Cohousing-L Mailing List: co- ownership

[Rob Sandelin (robsan]

Another advantage of cooperative ownership is that a group can buy a 
higher quality item than an individual can, with less cost of ownership 
to the individual.  Case in point, the Sharingwood Chipper/shredder.  
My wife and I wanted one to speed up the cycle of garden waste plus as 
a community with 35 acres of woods we have a lot of storm debries that 
would make nice material.  My wife and I were about to buy a cheaper 
model, discussed it with the community and decided to see what everyone 
would "chip in" (pun intended).  As a group we bought a much higher 
quality machine than I was able to afford.  In that I don't own it 
means nothing to me.

This would apply to washers, etc.  We also own a community truck, 
something everyone has need of every once and awhile but seldom 
actually needs to own.

Some of the "boat people" have bought a small sail boat, the beer folks 
now co own a pretty good stash of beer making gear,... the list of 
things you can buy together is endless.  Each year we budget money for 
capital improvements, funds which are used to purchase plants, benches, 
whatever else we may need.  It works out to about $4 a month per 
household and is a painless way for the community to buy tools.

Rob Sandelin
Sharingwood