How often do you buy you own work equipment/supplies because your employer doesn't provide the proper equipment/supplies?

I am my own employer

My part time chef bought in her food mixer for a few weeks. When I saw what she could do with it, I bought one for the kitchen.

What was it about that food mixer that impressed you so much?

No paid job. I rarely did this though -- was always able to find some kind of pen, say, if I looked around or asked a supervisor. Sometimes the idiots doled 'em out. I think a few times when I needed to take notes on a new job I bought my own writing tablet.

When I worked as a busboy, I remember taking some cleaning rags home to clean myself. Working in software, they always seemed to provide everything I needed. Now, I work for myself and it doesn't seem relevant.

The ease with which it meant she could bake great muffins and cakes!

OK

Its my own business and I am pretty diligent, to be fair we sell duty free cigarettes and Tobacco so there is not much in the way of equipment.....I set up a Medicine cabinet, (doesnt sound like much but its a biggish deal here in Jamaica) anyway I filled it with plasters, Tylenol, panadol pepto-bismol etc etc, I had to stop it as staff and staff from other stores were abusing it, in a few days the cabinet was empty where people would just take handfuls to takehome with etc

I don't have a traditional employer/employee relationship.

Both: 'I don't have a traditional employer/employee relationship' and 'I don't have a paid job.' I am a student, which means that there are proper supples (books) required, but it's not like I'm paid to study. Well, I am, but I'm not employed by the colllege. I just get money for being poor.

They go about 50/50 with books. Well, they did last year (they bought us the plays, we bought the novel and poems, at a subsidised price); I don't think they are this year. I'm not too bothered. I treat things better if I bought them myself (the books we don't have to give back, that is. I treat the borrowed books very well).

We have to study A Handmaid's Tale in English Literature. My high school teacher lent it me to read because she thought I'd like it when I was in Year 11. I hated it. Now I've bought my own copy - I'm planning to burn it when we're finished, as a kind of post irony comment on nothing.

Almost Never

Um um oh gee never ever

I have never done this.

As often as I can for myself. Sometimes it will be provided by SO. It all depends on high high up on the prority list it is, how affordable and if it is giftable, I'll find it wrapped up under the Cristmas tree.

Nah, my employers have always wanted to keep me happy, so I've never had this happen to me.

I am an unemployed moocher.

When I worked as a Mechanic, supplied my own tools but the dealership supplied the special tools needed... otherwise cannot think of any jobs that I had that needed me to provide anything...

Well.... I pay for the electricity to power my PC. I am required to keep it turned on at all times for updates - in case my employer wants to log in remotely.

I don't believe I pay for much else.

I want to score your avatar +