If you've ever lent something only to lose it forever (A book, a DVD, tools from the garage and so on) then yLend is for you. You can add a loan in seconds: enter name, item and date and the loan is permanently recorded. When the item comes back, delete the entry!
yLend2 is free to download and use, but you're encouraged to
register your copy if you find it useful.
In the interests of harmony with family and neighbours, I suggest you enter any loans AFTER they've borrowed your stuff and departed. Writing down dates and serial numbers in front of them isn't all that polite :-) On the other hand, if you're lending to a hoarder who never returns anything, feel free to make them wait while you enter the details into your computer right in front of them.
yLend is deliberately kept simple, because otherwise you wouldn't bother to add records. It's free to use, so why not give it a try?