Even though God miraculously provides for us, and I am in awe at how He does that, there are times when we need something and there is no money. So how do you function when your paycheck runs out long before the end of the month? with decreasing pay and increasing bills, it is getting harder to make ends meet. Well, we need to remeber some of the good ole methods of trade. We live in a farm community where neighbors still act like neighbors, it is the most amazing place. and we have neighbors that sometimes could use our services and we could use what they have. so we barter. In our case it is often just neighborly trading, we cut our neighbors hay field for a percentage of the hay. But there are all kinds of ways you can barter, maybe you bake bread and your friend cuts hair, so trade loaves of bread for haircuts. Or like my daughter was thinking the other day, maybe get fruit from your neighbors tree, pick enough to bake yourself a pie and them too. The possibilities are endless. Maybe you sew and your friend takes pictures, or maybe your cousin does auto repair and your hubby does plumbing. think of what your talents are and consider bartering. I can design and host websites, especially blogs like this one. Anybody want to trade something? Do you have more ideas on bartering? How did this Frugal Friday post help you?
Kerri says
My husband has been helping our young cousin with car repairs, and in return, she babysits for us. Next time, she wants me to help her decorate a cake for her friend. This is good for us, because we don’t let just anyone babysit for us…but we do feel comfortable with her.
One year, I bartered with my daughter’s dance teacher to sew some costumes. Usually they can order costumes cheaper than they can buy the material and have it sewn, but this teacher was pretty creative and needed things that were not in the catalogs. My husband also did some work helping them on a stage crew. This paid for my daughter’s dance classes for two years!
Suzanne says
I love bartering! My dad is an electrician and we bartered with the orthodontist . I got braces and he got his new office wired. My dad ended up still making money on the job. He’s also bartered scuba lessons for carpet installation. I’ve done some clothing alterations for meals, too.
Suzannes last blog post..Frugal Friday–Saving on cell phones
Dana says
I make little girl hair accessories (along with a few other things) for craft fairs and a good friend makes goat milk soap from her homestead. We trade bows for soap all the time. Works out well for both of us! We’ve also bartered sewing lesson for produce from their farm. Too bad more people can’t/won’t do things like this!
Dana
Danas last blog post..Adoration