What do we know about trade? Trading of goods for other goods, trading of skills for other skills or services without money. Is it possible to live in a world without money? Do you remember when you were younger and had no money to speak of, and the only currency you had were the things you owned like toys, books, cards etc. And do you also remeber trading your cards or marbles with your friends when you were younger. Then, when you got a bit older, you traded perfume, your computer/math skills, or your cleaning skills for an item or a favour, it was always a fair trade according to your negotiations. Eventually, growing up and getting a job meant that money came into the equation, and even though some exchanges seemed unfair (like that $500 back scratcher you got that was non-negotiable) it is the way the system works.
However, you may be surprised to discover that there are people out there who are keeping the tradition, of trading skills or goods for other goods or services, alive! Indeed, you may have heard of this guy who mastered the art of bartering. His barter began with a mobile phone and ended with a Porsche. Or have you heard about this man who bartered his way from a paperclip to a house?!
It's amazing what you can do with bartering, no money required, just a good positive approach and a friendly disposition to 'come what may'. But don't let me go on about it, check out these barter ads found in Yakaz. Here you can find anything from bartering a car for a skill or service, and it's all a matter of communication - you want it, someone else has it, it's that simple.
So take stock of your life, think about what you have that you don't need or use, but that someone else can. How about that old playstation you have in the attic, or the latest weightloss book you use as a paperweight or even that treadmill that sits lonely in your garage, covered in spider webs and waiting for your return. These items you can evaluate yourself and knowing their worth, which means you can barter fairly, according to how fair you think the trade is. Then all you need to do is think about what you really want, like a new paint job in your bedroom, or a new haircut or even a new exercise machine. But maybe you have a skill you'd like to barter for a new computer? I would say even your skill as a batman impersenator would come in handy one day...but for now maybe stick to the dog whisperer skill you perfected in college, using your friends as experiments.
And here's another side of bartering, this German lady has decided to give up all her possesions and money to show the world that we don't need money to survive. She earns her food and keep by offering her services like cleaning and cooking. This method has worked for her for more than a decade, and she's happy to continue. Check out the video. Is this a kind of future you can imagine?.
Start out your bartering skills at your local outdoor market, everyone loves a bargain, see how you go, you may end up bartering your way up to a pony or a toaster...a job well done.
