There's an old saying that relate's one man's trash to another man's treasure. This is the underlying truth of bartering. An item you may have needed in the past but now have no use for may be exactly what a neighbor is looking for. When you swap or trade it, you get something concrete in return. So what if it's another person's trash? Obviously they don't know a treasure when they see one. This kind of transaction is much better than getting boring old cash.
For instance, fresh home-raised eggs are a valuable commodity. Especially if they are allowed free range, hens may produce more eggs than your family needs at certain times of the year. Selling eggs for cash can help pay for the feed that laying hens require, but this 'hen-fruit' can also be used for barter. A dozen free-range eggs are worth up to four dollars a dozen at farmer's markets everywhere.
To take this example further: you may have a neighbor with a garden full of perennials, the showplace of the neighborhood. Instead of going to the garden center and buying potted plants or bulbs, knock on the neighbor's door and see if it might be possible to barter a dozen fresh eggs for a few iris roots, a volunteer foxglove, or half an overgrown clump of daffodils. The neighbor may suggest other plants you would love to take home, as well as offering planting advice.
You may get other benefits, too - like free planting advice or a better acquaintance with your neighbor. Once word gets out, other neighbors might be willing to trade garden produce, fruit from their trees, or unwanted items from their garages for your fresh eggs. Pretty soon, the whole community may be into swapping and bartering.
You may be able to find an established 'swap meet' in your area. People come to these informal gatherings to trade everything from cars and trucks to homemade crafts, garden produce, and yes, fresh eggs. The fun here is never knowing what you may find. People also trade services. You may be able to offer that perfectly good dishwasher your wife changed out because of the color in exchange for a set of new snow tires.
Local classified ad magazines, many of which will publish an ad for free, often have entries that say: will trade for (whatever) in good condition. If you have a whatever on hand, you're golden.
Shopping is fun, but those with little ready cash may be shut out of the commercial marketplace. However, almost everyone has more things than they can use. Kids grow up and move away, or people downsize after retirement, and suddenly the attic, closets, and garage are bulging. Sure, you can have a yard sale, but bartering is more challenging and probably will net you a far greater return.
People who are good at negotiating may like to barter just for the fun of it. They may start with a few dozen eggs to trade and work up to who knows what before the day is over. This kind of thrill can't be found at the mall or a conventional retail store.
For instance, fresh home-raised eggs are a valuable commodity. Especially if they are allowed free range, hens may produce more eggs than your family needs at certain times of the year. Selling eggs for cash can help pay for the feed that laying hens require, but this 'hen-fruit' can also be used for barter. A dozen free-range eggs are worth up to four dollars a dozen at farmer's markets everywhere.
To take this example further: you may have a neighbor with a garden full of perennials, the showplace of the neighborhood. Instead of going to the garden center and buying potted plants or bulbs, knock on the neighbor's door and see if it might be possible to barter a dozen fresh eggs for a few iris roots, a volunteer foxglove, or half an overgrown clump of daffodils. The neighbor may suggest other plants you would love to take home, as well as offering planting advice.
You may get other benefits, too - like free planting advice or a better acquaintance with your neighbor. Once word gets out, other neighbors might be willing to trade garden produce, fruit from their trees, or unwanted items from their garages for your fresh eggs. Pretty soon, the whole community may be into swapping and bartering.
You may be able to find an established 'swap meet' in your area. People come to these informal gatherings to trade everything from cars and trucks to homemade crafts, garden produce, and yes, fresh eggs. The fun here is never knowing what you may find. People also trade services. You may be able to offer that perfectly good dishwasher your wife changed out because of the color in exchange for a set of new snow tires.
Local classified ad magazines, many of which will publish an ad for free, often have entries that say: will trade for (whatever) in good condition. If you have a whatever on hand, you're golden.
Shopping is fun, but those with little ready cash may be shut out of the commercial marketplace. However, almost everyone has more things than they can use. Kids grow up and move away, or people downsize after retirement, and suddenly the attic, closets, and garage are bulging. Sure, you can have a yard sale, but bartering is more challenging and probably will net you a far greater return.
People who are good at negotiating may like to barter just for the fun of it. They may start with a few dozen eggs to trade and work up to who knows what before the day is over. This kind of thrill can't be found at the mall or a conventional retail store.
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