Two years ago, I bought two home-made rain barrels from a local guy for 1/2 the price of new stylish ones. He makes them out of clean industrial drums that no longer serve their original purpose. They're not much to look at, but then again, they are not located in plain view. I won't be able to connect my second rain barrel at this time, because part of our eavestrough was weakened this past winter and collapsed during a spring wind storm. They are ancient and well overdue, so this is definitely a summer must. 