Tag Archives: bartering

Kids Can Barter Too

“You mean I can trade chocolate cake for Lego Friends?” my daughter asked following our conversation about the benefits of bartering. “If you can find a Lego-loving chocoholic who’s willing to part with some of her sets, then you’re in business.” Little did I know that my response would turn my 8-year-old into the next Kyle MacDonald. Cash is tight for my third grader, but the kid makes up for her empty wallet by coming up with some solid bartering bargain chips. Or, in her case, cake. Bartering is not just for adults; rather, kids can get in on the … Continue reading →

Benefits of Bartering

My 8-year-old cries poor like the Pentagon before commencing a $10 billion nuclear weapon upgrade. Granted, she doesn’t get a regular allowance, but with grandparents like these, she wants for very little. Actually, she wants a lot, but as the only granddaughter, she typically gets it all, which is why I don’t give her an allowance. This, of course, has led to many heated discussions on money, spending habits and budgeting.  However, thanks to a recently covered Social Studies unit on our country’s earliest settlers, we’ve added a new topic to our financial discussions:  bartering. Bartering is the exchange of … Continue reading →

Get It Free When You Barter

Bartering is a wonderful method that can really save you money and allow you to afford goods and services that might otherwise not be available to you. When you barter, you can help your family and help someone else at the same time. Here is some things you should know that will help get you started. First, look around at what you might need in a new light. Instead of figuring out how to save up for it or do it yourself, think about how you can barter or trade for it. Do you need job coaching advice, babysitting, your … Continue reading →

Home Bartering

If you have a home, then you have a valuable asset, even if it is worth less now than what you might have originally paid for it. Now is a great time to use that home of yours to barter for things that you may want or need. You can barter your home in exchange for home improvement services. If you have some extra space, you might be able to barter a room in exchange for professional improvements to your home. Craigslist is full of professional carpenters, electricians, landscapers and contractors who would be willing to offer their services in … Continue reading →

Volunteering to Save Money

Posted on by

When you cannot afford something, sometimes you can replace the cash with your time or skills. Many organizations would be happy to allow you to work for them in exchange for their product or service. It almost takes us back to the old bartering systems of long ago. Is there a big concert or theater production coming to town that you would love to go to, but the tickets are too expensive? Contact the promoters and see if you can work the event in exchange for the price of admission. In addition to saving you money, sometimes event volunteers also … Continue reading →

Bartering for Time

Sometimes as parents, we have to barter with our kids in order to get what we want. This is especially true if we have young kids who demand a lot of our time and attention. Being a writer, I don’t work traditional hours. I am often waiting on callbacks that come after 3:00 when Tyler is home or on the weekend. Deadlines loom and if bills are to be paid, well, I have to meet them. What I have found useful is to trade off with Tyler. If I really need to get something done I will tell him that … Continue reading →

Getting a Good Deal Locally by Bartering with Friends

I’m always on the lookout for a good deal. Always. This includes when visiting with friends, or at the various clubs, meetings, and activities my children attend. All of these people are potential bartering partners. It can take pushing aside your shyness or natural privacy instinct to get bartering going, but it’s well worth it! We have an informal group that looks out for each other. Nothing in writing, no rules like the barter exchanges that are businesses. Instead we are friends who realize that everyone has something to offer. One of my friends sells honey as a side business. … Continue reading →

The Basics of Bartering

Bartering is a great way to conserve your resources and afford things you might not normally fit into your budget. You can get all sorts of things through bartering. In this blog, I’ll tell you what bartering is and give you some ideas on what can be bartered. My father is the king of bartering. He lives in a working class neighborhood in New York City and has grown up bartering. If there is anything we need, from a carburetor to curtains, from a parking space to a fancy dinner, chances are he can get it in a day or … Continue reading →