Let's Make a Trade

Are you tired of our money hungry society?

Sick of trips to the ATM?

Had it with spend, spend, spending?

Stop using cash and say hello to bartering for services!

No, no this isn't an infomercial. And I'm not going to tell you to round up your old gold (that one cracks me up every time I see it).

But did you know that bartering is making a big comeback? It goes along with my prediction that this big world is slowly reverting back to more simplistic ways. (If you want to hear more of my pontifications, let's have coffee. I don't want to bore everyone, just you.)

A recent article in Boulder's Daily Camera tells the tale of one realtor who barters for all she can from clothing to cars. A close friend of mine barters her gardening and yard work services for plumbing work and computer repairs. Intrigued I've been stalking the barter section of Craig's List. And yes in my usual hesitant chicken style I haven't put myself out there yet. But, I'm researching.

Here are some guides to bartering that I'm forming:

• Know what you want. Be specific such as "I need a mid-century modern side table." I do, anybody have one?
• Know how much it's worth. Don't expect to get things for cheap. Offer a fair trade.
• Know what you have to offer. And know that you do have something to offer. Can you cook? Can you babysit? Can you fix things? Do you have a pickup to lend? Put a value to your services and be specific. Don't leave it open ended or you'll get wacky requests.
• Be professional, but be prepared to haggle. Know your limits and what you are willing to do and be flexible.
• Keep Records. Treat barters like financial transactions. The IRS does care about your bartering. And if you are bartering internationally you've got to know import/export laws.

So go ahead and try trading your services for what you need.

Note to a previous commenter who said, "I met a couple who was trying to furnish their entire house from free stuff on Craigslist." That is awesome! I'd like to see the pictures of their home.

Escapades in Frugality

So last night I was reading about a new wiki, called Fruwiki. Wait you’ve never heard of a wiki? Yes, you have. You know, like Wikipedia. Still don’t know? Click here. Anyway you know how a search on the Internet starts your mind and mouse wondering to all sorts of loosely related topics. That is why they call it the Web. Well, my mind works the same way. I was all set to dive into Fruwiki, the wiki for all things frugal, when I realized it’s not that interesting yet. But what is interesting is my husband’s recent frugal victory. It goes like this…

We need ceiling fans in every bedroom ‘cause it’s sweltering hot at night in the summer. And because I’m cheap and I hate having the windows closed. So I won’t run the air conditioner. Thus, no one sleeps in our house in the summer. Ceiling fans, we hope, will be the answer to our dreams.

We’ve lived in this house for 7 years. Every year we vow to get fans. I decided that this is THE YEAR. So I picked out fans online. Then I found those fans at Costco for cheaper. I thought I was so cool. But, Neil, that’s my guy, did much better. He found similar a fan on eBay for $90 less. Then he contacted the seller to see if there were 4 available and if they’d take less money for them. Yes and Yes. Score! We’re saving $400!

Neil is so awesome at bargaining. I am not, so good thing I have him. Morals of the story: Seek and you shall find. Ask not, want not. And don’t think you’re hot snot.