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The World of Bartering

By Terri Rimmer

Bartering has been around since way before technology when people used to trade metals for other materials they needed.

How to barter successfully can be an acquired art.

Nowadays bartering has gotten more sophisticated from business bartering to online mom groups where you can find everything from letter writers to resume software.

I learned the craft of bartering from my best friend Stephanie, my sister Cindy, my mom, and others around me who had jumped on the wagon.

I have pet sat for my sister in exchange for her letting me live with her at different times and regularly pet and house sit for Stephanie and she has done the same for me when I’ve been in the hospital. Last year I pet sat for my friend while she was in Colorado and she did the same for me when I went to Florida. I have done laundry for a friend in exchange for him putting gas in my car.

Cindy has donated her time to volunteer groups sometimes in exchange for them helping out her business.

Stephanie has cleaned people’s houses for pay but also in exchange for them doing a favor for her.

I have typed people’s school papers in exchange for using their washer and dryer when I didn’t have money to go to the Laundromat.

A friend of mine worked on my computer in exchange for me giving him some software.

I got a free weekend in a friend of mine’s hotel she managed in exchange for taking care of her place while she was out of town.

A friend of mine stayed with me for a month this summer in exchange for helping put gas in my car and helping out with some toiletries, plus she gave me a little money every week.

One woman barters candles for jewelry, food, and more.

One masseuse got free advertising when she gave free massages to a man’s employees at a party.

One lady bartered with a bill collector to pay off a bill by doing office work for him.

When my husband and I were traveling for his job and living out of motels we once bartered and got the rent reduced in exchange for me cleaning the room daily so the maid didn’t have to.

I know a guy who eats for free at his friend’s restaurant often in exchange for him solving his computer glitches on a regular basis.

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