Bartering, The “Old Fashioned” way to get what you need!

Having financial issues? Need to think outside the ever shrinking monetary box? Well, if craigslist is any indication of today’s economy, then there are a lot of people in the same boat. I have seen the rise in bartering and for sale ads on the Charlottesville Craigslist over the past year. And not just the trading and sale lists are rising, the number of “Free-to-good-home” ads have increased as well. Now while you might say that with the spring came lots of babies, I’m talking about someone giving away a horse, birds, and other farm animals. The rise in feed, groceries and gas prices are hitting us all and hitting us hard.

People are getting more creative with their finances and bartering is one of the ways people are meeting their needs without digging into their pockets. Barter, is defined as "a trade or exchange of goods or services without using money." My husband and I have practiced bartering for years now. In fact, we traded a pick up truck for some masonry work when we bought our new house 5 years ago. We weren’t strapped for money; it was just the most economical thing to do at the time. We had a truck for sale, and we had a new house that needed windows put into the basement. One of the first people to answer the ad happened to be a mason. I asked if he would be interested in a trade, he agreed and we now have windows in our basement and he has a new work truck. This was a win win situation for both of us.

You might say, “But I have nothing worth trading.” You might be correct, but then again, maybe you’re not in the right frame of mind. We are so use to using money to get everything we need and want, we can’t think of any other way to get it. I bet you have more to trade then you realized. Don’t just think of material things to trade, what about services you could offer? I would love to find someone who would cut my lawn in trade for farm fresh organic chicken eggs. How about providing a budget or check book reconciliation for some fresh home made baked breads or pies. Trade babysitting nights, car washing, a home made dinner or some fresh garden veggies and flowers.

Remember, when bartering, don’t just look at the monetary value of the item or service. Look at the time and effort involved to create a really fair trade. If your neighbor has farm fresh organic eggs that normally cost you $3 - $4 per dozen, it doesn’t seem fair to mow the law for such a small price. But if you consider that you would be mowing your lawn anyway, and it would only take a little more time to finish up their lawn in the process; along with the time and gas money you’d save by not going to the farmer’s market or grocery store to get said eggs, the trade seems to even out more.

Craiglist is a great place to barter services and goods. There are bartering networks if you’d like something more formal. If you’re just starting out, I suggest starting in your neighborhood or with family and friends. Once you get the hang of it and get your mind rapped around the wonderful world of bartering, you can expand your network.

But as in everything, please use due diligence, common sense and be careful! Trade safely and responsibly and enjoy yourself!