How to Barter For a Self Reliant Lifestyle
December 2, 2009 | Posted by DDFD The other day I posted on helping hands (Self Reliance Sometimes Means All Hands on Deck . . .). Today, I am going a step further– Barter.
Self reliance by its very name implies going it alone, but I think cooperation and exchange (barter) has a place in self reliant living. Barter is a non-monetary exchange of value. I am not discussing formal bartering between commercial professionals– that can result in a taxable event. For example, an accountant offering tax prep services to a home improvement contractor in exchange for work at his house is probably a taxable event.
What I am talking about are the non-taxable exchanges between family, friends, and neighbors. This is not a new idea– just a neglected or forgotten one.
When I was a kid, I remember a neighbor with talent for auto repair who helped on almost all auto repair projects in the neighborhood. In return, he received assistance on yard work, painting, and other odd jobs. This is the sort of “bartering” I am thinking of these days.
What can be bartered? I thought I would share just a few ideas:
- Repair or improvement skills– auto, carpentry, electrical, painting, plumbing
- Ride services– kids to school or events, elderly to appointments, trips to the airport
- Food– cooking or grocery runs for the sick or shut-in
- People watching– sitting for kids or companionship for elderly
- Tutoring– educational, art, or musical
- Boarding animals– vacation or regular sitting
So how do you barter? Here is a simple approach:
- Communicate– let people know what you have and what you need
- Commit– a handshake and your word
- Deliver– be sure to come through for people
- Share– talk your fellow barterers up describing the experience to others
Sometimes cash isn’t needed to get things done or as valuable to others as an exchange might be. Always try to identify opportunities to barter– as in all things self reliant, be creative!
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DDFD believes that self reliance and self sufficiency are the roads to individual freedom. He is dedicated to living a quality life through Frugality, personal growth, development, and productivity, and Defensive Entrepreneurship. On weekends, he can be found in front of the BBQ grill.
Categories: barter and trade | 
Tags: barter and trade, self reliance, teamwork | 
1 Comment »
I love the fact that bartering is getting more attention, I think that bartering is a great idea. I have bartered a lot in the past, and these past few months I have gotten more and more into online bartering. There are several really good websites for bartering online, personally I prefer http://barterquest.com since I can barter anything there.