Not Made Of Money

I’m really into DIY projects, so I tackle a lot of things around the house that I wouldn’t have been able to afford if we’d had to pay someone else to do. I’ve painted all of the rooms of our house, installed closet shelves, and even laid a ceramic tile floor. But what if you aren’t handy? Does that mean that you can’t make these types of improvements to your home?

In addition, some things aren’t labor-intensive. Maybe your washing machine is on its last legs. You can’t build a new washer. The thought of hauling your laundry back and forth to the Laundromat isn’t exactly a pleasant thought, though. In any of these instances, bartering could come to your rescue.

Bartering is the exchange of something besides money for goods or services. For instance, you might offer to watch your neighbor’s children in exchange for help raking the leaves in your yard that weekend. Trading talents or goods for another person’s talents or goods dates as far back as history goes. Before money was printed, bartering was a popular way of doing business.

For instance, I’ve put my painting skills to use at a friend’s house. This friend happens to be a gifted photographer. She, in turn, took some incredible pictures of my family for use in our Christmas cards. Neither one of us had to put out any money, but we both got exactly what we needed.

Bartering doesn’t just have to relate to talent and labor, though. The same could apply to items you have lying around the house. My sister is great at this type of exchange. One neighbor needed a pack-and-play for her granddaughter. My sister, on the other hand, needed some soccer gear for her son. The neighbor had her son’s outgrown soccer gear hiding out in the garage; my sister had her little girl’s outgrown pack-and-play in the attic. In a few minutes they were able to arrange a trade that allowed them both to clear out some clutter in the house and end up with something they needed.

Think about what a difference this could make in your family. Bartering would allow you to acquire the things that you need without putting a dent in the family’s budget. I’d be willing to bet that if you presented the idea to your friends they’d think it was a great idea, too. Before you know it, you’ll have an entire bartering network built.

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