| With much talk about recession and millions of | | | | or her spouse. Consider thathousehold services are |
| Americans being laid off, it is safe to assume that | | | | valuable too. |
| virtually every U.S. household is looking for ways to | | | | What to consider |
| cut costs. Many of the ways people can save money | | | | The most important thing to consider when thinking |
| involve some degree of personal or collective | | | | about trying to save money by bartering for goods |
| sacrifice. For example, you can easily save two or | | | | and/or services is value. Think honestly and fairly |
| three dollars a day simply by foregoing that morning | | | | about the product or service you are offering as |
| macchiato. This is a common suggestion to people | | | | your trade. Assign a fair value to that "property" and |
| who say they want to save money. In many cases | | | | be fair about what you think it should demand by |
| these types of small personal sacrifices can | | | | way of trade value. Make sure that there is actually |
| contribute to some cost cutting. In other cases, | | | | value in the barter for you. For example, if you need |
| budgets were tight to begin with and even small | | | | to travel far enough for a trade that money for gas |
| luxuries were never indulged in. For individuals and | | | | is more than what buying that dart board would cost, |
| households that were living tighter to begin with, | | | | you should rethink the trade. |
| more creative strategies for saving money may be | | | | Seek out items or services that your family is in need |
| necessary. | | | | of and be willing to offer more to sweeten the deal |
| A creative way for families to save money is to | | | | if it's something you've really been needing. Also |
| barter (i.e. trade) with goods and services to receive | | | | consider that it might take some time to find a good |
| the goods and services needed. In other words, by | | | | barter, and if you don't have 2 or 3 months to |
| trading things you have (or services you provide), | | | | acquire a refrigerator for example, you may be |
| you can receive the things or services you require. | | | | better off just buying a used one. |
| For example, you may have a child's bedroom set | | | | Keep in mind, when you are bartering for items, |
| sitting unused in your garage, doing nothing but taking | | | | there are no guarantees. Unless you are trading for |
| up space. In the meantime, you may be in a pinch for | | | | items with transferrable warranties or the like, you |
| cash to buy your 17-year-old son that surfboard he's | | | | are most likely on your own once the item is in your |
| been wanting. For argument's sake, let's say there's | | | | possession. For items such as winter coats, wall art |
| also a young man in your community that was a big | | | | and other items, this may be fine. If you're looking |
| surfer - until he became a family man. Let's say he | | | | for a washer and dryer or other necessary household |
| has 3 or 4 different sufboards - all top-of-the-line | | | | appliance, you may want to consider this. |
| sitting in his garage, collecting dust. Doing nothing. | | | | How to do it |
| Now imagine that the young man's child is on the | | | | Now that you've bought into the idea of bartering |
| brink of outgrowing her toddler bed, and he finds | | | | for the products and services that you need in order |
| himself in a pinch for cash to buy her a bedroom set. | | | | to save some money, you need to find suitable |
| See what I'm getting at? | | | | partners to barter with. The best way for finding |
| What can be bartered? | | | | these people is simply be reaching out. Make a list of |
| The idea of bartering for items you need deems | | | | all the items and/or services (household, professional |
| virtually any item or service a good candidate for | | | | or otherwise) that you have within your realm to |
| trading. I tend to think first of the most basic | | | | offer. On a separate sheet of paper, make a list of |
| necessities. If you have children of any age you | | | | items that you need (personally, for your family or |
| know how quickly they outgrow clothing, shoes, toys | | | | home). Also make a list of services you might need |
| and everything else. If you set up a bartering system | | | | (someone to prepare your tax return, after-school |
| with other parents with similarly aged children, | | | | child care, lawnmowing, etc.). |
| everybody wins. | | | | Talk with friends and neighbors about starting a |
| Household items such as furniture and appliances can | | | | bartering society. If you can get people to make the |
| also be bartered. Many times property owners find | | | | same two lists you just did and circulate the lists |
| themselves with extra (unneeded) furniture or | | | | among your network of family, friends and neighbors, |
| household appliances when tenants vacate rental | | | | you will likely find that many individuals' and families' |
| properties and fail to remove all their belongings. | | | | needs can be met within your very own community. |
| Many times, the landlords are perfectly willing to | | | | A way of connecting with the community (outside of |
| trade these items for services such as handyman | | | | your network) for bartering purposes is to use online |
| repairs or cleanouts. | | | | classifieds or message boards. You can simply type |
| Luxury items such as fine jewelry, fur coats or other | | | | up your lists (of "offers" and "wants") and post it as |
| high-ticket items can also be traded. Even items of | | | | a proposal to barter. You can also search through |
| special interest, such as bicycles, scooters, specialty | | | | local classifieds, message boards or online |
| sporting equipment or collectors items can be | | | | communities for folks offering barters. |
| bartered if the right network is found. Remember | | | | The bottom line is that bartering with what you have |
| this if an important gift occasion is coming up. In | | | | for what you need can help not only you, but also a |
| many cases it is acceptable to give pre-owned | | | | neighbor to save some money and get what they |
| high-end items as gifts. | | | | need. Reach out into your community to see if some |
| Let's not forget about services. Maybe you need | | | | needs can be met without requiring cash. You will |
| someone to help you back up your computer files, | | | | save money, and you may even make some new |
| and maybe some poor IT guru is in need of a night's | | | | friends. |
| babysitting so he or she can have a night out with his | | | | |