what do/have you bartered?

[caedmyn]

We're looking to do as much bartering as possible to stretch DH's income. So far we've arranged for DH to do some work and work off part of the midwife fee for my upcoming homebirth, and there's a possibility that he'll be able to do some work for a local farm to earn credit for meat there. Oh, and he did some work on a friend's roof for free and now has some credit toward having the friend do auto repairs when we need them. I've tried to find a massage therapist who is willing to trade for childcare or housecleaning, but no luck so far. I'm not sure what else I can offer, besides maybe home cooking (I'm a pretty good cook and baker) or custom sewing although I'm probably only an intermediate level seamstress.

Anyhow, I guess I'm basically looking for ideas on what to offer as barter, and what types of businesses/services/etc to approach with bartering suggestions.

[ediesmom]

i feel really lucky to have a local nfp that is a 'clearinghous' of people willing to barter

its called 'time dollar network' and its hundreds of people on a list stating what they are willing to barter. when you need something you look on the list, call the person and pay them a 'time dollar' or two for their service. you have an 'account' which is pretty loose so you can make it up later if you overspend.

i did a haircut in my garden last evening for a time dollar. i usually spend mine on alternative healthcare or someone to help with heavy garden work. i have helped with mailings, event planning, babysitting.....

there are networks all over the world, actually......maybe google it if you are interested in maybe starting one in your area.

there is no way i could afford massage, but i get it through time dollars. and acupunture.

[IntuitiveJamie]

Here you go!
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ight=bartering

[Belleweather]

Do you have a local timebank, or hours program? We haven't done much bartering yet (although now that I am officially licensed in my field, I should start...) but that's the way most barter transactions are done in our area.

[Ruthiegirl]

Childcare is all I have bartered and that was more of a swap. I love the idea of bartering.

[Norasmomma]

We live in an area where it is pretty common to swap/barter within the community. My DH is an electrician and I am a hairstylist/Sahm, we have gotten lots of things by swapping.

I get a massage about every 6 weeks my friend is a LMP, so I cut/color her hair I get a 2 hour massage. It's a time-trade.

DH has had a few trades that he's done, one was getting to use a small excavator in trade for fixing some wiring. He'll be trading with the same guy for some concrete work.

Gotta go, LO is crying....

[FeelingBlessed]

I was very excited that this past weekend we stayed in a wonderful cabin ($200/night) and got passes for a theme park ($70) - all free in exchange for some freelance writing (which I will also most likely be paid for by the publication).

Kim