Is Barter Really Dead?

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There is something about the idea of trading goods and services that just fascinates me. So many folks struggle because they have no money, but don't think about trying to barter their goods or services to get what they want. Money doesn't have to be in the middle of every transaction, although our society and economy would have you think so. Money is simply an item of exchange. In different parts of the world, and in our history, trading goods was the norm. There was no money. In some places, there still isn't, to any degree. But what would happen if you or I found ourselves really broke, and were desperate to get some food or other needed items? Wouldn't we be willing to work for them without being paid money? Or perhaps we have items that wouldn't sell for much, but would be worth something in a trade, that we wanted more, or that would sell for something. This could be anything at all. Think: yard sale items. I would like to see more trading done. I really would. In my town, they have a fresh market on certain days. And they have a clothing swap. You bring in your nice used clothes, and swap them for something else you find. No money exchanged, I don't think, unless there is a token fee for the service. I haven't tried it, but I love the idea. I visit people in their homes as part of my job, and I see them surrounded by "things." Books, music, collections, ornaments, furniture and appliances. These same people say they can't afford to pay someone to come and help them while they recover. But I'll wager that if they offered them their curio cupboard, or a few items of unused furniture, you could get many hours of help in exchange. Vehicles are another item of trade. I spoke to a woman the other day who gave her car away to a family who needed one, but she could not afford to pay for help until she gets well. Offering housing (a spare bedroom and bath) to someone in exchange for housekeeping or babysitting are other ideas. Virtually anything that has value to someone can be traded. And there are folks out there who are probably experts at trading "up," collecting things that have more value than what they traded for them. I think about all the people I see fishing around here. Who might be glad to trade them fresh fish for some kind of favor, like pet sitting, or whatever. Value is in the eyes of the beholder. And if I were hungry, had no food or money, you can bet that I would go hustle the grocery stores in my area in exchange for property cleanup, window washing, or whatever they needed. It might not be the answer to everything, but it can help when money is very tight.