by Delishie Hill

Created on: October 13, 2008   Last Updated: October 20, 2008

Since the beginning of time, bartering has been the basis for all trade and commerce. With the development of governments, money became the foundation of trading and commerce instead of goods and services. With today's economy, bartering is on the rise. The most simple way to start bartering is to figure out what you have that someone else might find valuable and propose a trade for something the other person has that you need or want.

Most of us barter on a very shallow level all the time. We do carpools and swap childcare. We bake or cook meals and share with others. Most of us do these things to be "neighborly" but it is all a type of bartering. The older lady who can't tend to her lawn anymore may have some of the men in the community take care of it for her. She, in tern, bakes pies and cakes for them, the likes of which you will never find in the grocery store!

The office assistant who can type quickly might be able to trade those skills and services to have a mechanic do the tune-up on her car that's been giving her problems. The accountant who does everyone's books might be able to trade that service to have the lawn service take care of his yard. The great part of all of this is you can trade items you already have or skills you already possess to get the items and services that you need.

To get started, make a list of your talents and skills, things you do well and enjoy doing. Then take inventory of the extra things you have in your home that you no longer need or want. Once you have done this, think about the things you need or want. If you children have out grown their swing set, maybe it's time to get rid of it. Maybe the flowerbed you would like to have put in can be "paid for" though giving the swing set to someone who would be willing to do the work. Post a note at the super market or in the community bulletin and see if anyone is interested.

Someone else may have something you would like to have that you can't afford to buy, but you never know if that person is willing to barter unless you ask. Know what you want and know what you are offering for it before you approach the other person. Even the most difficult business person is willing to barter if he feels he is getting a good deal.

Anyone who has ever shopped at a yard sale, thrift shop, or outlet might be more open to bartering, but most everyone has bought something second-hand at least once in life, even if it was a used car. Don't be shy about what you want and what you are able to do to obtain it!

Learn more about this author, Delishie Hill.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.