by Richard Roberts

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

Bring back bartering?

What an excellent idea! Today the value of our dollar is shrinking, money is being lost at the stock market almost daily, and fuel prices are out of control. Bartering or the trading of goods or services between two or more people is an excellent way to overcome some of the economic woes which we are faced with. The economy as it is today makes the value of bartering quite obvious. Anybody can use this powerful tool and work out a deal with another individual that will benefit both parties quite nicely, and with web sites such as www.craigslist.com, this system can easily be put into use by everyone. This web site has a section specifically for bartering. May of the ads placed will look something like this: I need a Fender electric guitar, you need? or I have a Fender electric guitar, will trade for? Best of all craigslist.com offers a place for the bartering community to list their ads at no cost to either party!

This system of trade also has advantages for the parties involved. First it helps to lessen the need for money. Second, it helps by reducing or even eliminating the taxes that would have to be paid if they were to spend cash on an item. Obviously taxes will still have to be paid for items such as vehicles, but if you exchange a service or other goods for that car or truck, you can put any price tag you wish on your goods. For example if some remodeling work is done in exchange for a vehicle, the amount of taxes to be paid would be based on the value of the work which you preform for the other individual. The cash price of the car might be one thousand dollars, but the sale price based on the services provided could be entered as five hundred dollars. This method will effectively eliminate half of the sales tax that is owed for the vehicle. On the other hand, if a servce is traded for another service or goods that could be bought in a store, sales taxes will be completely eliminated!

People often used the bartering method in the 1800's as a means of aquiring their needs for every-day living. It once again became an important way of life during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. If the economy contines to worsen as it seems it might, many people will be able to benefit from this valuable tool!

With the use of the Internet and the imagination, people everywhere can save money by simply trading items they have for items which they need.

Learn more about this author, Richard Roberts.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.