Feeling squeezed?

When chef Jill Houk caters small parties, she hauls the cooking equipment and food in her hatchback. But twice-monthly, larger gigs call for a roomier vehicle. So she rents an SUV or van from her local Enterprise office, which delivers the vehicle. "I've done the math, and it costs less to do this than to buy a big vehicle that would cost me upkeep, insurance and gas," says Houk. Traditionally used by vacationers, rentals are being called on closer to home, saving folks money, time and the hassle of owning vehicles they need only occasionally.