Bartering is a Highly Useful Skill
Did you barter as a child?
Bartering is simple – you just trade something of equal value for something else.
Of course money is much more convenient, but bartering is fun once you get used to the idea.
Bartering is a rather old-fashioned concept that is becoming more popular again.
While you may not be swapping a jug of milk from Nellie the cow for a sack of feed any more, similar trades are taking place on a more modern scale.
Many people started to use bartering in Greece after the financial problems in that country, for example.
Perhaps you too swapped sports cards and stickers at school, using bartering.
You don’t always need cash to get what you need in this world.
Many people feel that the current frenzy of governments printing money is unsustainable, and may result in changing economic conditions around the world.
It’s hard to imagine a world without money and credit cards, but suppose it happens?
Wouldn’t it be good to be able to use bartering to your advantage?
Suppose you wanted something but couldn’t afford it. What skills do you have that other people find of value?
Everyone can do something!
From baby-sitting, reading to someone, cleaning, basic garden help and dog walking, to computer programming, house design, interior decorating, building, carpentry, heath care, and more.
For example, I can’t fix a plumbing problem to save my life, but I can offer practical suggestions to reduce carbon footprint, save money and live greener in return for someone fixing a troublesome leak for me.
We all have something to offer.
And many bartering transactions can be sealed online, making it even easier.
Gumtree, an international “classified ad” type of web service, carries adverts such as “your carpentry skills for my counselling sessions”.
If you want to learn French, find a French-speaker who wants to learn English on SharedTalk.
Bartering is cool!
There are some skills which are useful to master if you want to do well at bartering and not get ripped off.
You can learn what you need to know in the book entitled “The Art of Barter: How to Trade for Almost Anything
The main skills you need are:
- How to tell if a good or service is “tradable” in today’s society.
- How to initiate a trade – and with whom.
- Determining what is a fair exchange of goods or services, so that you are not swindled (this part can be tricky!).
- Once the details have been hammered out, you’ll need to seal the deal.
One of the things I like about this book is that the authors talk about the social implications of bartering – I’d always thought solely of the transaction itself.
But don’t just take my word for it – here are some other books (and a board game) on bartering:
If you are worried about financial problems or climate change leading to shortages (or just want to hold on your money), bartering skills could help you to survive in a world where the things we take for granted may be in short supply.
See the comment from Lois below for another advantage of bartering. Plus, it could also be a great way to expand your social circle!
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Quite possibly my fav thing to do. My husband set up a website for my easthetician and I got a organic facial. In collage, I’d house and dog sit in return for a quiet home and access to their food! And now as a mom, I watch my sisters kids and she takes my husband to work while his broken bone heals! Bartering is a win-win!
I have returned to bartering as well. But one thing I think you missed is that bartering can bring neighbors and a community closer. If the economy should collapse it will be those who know each other and have learned to rely on the help/bartering exchanges that will adjust the best. Those communities/neighborhoods will also experience less crime.
You’re absolutely right Lois, helping and bartering does indeed bring a community closer and it reduces crime because we all keep an eye out for each other, thanks so much for adding that important point!