periodic maintenance and expensive spare parts. Even simple furniture may need repairs after a period of use. All these costs completely disappear when you rent instead of buy.

B- Getting Rid of Storage Burden

Space in your home has "financial value." If you're renting an apartment, you pay for every square meter. Storing items you don't use (like huge camping tents or construction tools) means you're paying rent for "parked things." Renting gives you the item when needed and returns it when finished, saving you space and a more organized home.

Let's calculate it accurately: If your home rent is 30,000 riyals annually for 150 square meters, you pay 200 riyals per square meter annually. If you're storing unused items in 10 square meters space (a small room or warehouse), you're actually paying 2,000 riyals annually to store things you don't use! This amount is enough to rent dozens of items when actually needed.

C- Avoiding "Depreciation"

Electronic devices lose 20-30% of their value as soon as they come out of the box. If you buy a camera for 10,000 riyals and use it 5 times a year, then want to sell it, you'll lose thousands of riyals. Renting protects you from this financial bleeding completely.

The depreciation phenomenon is not limited to electronics only. Cars, furniture, sports equipment, and even luxury clothes lose their value quickly. This decline is a "silent loss" that many don't feel, but it significantly affects their real wealth. When you rent, you only pay for the usage period and don't bear any loss from value depreciation.

D- Flexibility in Upgrading and Updating

An additional advantage of renting is absolute flexibility in updating what you use. In the rapidly evolving world of technology, the device you bought today with the highest specifications may become old after one year. With renting, you can always get the latest models without needing to sell the old one at a loss and buy the new one at full price.

3. Renting as a Tool for Monthly Budget Management

Successful financial management depends on balanced distribution of monthly expenses. Renting gives you "predictability"; you know exactly how much you'll pay for using a specific item for a specific period, without surprise bills or sudden repair costs.

Proactive Financial Planning

When you rely on renting, you can build an accurate and predictable monthly budget. You know in advance how much you'll pay to rent a laptop for a month, furniture for six months, or sports equipment for summer season. This predictability helps you avoid debt, plan for savings, and achieve your financial goals more effectively.

Converting Capital Expenditures to Operational

For companies and startups: Are you setting up your new office? Don't consume your capital buying furniture and office equipment. Use [Estajer platform] to convert your capital expenditures (CapEx) to flexible operational expenses (OpEx) that ensure your business grows quickly.

This transformation has significant accounting and tax benefits. Operational expenses can be fully deducted from revenues in the same fiscal year, while capital expenses are consumed over years. Also, operational flexibility allows companies to expand or reduce according to their needs without bearing losses from selling assets.

4. Sectors That Contribute to Cost Reduction Through Renting

A- Electronics Renting: Keeping Up With Technology Smartly

Technology changes every 6 months. Buying the latest "PlayStation" or "gaming laptop" is very expensive. Through renting, you can enjoy the latest models on weekends or holidays and save thousands of riyals that would have been wasted on a device that will become old next year.

Consumer electronics witness the fastest rates of development and updates in the market. Every year new versions of phones, computers, cameras, and gaming devices are released with better specifications and high prices. Renting allows you to try these modern technologies without long-term commitment and saves you money for more worthwhile investments.

B- Furniture and Home Supplies Renting

Do you have guests for a short period? Or are you living in a temporary apartment? Instead of buying cheap furniture that will be damaged when moving, rent elegant furniture that impresses and saves you buying and transportation costs later.

Rented furniture also solves the problem of frequent relocation. In the age of mobile jobs and temporary contracts, many young people move between cities every two or three years. Moving furniture is expensive and exhausting, and may be damaged during transport. Renting saves you all these troubles and costs.

C- Tools and Equipment

How many "drills," "ladders," or "pressure washing machines" are in our homes that haven't been used for years? These tools are the biggest example of unnecessary buying. Daily renting of these tools is the peak of financial intelligence.

Garden equipment, construction and renovation tools, specialized cleaning devices, all are examples of products we use once or twice a year but store all the time. Buying such equipment means investing hundreds or thousands of riyals in an asset that's idle most of the time, while renting it when needed costs a small fraction of the price.

D- Sports and Entertainment Equipment

Bicycles, diving equipment, advanced camping gear, all are examples of seasonal or recreational products we use for short periods. Buying complete diving equipment may cost 5,000 riyals, but you may only use it once a year. Renting saves you this huge investment and allows you to try various sports and activities without financial burden.

5. Case Study: Renting vs. Buying

Let's take a practical example of saving money by renting:

Purchase Scenario: Buying professional camping equipment (tent, lighting, cooking tools, generator) for 6,000 riyals. You use it twice a year. After 3 years, it may be damaged or rusty. Cost per time = 1000 riyals.

Rental Scenario: Renting the same equipment from [Estajer platform] for 300 riyals per trip.

Result: You saved 5,400 riyals cash in your pocket, saved space in your warehouse, and ensured you always use the newest and best equipment.

Additional Examples from Real Life

Professional Camera Example: An amateur photographer needs a professional camera for special family occasions (about 4 occasions annually). Buying the camera: 15,000 riyals. Renting it 4 times annually: 1,200 riyals. Annual savings: 13,800 riyals in the first year, with continued savings in subsequent years without bearing depreciation or maintenance costs.

Office Equipment Example: A startup needs to equip an office for 10 employees. Cost of buying desks, chairs, screens, and devices: 80,000 riyals. Cost of renting for one year: 24,000 riyals. This saves 56,000 riyals that can be invested in marketing, development, or hiring additional employees.

6. Why Is Estajer Platform Your Partner in Saving?

At Estajer platform, we don't just provide items, but we provide you with a "safe financial environment."

1. Documented Contracts (Nafath): To legally guarantee your rights and the lessor's rights.
2. Financial Guarantee (Wafi): Your money is safe until you receive and inspect the item.
3. Amazing Diversity: From laptops to medical beds, everything is available.
4. Easy Access: One platform gathering thousands of suppliers in Saudi Arabia.

Legal and Financial Security

One of the biggest concerns in individual transactions is the absence of legal protection. Estajer platform provides approved electronic contracts through the national "Nafath" system, ensuring the rights of both parties. Also, the "Wafi" financial guarantee system protects your money until you ensure the condition of the rented product and receive it correctly.

Wide Network of Lessors

The platform gathers thousands of individuals and leasing companies in one place, providing you with diverse options and competitive prices. You can compare offers, read reviews from previous users, and choose what suits you with complete ease.

Conclusion: Your Financial Future Starts With a Rental Decision

The key to saving money by renting lies in changing the mindset. Ownership is not always wealth, and renting is not always need; rather it's intelligence in resource management. By reducing capital costs and avoiding unnecessary buying, you can build a financial surplus that gives you freedom and security.

Real wealth is not measured by what you own, but by the financial liquidity available to you and your ability to make smart financial decisions. Every riyal you save through renting instead of buying is a riyal that can be invested, saved, or used in life experiences that enrich your life in ways that material possessions cannot achieve.

Start today by taking inventory of your items and discover how life can be easier and cheaper when you "rent benefit" instead of "own burden." The world is moving toward the sharing economy and smart consumption, and you are invited to join this positive transformation that benefits you financially and benefits the environment and society as a whole.

Renting is not just an economic alternative, but a modern lifestyle that focuses on experience and flexibility instead of accumulation and rigidity. It frees you from the burden of ownership and gives you freedom of choice and continuous renewal.