Inherit permissions without buying OS 10.5 Server?

Does anyone know of a work around to the problem of folder permissions not being able to inherit permissions. I need files and folders to inherit the permissions of the parent folder. I know I can do this with the OS X server, but my boss does not want to spend $500 on something that all windows standard OS's will do. Someone said I could set up a cron job to stomp the folders into submission but I don't know how to write a cron job script. I also try'd batchmod program but that didnt work. Also tryed sharepoints freeware program but it crashes on my system, I think it's because it's not meant for OS 10.5. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks