The True Cost of Things You Only Use Once a Year
Updated: Oct 4
Items you only use once a year usually cost far more than their price tag suggests. Once you factor in cost per use, storage space, maintenance and the chance they'll break or go missing before next year, many occasional-use items work out to be surprisingly expensive. For things like pressure washers, carpet cleaners and camping gear, borrowing is often the cheaper and simpler option.
We all know the feeling: you need something for one job, so you buy it. It does the job, goes into the cupboard, and next time you need it you can't find the charger. Let's look at what that habit really
costs.
How much unused stuff is sitting in Australian homes?
More than you might think. Research for the 2024 PayPal Garage Sale Trail found the average Australian household holds more than $1,470 worth of unused or unwanted items. Earlier Gumtree research put the average at 23 unused items per household.
What is cost per use, and how do you work it out?
Cost per use is a simple way to see the real value of something you own. The formula is:
Cost per use = purchase price ÷ number of times you use it
Say you buy a $300 pressure washer and use it once a year for five years before its no longer used (lost, thrown out due to relocation, or doesn't work anymore). That's $60 every time you switch it on. Compare that with the alternatives. A heavy-duty high-pressure cleaner from a hire shop costs $69 for 24 hours. Even better borrowing one from a friend on ThingLibrary costs nothing more than a thank-you.
What are the hidden costs of buy rarely-used items?
Storage space
Every item takes up room, and space isn't free. In Australian cities, where housing is expensive and homes are getting smaller, a garage full of rarely used gear is valuable space you're paying for, including renting a storage unit just to hold things they barely touch.
Maintenance and upkeep
Petrol tools need servicing, batteries lose their charge, rubber seals perish and tents go mouldy if they're packed away damp. Things that sit unused for months often need attention before you can use them again.
Depreciation and obsolescence
Electronics and gadgets lose value quickly. By the time you need that item again, it may be outdated, incompatible or simply not working.
The "where did I put it?" cost
Missing parts, lost chargers and forgotten instructions mean some people end up buying a second one rather than hunting for the first.
The environmental cost
Every product takes materials, energy and transport to make, and eventually most end up in landfill. Electronics are a particular problem, as e-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams. The fewer things we buy for one-off jobs, the smaller our footprint.
When does it make sense to buy?
You'll use it often, say monthly or more.
You need it urgently or unpredictably, like a plunger or a first-aid kit.
It's a personal or hygiene item, such as a mouthguard or bike helmet that needs to fit you properly.
No one you know has one and hiring isn't practical.
For everything else, try asking around first on ThingLibrary.
How to cut the cost of occasional-use items
Pause before you buy. Ask yourself how many times you'll realistically use it.
Check your circle first. Friends, family and neighbours often have exactly what you need.
Share what you already own. Your unused items could save someone else a purchase.
Keep a shared list. Knowing who owns what makes borrowing quick and easy. This is exactly what ThingLibrary is built for: see what your friends are happy to lend before you head to the shops.
What should I do with things I rarely use and already have?
If you have items in the house that rarely get used - don't just throw them away! Consider lending them to friends. Lending keeps them useful without losing them for good, and you'll still have the item for when you need it. Our app ThingLibrary makes this easy through an app where you can upload your items, connect with friends, and share household items with each other.