15. Barter and Trade
It is so easy to go the store and find the things we need and want. Unfortunately the expense of everything is rising faster than most incomes! Trading and bartering for items you need or want is something that is potentially helpful and possible. It takes planning. It requires stepping outside you normal routine or comfort zone.
Honestly, I am not an expert at trading or bartering. My main success at barter was the beginning of MidniteSun Siberians. I paid about half price for a Siberian cat. The rest of the cost was made of up of two paintings I did of cats. I love painting. I would love to make a living at it, but that hasn’t happened so far. However, it is something I enjoy doing. Later I traded two large paintings for another cat. I want a Norfolk Terrier male and female so if anyone wants to trade paintings for that please drop me an email! (I’m serious.)
I don’t think barter or trade is something you can just jump into as a way of life. Some people are natural traders. They would probably even swap shoes with a stranger on a bus if they could talk the stranger into it. They just live to trade. They like to trade for something, get the better end of the trade, and sell or trade their item for something even bigger and better. That isn’t really what I am talking about here, although I am not putting down people who do that. That just isn’t what I am talking about here. I am talking about people in your sphere of family, friends, and acquaintances forming simple alliances to help each other out. Advertising real services for trade or barter is also something that would be good providing you actually have to do it.
A very simple start could be telling a close friend or neighbor something like, ‘I will mow your grass twice while you are on vacation using your mower if you will mow my grass twice while I am on vacation using my mower.’ That way no one would have to transport their mower to a different location.
Families with young children can swap baby sitting occasionally.
My husband the mechanic could do a brake job on someone’s car for something in return.
The baker in the group could do some fancy cooking in exchange for an equal amount of time spent cleaning her house or yard. Quilters and other crafters have something to trade. Mostly people will want useful items like a quilt instead of decorative items, but you never know. Whatever you have or whatever you do might be just what someone else wants.
If you are strong enough you could do home remodeling site clean up in exchange for things discarded in the remodeling project. Tear down property that is scheduled to be demolished for the material salvaged. You would only want to do something like that if you have a specific use for the material you salvage. On something like that you would want to be very specific regarding what you are getting, how long you have to get it, and how much of the project clean-up will actually be your responsibility. For this to actually work you would need considerable experience in remodeling. That way you would be able to better estimate the amount of work you are offering for the material you would be getting. This points out that you really can’t offer to do something unless you have the skill to do it.
Are you a web designer? That is a service that can be bartered. Again, you must be very specific regarding what you are offering and what you expect in return.
Remember that if bartering or trading just isn’t working for you, or isn’t in your comfort zone, money is always good. A small side business is a cushion against job loss. A business run from your computer is also something that has potential to move with you from one area to another area without loss of business. Once you have a side business established you have a better platform for bartering. If you are a web designer as a sideline business you have something to barter with any business that needs a web page. Let’s say you need a new couch and there is a private furniture company in your area that has a lousy web page. Or maybe there is someone advertising a barely used couch. Be bold and reach out with a proposal for trade and see what happens. Before I managed to set up the trade for my cat I received a number of rejections. Believe me, the people who ignored me and never responded to my inquiry were far preferable to the ones who told me ‘NO!’ But finally I got a positive answer. I only got one positive reply, but I did get one. She offered half off if I gave her two small paintings. I was able to agree to that. I would have preferred totally free, but it just didn’t work out. Something to keep in mind is that the work I did in getting the two paintings ready to go was a lot of work. Expense was also involved. Painting is not a cheap hobby. I did specify that she would get the paintings un-framed, which saved considerable money for me.
Just figure out something you need or would like to have. Decide what you have to offer in trade. Send some emails to prospective traders. Post your service on places like craigslist.com. Post on local bulletin boards.
Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t work immediately or even soon. Just keep it in mind. Something will turn up at the right time and you will be pleasantly surprised.
Trading work for work is different in that you may be working with the same people on a repeat basis. That is good if they are reliable. As time goes by you would figure out who is trustworthy to do what they say they will do. A top priority for any trader or barterer would be to ALWAYS do exactly what you promise to do. If someone is not faithful to fulfill their end of a bargain then you simply don’t want to work with them again.
I think as you are building up a barter and trade group of allies you would also be extending your network of possible help in times of crisis or disaster.
If you have a specific skill, no matter how odd or rare, or something as simple baby sitting or house cleaning you could advertise on craigslist for free and see what someone offers you as a trade. Or if you have a specific need ask someone to give you what you need in return for what your services. This allows you to get something fairly and honestly without using money. This isn’t for the purpose of tax evasion! This is to make life simpler while living within your budget.
By the way, a simple skill like house cleaning or window washing may be thought of as easy, but it is definitely real work. That is why people would prefer to pay someone to do it! If they can barter for the work then both of you will be twice as happy. No one spends money and both parties get what they want.
Unless you really get hooked on bartering this isn’t supposed to be a full time job or a time consuming hobby. It is supposed to be something that makes your life easier. Take it in stride. If something is very important to you then keep trying to find a solution that involves no money or a lot less money.