The ultimate guide to resource-sharing for anyone who's interested in creating less waste, saving money and living a more sustainable lifestyle.

From housing and childcare to cars and household tools, many people are motivated to share resources but don't know how - or where - to start.

Who can benefit from sharing?

• Busy parents looking for help with meals or pet care
• Retirees who are looking to share needed services
• Anyone who wishes to purchase property but can't afford a single-family home
• Those who wish to work fewer hours, but need to reduce living expenses
• Professionals who work in the field of community economic development
• Low-income residents or those who require — or desire — a purchase that they cannot single-handedly afford

And, not least of all, people who are concerned about the environment and wish to find ways to make their lifestyles more sustainable. In fact, statistics tell us that many people belong to this group and that there is enormous interest in the reduction of waste and consumption with fewer tons of solid waste hitting U.S. landfills and greater numbers of people recycling and composting, with 62% of yard waste composted, and a 40% increase in container and packaging recycling in 2007.

About The Authors

Doskow is a practicing attorney and mediator who has worked with families in the Bay Area for more than 15 years. She is the author of Nolo's Essential Guide to Divorce and the editor of many Nolo titles including Divorce Without Court: A Guide to Mediation and Collaborative Divorce and the bestselling Neighbor Law: Fences, Trees Boundaries & Noise. She specializes in family law, including adoption, parentage issues, domestic partnership formation and dissolution, and divorce. She is a graduate of the Boalt Hall School of Law at the University of California at Berkeley.

Attorney Janelle Orsi runs a solo law practice specializing in non-profit, small business, and real estate law, focused on helping people to share resources, build community, and live more sustainably.