It's not easy to keep up with the latest in fashion under normal conditions, and it gets even tougher when money is tight. But more and more, companies are making it possible to rent the items you want, whether it's for just one big night out or an entire month.

A couple of the biggies: Avelle (www.avelle.com) and From Bags to Riches (www.frombagstoriches.com), which rent designer handbags, and Borrowed Bling (www.borrowedbling.com), which of course focuses on jewelry. Most of these sites have a range of membership options that allow you to rent at a discount, or you can rent as a guest for full price.

Before you sign up, a few things to think about: How often are you going to rent items? Are you renting something that you'll use a lot, in which case, would buying it actually be more economical? Is insurance included if the item is lost or damaged? Sometimes it is, but often it's not. The last thing you need is a big bill when you're trying to cut back.