The Lost Art of Bartering

I see you over there, doubting your DIY skills and contemplating how the heck you’re going to make this homestead thing work without wanting to have to build or fix anything. I can tell you, it will be tricky, but - if you can master the art of bartering with someone who is handy, you will be thanking yourself endlessly.

Bartering used to be common practice, but now it’s becoming a lost art. Bartering is finding something of value to offer the person who has something that you find valuable…What’s valuable to them may not be valuable to you… so it takes some communicating to narrow it down. 

Here are a few things can be bartered for labor:

Babysitting services
A nice meal
Use of farm equipment
Medical Procedures (if you’re a doctor etc)
Spa services
Clothing & Boot exchange
An item you make
Frozen or stored food
An extra hand on one of their projects
Homeschooling their child in a particular subject
Beer (not even kidding, lots of hard workers will work for beer!)
Photography
Education for adults 

There are so many ways to get creative with finding ways to use your God given skills and talents to barter with others. Build and develop these skill and relationships sooner rather than later.  If you need help with bartering, work with some of your close friends on trading for services or goods, and get more practice at it. 

If there’s ever a time when money isn’t valuable - bartering alway will be. Try to brainstorm things that you could offer someone as a bartered good. If you can’t find any - then it’s time to start stocking up or sharpening your skillsets!