i'm broke. as broke as broke can be.
ok, maybe I'm not that broke. but i'm trying to make a point, so just bear with me...
for centuries people have used what they have in goods or services to get by during rough times, or to sweeten a deal a bit more, so why not use that methodology today?
did you know there are actually barter clubs all over the country? these clubs even hold conventions. yes, people actually set up booths to barter and trade goods and services, just like you would a normal convention, only without any exchange of money!
after hearing about this years ago i decided to utilize this method with my day to day needs.
imagine this...
i start my own business, decide to jump in head first and I'm operating at a loss for the first year. i have some savings but that's meant for crisis mode, we're talking aliens deploy some bomb and my friends and I need to bribe the opposition in order to survive... what do I do to make ends meet till my career takes off and gets me back into the green again?
well lets see. i barter my ass off!
if i have a $10,000 painting, and no buyers for it, but i owe someone $10,000 (which thankfully I don't) i could offer them the painting.
it doesn't mean they have to accept it, but you see my point?
maybe this is better explained with something small. like a haircut...
someone provides a service, they invest their time and their skills. i in turn invest my time, skills and materials into a painting. both have a perceived value, and if the value matches and the interest is there on both sides, then by george we have a winner!
its a fun experience to barter, especially with strangers. they just don't stay strangers for very long after you approach them with a barter option.
here are some things i've been able to barter in the past in exchange for my paintings.
- car repairs at a high end mechanic.
- repaid loans in excess of $3,000.
- lawn care
- haircuts
- dental work
- accommodations while on vacation
- expensive custom silver jewelry
and i'm happy for the barters to be offered in my direction too!
so remember, what you have to offer can be currency. don't discount your goods and services as only sale-able for cash.
it may be uncomfortable or embarrassing to ask at first, yes. but when you know that what you offer is worth something, and your confident in your future, you become a lot less uncomfortable and you'll find that quite a few people are actually interested and happy to do business this way.
who knows, maybe you'll even start your own local barter club! don't sell yourself short, and don't sell your friends, or local business owners short either. they're people too and just as capable of enjoying a good barter as the next person.
cash is not the only currency! (did you know you can pay your babysitter in bitcoin now? just making a point.)
(if you have an offer you'd like to make to me for a barter i'm all ears! I'm happy to consider cars, exercise equipment, vacation accommodations, seasonal rentals, house repairs, landscaping, furniture...really! make me an offer!)