The drill that never came back – why we borrow things badly

Statistically, every Czech household owns a drill, which it uses for an average of 12 minutes in its lifetime. So why don't we borrow them more smartly?

The drill as a symbol

The average drill in a Czech household is used for 12 minutes in its entire lifetime. Twelve. Minutes. And yet almost every flat has one. Why? Because when you need it, no one thinks to ask a neighbour. And when you borrow it, no one remembers who has it.

Small-scale sharing economy

Globally, this is called the sharing economy – Airbnb, Uber, BlaBlaCar. But on a small scale, sharing has always happened between neighbours and friends:

• A drill you use once a year.
• A tent you borrow between three families for the season.
• A car seat your aunt needs for the weekend.
• Books, board games, skis, suitcases, a deep fryer.

Instead of all owning it, we can share it. Environmentally, economically, neighbourly.

Why it doesn't work on its own

Because without a record, things get lost. You lend the drill to Pavel, he lends it to Honza “just for a moment”, Honza takes it to his cottage and a year later he claims to have returned it. But he didn't.

How to do it better

1. Take a photo. One photo at handover will save more than you think. 2. Record the loan. To whom, what, when. In Pucheeto, you have a “Thing” record for this. 3. Agree on a return date. Even if it's “by the holidays”, it's better than “sometime”. 4. Set a reminder. Pucheeto will notify you and the other party of the deadline itself, so no one is the annoying one.

Bonus: local community

Your neighbourhood house, apartment building, street or village can function as a small lending library. Just share and remember. Pucheeto will help with the second part. ❤️