7 Items You Can Rent to save Money ...

Tools are one of the items you can rent to save money. If you're working on a car or making improvements around your house, you may discover that you don't own the tools you need. Rather than go to a home improvement store and spend money for tools you'll probably only use once, ask the store about rental options. Some large chains and smaller home improvement/automotive stores offer rentals and let customers rent tools by the hour or day.

Maybe you want to expand your horizons and participate in a new sporting activity. Unfortunately, the cost of buying equipment can break the bank. However, a lack of funds doesn't have to stop your weekend plans. Visit a sporting gear store and ask about rental options. You can rent anything from skiing equipment to tennis equipment. Some stores even have bike rentals and rentals for football gear and soccer equipment.

Like sporting equipment, you can rent camping equipment if you're planning to spend a few nights under the stars roughing it outdoors. Rent tents for old-schooled camping, or check with a dealer that sells recreational vehicles. They may have campers for rent.

This may sound a bit strange, but you can also rent a dog. Perhaps your children have been begging for a dog, but you're on the fence. You can rent a dog for a few days to see whether it's a good fit for your family. This can provide you and your family with an idea of the amount of work it takes to care for a dog before you commit to a pet.

If you have a love for designer handbags but not the cash flow, you can rent handbags and achieve a designer look without the high-priced tag. There are several sites online that offer rentals by the week or month, such as Bag, Borrow or Steal. Of course, you're required to give the company a credit card number -- this is how they charge for the rental.

The same way men can rent tuxedos for a special event, women can rent party dresses or formal gowns. This is a major perk, especially if you're invited to a special event but don't have the cash to spend on a new dress. Similar to renting a designer bag, you can rent a dress or gown for a flat fee for up to 4 days. Websites include Renttherunway.com and Luxurylending.com

If you're planning to cremate a relative but you want to have a viewing at the funeral, some funeral homes will let you rent a casket for the services. It's a cost-saving option, especially since caskets typically start around $1,200.

If your money isn't right, you don't have to stress about how you'll afford certain items. Nowadays, you can rent just about anything. Your turn, what other items can you rent to save money?