Another man's trash may be another man's treasure, but it's also true that things that are perfectly good may simply no longer be needed. That does't mean that others don't need it just as much as you once did. When you have such an item, swap or trade it for something you need now. This kind of transaction can be a lot more satisfying than discarding or donating still-usable stuff and buying more for cash.
For example, you may have more eggs from your free-running hens than your family can use. You like selling eggs for money, because chicken feed costs a lot these days. However, you can also trade those eggs - which command up to four dollars a dozen at farmer's markets - for something you would otherwise shell out cash for.
Maybe you admire a neighbor's perennial borders, full of color from early spring to the end of fall. Think about offering to barter eggs for bulbs, root divisions, or bushes from that garden instead of shopping at the garden center. Use the money you would have spent at the nursery to buy chicken feed.
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.
Swapping and trading are great for those who either don't have a lot of discretionary income or who choose not to use money to get things they want. Those on a strict budget may not allow themselves 'mad money', but they can't go wrong trading surplus or out-grown items for things they haven't budgeted for. Shopping is addictive because it's fun, not just for the things acquired. Bartering gives those strapped for cash a way to join in.
People who live on small incomes, who prefer to get by without a nine-to-five job, or just like the idea of barter rather than money exchange love trading. Canny traders can often get more than retail for items that people want; not everyone knows values well enough to judge correctly. People may not even mind paying a little more to enjoy the down-home atmosphere that goes with face-to-face bargaining.
For example, you may have more eggs from your free-running hens than your family can use. You like selling eggs for money, because chicken feed costs a lot these days. However, you can also trade those eggs - which command up to four dollars a dozen at farmer's markets - for something you would otherwise shell out cash for.
Maybe you admire a neighbor's perennial borders, full of color from early spring to the end of fall. Think about offering to barter eggs for bulbs, root divisions, or bushes from that garden instead of shopping at the garden center. Use the money you would have spent at the nursery to buy chicken feed.
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.
Swapping and trading are great for those who either don't have a lot of discretionary income or who choose not to use money to get things they want. Those on a strict budget may not allow themselves 'mad money', but they can't go wrong trading surplus or out-grown items for things they haven't budgeted for. Shopping is addictive because it's fun, not just for the things acquired. Bartering gives those strapped for cash a way to join in.
People who live on small incomes, who prefer to get by without a nine-to-five job, or just like the idea of barter rather than money exchange love trading. Canny traders can often get more than retail for items that people want; not everyone knows values well enough to judge correctly. People may not even mind paying a little more to enjoy the down-home atmosphere that goes with face-to-face bargaining.
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