The "At Home" Bartering System.
By AmberLynn
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
United States
January 29, 2016 6:30am CST
I live with adult relatives. We tend to buy food separately but two of us will buy food for meals. When it comes to snacks, myself and one relative will trade or barter for an item.
I've been getting foods imported to me (not as often as I would like mind you) and one relative has been happily trying things along with me. This relative will pay me if we do not evenly trade.
I bought lunchables about a week ago (some will remember me mentioning this) for my niece who was going to be "snowed" in with us. She did not end up eating them. I ate one last night and this family member came into the kitchen later to grab one for himself.
He paid me for the lunchable. We also take turns paying for delivery meals. It just works and keeps things fair. We keep snacks in our rooms but "common" foods get put in the kitchen. What we trade or barter for is the snacks that we keep in our room.
Does anyone else live with adults do this?
8 people like this
7 responses
@Ladypeace (2028)
• Singapore
30 Jan 16
I do that with my brother, but he acts tough and wants to pay for whatever I eat. After exchanging a few friendly cuss words at each other, I make sure that I pay him.
2 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
30 Jan 16
Funnily enough I don't pay this relative (my uncle). I just trade or will pay one extra time for delivery food .
I'm sorry your brother acts tough like that.
2 people like this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
30 Jan 16
@Ladypeace Your brother acted tough but you sound tougher.
1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Jan 16
There is a reason to the madness. When it comes to the snacks (including candy)? One relative would eat it but doesn't need to (diabetic) so we keep it hidden away so as not to tempt.
2 people like this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
30 Jan 16
@ScribbledAdNauseum That is a good reason to keep it out of their sight.
@infatuatedbby (94909)
• United States
30 Jan 16
That sounds like a system that is working in your household! My boyfriend and I eat together daily (but we don't live with each other). We go grocery shopping together and compromise the foods we will eat and it works out. 
But for him to pick the food, no. We do it together,lol.
But for him to pick the food, no. We do it together,lol. 1 person likes this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
29 Jan 16
I tried to keep all of my snack foods in the kitchen at one time but I found that one relative would either end up having ate it all herself or when visiting relatives come? She'll offer it to them and it will be all gone before I get any at all. I guess in some ways it's selfish reasoning. We also keep snacks in our rooms now as one relative is diabeti and so temptation needs be taken away.
2 people like this
@softbabe44 (5815)
• Vancouver, Washington
30 Jan 16
I like that idea it is fair.
1 person likes this
@petatonicsca (7070)
• Japan
30 Jan 16
That is great. I have only lived with roommates as adults living together and our system was a food and housekeeping "kitty" that we all gave a set amount to. Snacks that only one liked had to be bought outside of that.
1 person likes this
@alchemistrx (2547)
• Philippines
30 Jan 16
My sister and I sometimes do food trading inside the house.It's because i'm not allowed to eat some foods that are allergic to me.
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
30 Jan 16
SO she gives you the food you are allergic too? I am confused.
1 person likes this
