Bartering

Balboa · **Bartering**

I read the bartering post a few days ago, I'd really like to do something like that.
Especially if I got a PT job, and had a family member watch my daughter. Like, have one day a week that I didn't actually pay for because we did something like that.

But, as much as I'd like to do something like that sometime... I don't know if I can. I don't have a bread maker (as much as I want one), so I couldn't do something like that.
I've thought about making jams for people but... I think that's kind of iffy because if I made it this one way I found... I think I'd use more electricity than I'd like, and I'm trying to conserve energy.
And I don't really have any special skills to speak of. As bad as it sounds, I'd like to stay away from bartering babysitting for babysitting.
I could do something stupid like racking leaves, or shoveling snow if/when it comes... but my husband probably wouldn't let me because he wouldn't want me to hurt myself.

What could I do?? Any ideas would be appreciated, even if nothing comes into effect until later down the road.

momof2boys in il · 10-29-2007, 03:25 PM

How about offering a "helper" service. If someone has a big project like "cleaning out the cabinets and wiping them out", you could help them. Or even clean a room or something as a trade. People always have things that they are wanting done, but it is such a big chore and hard to start. You could be a "handy woman" for cleaning projects.

SAHMto3boys · 10-29-2007, 04:23 PM

Cleaning is a good idea!

I think you should think about the person or people you want to barter with. Is there something they don't like to do, or don't have time to do that you could do for them?

I know that some of my working friends complain about having to come home and spend their weekends doing laundry! I think if I lived closer to them they'd LOVE to be able to drop off a couple of loads and have me do it for them!

Maybe they don't like to cook and you could trade them a frozen meal for the babysitting service! Of course you'd have to figure out the costs, etc, but I don't enjoy cooking! If someone asked me to watch their kid for the afternoon and dropped off a dinner I just had to throw in the oven I'd be thrilled!

Some people don't want to do their grocery shopping - it's hard for me to with the boys! If I wasn't so focused on the deals, etc, I'd probably LOVE to just write up a list, hand someone some cash and have them do the work for me!

Hope these ideas help! Sure got me thinking about what I could start bartering for!

mama-abroad · 10-31-2007, 07:46 AM

I think you'd be surprised at the things you can offer other people. I often barter for math tutoring, since I am a math teacher. However, I have thought about bartering with local immigrant families for basic language lessons / reading /writing - either for their kids or for the women, in return for help around the house. I haven't actually done this yet because I've been too darn busy to offer my time, but I have it in the back of my mind.

The other ideas about household help, dinners, etc., are all great. And I see NO problem in trading babysitting services. Swapping days with the kids so you get some free time to work or regain sanity is totally worth it!

And since you're internet savvy, you could consider trading computer help with someone a little older who perhaps is interested.

Barter doesn't always have to be direct, either. Consider helping someone's kids in return for them helping you, for instance.

In my area there is actually a volunteer network that I would contact if I wanted to find a local immigrant family to trade services with. Check around and see if there is something like that near you.