I hate to start everything I write with "in this economy," but what else can I do? So... "In this economy" we need to use all the tactics we can find to get the things we need without spending money. One way to do this is to barter.
Now, you don't need a bad economy to barter, but you may find others more willing to make deals if they're short on cash or if you have something they would like to have.
What that "something" is, can be a skill or technique or experience, or it can be food or "durable goods," or a service. That's just a way of saying that everything can be traded, given the right circumstances and people.
I have heard of people trading home canned goods for dental work; snow removal for fresh eggs, canning jars for hand knitted socks. We all have something that's valuable to someone else. Babysitting, dog walking, window washing, teaching skills and on and on... someone, somewhere needs it.
It may take a few tries to get started, but don't let that discourage you. I won't repeat everything I've written about it elsewhere, but I'll direct you to a couple of articles:
Wanna Trade? Barter Yourself to Financial Freedom
Seniors: Instead of Money, Barter
In the Community at Dollar Stretcher, there are a few threads about bartering that may open your eyes to the possibilities:
Bartering for Goods and Services
Gone to Bartering Yet?
If you haven't done it, there's no better time than right now.
I have just finished reading your blog about "What people did to survive in the old days in bad times. I thought tha you would enjoy hearing that I got some river rocks or large stones and we ut them on our wood stove in the evening to get warm and them we put them on our flanel sheets at night and you are so right. That is the best feeling to get in and toast you cold toes. My sister thinks that I am crazy but you and I both know our toes are just fine!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely article.
Jeanne
NC
Maybe some day your sister will come around to our way of thinking. Happy toe toasting! :)
ReplyDelete