Barter, Trade, and Swap: Getting Through the Recession Cheaply

You need something but don't have the money? You've got valuables that you don't want to pawn for less value than it's worth? The community of Bartering/Trading/Swapping is a great way to get through the recession without having to pay out-of-pocket for the things you need.

I recall a story not too long ago about an individual named Kyle MacDonald starting a swap chain with something as small as one red paper clip. He ended up with a House 14 trades later! (Read about it here) Now, not all trades can be successful as that, but you can trade just about anything these days. Swap services (need a handyman or some dentistry work? How about babysitting?) or goods of all sorts (tv, house, toolbox, clothes, whatever you have). It's definitely a great way to get what you need without having to pay (and it's even a form of recycling...yay for GREEN) in these hard times. I found a great article about how to get started the smart way called 7 Keys to Smart Bartering by Emily Brandon at USnews.com. There are some great tips on bartering and swapping, including watching out for taxing on bartered goods.


Here are a few sites online that Deal with Trading/Swapping/Bartering:

BarterBee- uses a point system to "buy" music, movies, and games...I guess you earn points whenever you use the site...FREE membership, you just pay for shipping on your items

BarterBucks- uses "trade dollars" as a currency....you also need a credit card to sign up. I think they have membership fees, but I couldn't find out more. If anyone has joined this community, I would love some feedback...either positive or negative.

BarterQuest- Free membership, just pay for shipping. Has a matching system, or you can browse their categories.

Best House Swap- Free membership...Post your listing on their bulletin board, find a match, and they draw up contracts and everything needed to make the new house YOURS. Premium membership is available for $29.95 for additional benefits.

Online House Trading- Uses a search based matching system to find the house you want. There is a fee of $29.95 to use the service. They do have a 7-day FREE trial in case you'd like to check it out before you buy.

Swap Thing- FREE membership. List your items, search for an item. Any cash transactions, including shipping, are negotiated between swappers, and easily allocated through your PayPal account.

HomeExchange- Featured in the comedy "The Holiday" with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet. Home Exchange is the vacation alternative where people swap houses for a short time. There is a membership fee of $99.95 for a one year unlimited Membership...if you don't make an exchange in that year, they give you a second year FREE.

CouchSurfing- I just had to add this one....much like HomeExchange, instead complete strangers offer their "couch" to other complete strangers to stay for a day or more. It's a great way to go on vacation without having to pay high hotel bills...plus you kind of have a local to show you around town! They have safety features (like verification and references) to make the couch surfing safe for everyone. Best of all, the service is FREE!

If you have any success stories, feedback on any of the above swapping sites, or know of any more great swapping communities, please feel free to leave me a comment or two. ;)

Dumpster Diving: Free And GREEN!

I was browsing blogs today and found a particularly interesting post from Clair @ Mummy Deals about Dumpster Diving. She got some great looking furniture from a neighbor who didn't need them anymore. I thought this sounded like a great tip to post about....and possibly a great discussion.

"Dumpster Diving" doesn't have to be all about jumping into a dirty, grimy dumpster to obtain goods that someone has thrown out. Many people set the bigger furniture items near the dumpster, or next to their personal trash cans near the curb for the Garbage Truck to pick up.

And not everything thrown out is in pieces or filthy either. Many people just don't have the time (or vehicle at that) to take their "junk" to a recycling center or sell at a garage sale, etc. They end up throwing their goods away or placing them near the dumpster or garbage can.

So you might be thinking that "Dumpster Diving" is embarrassing or gross or low...but not necessarily. You are doing several individuals a favor: the previous owner (for getting it off their lawn), the Garbage person (so they have less to haul), and youself (you are getting the item for FREE)! Just try not to actually get in the dumpsters.....THAT part is gross.

I personally have found an end table, 2 tv stands, a desk, a chair (for the desk), a small file cabinet, a small bookcase (that matched one of the tv stands), and a couch! Most of the stuff I got was a little less than perfect (couch needs some steam cleaning and the end table has a small chip out of it) but they are functional and well needed.

I got all my items from around my apartment complex, which explains why some things weren't that great...but there are nicer neighborhoods with people who need to get rid of their stuff.

Places to Check:

*nicer neighborhoods (usually near sidewalk/trash cans...ask first if you are not sure)
*nice apartment complexes (near dumpsters)
*behind stores (be sure to ask first)

Some people also advertise their free good on places like Craigslist and Freecycle for easier removal and to make sure if someone actually wants it. Check my sidebar for more Freebie Communities.

Have you ever "Dumpster Dived"? Have you ever gotten anything really good? Got any tips for getting the good stuff? Feel free to leave me a comment. I'd love to hear your stories.

Thrifty Thursday: Earth Day Edition

Being Eco-friendly can, in many ways, keep money in your pocket and save the Earth at the same time. Here are some tips on how to do both:

RECYCLE

Collect Aluminum Cans-You might raise a lot of money in the process. Sell the cans you collect to a local aluminum recycler and use the money for something fun or put away for a rainy day.

Take old cell phones and batteries to your local Home Depot or Best Buy to get store credit for future purchases. Alternatively, you can join Swagbucks and trade-in your cell phones and mp3 players for Swagbucks (redeemable for Gift Cards and other really kool stuff).

REDUCE

Turn Off Your Lights- Open your curtains, use organic candles, or just learn to walk in the dark. No seriously....Having babies have helped me adapt to walking around in the dark due to the many midnight "potty-time" sessions. I now can do without the kitchen light when JUST getting something from the fridge (it has a light all to itself).

Open Windows- Use your AC less by opening windows on cool and windy days. Even Phoenix, AZ has a few of those, which makes it bearable to have the AC off and doors/windows open.

Grow a Garden- Even if it's a small one, you can save money AND be eco-friendly by growing a few veggies or herbs. Join VeggieTrader and trade your goods with other local gardeners and you may not have to buy produce again!

REUSE

Don't buy paper for a while- You get it everyday in the mail, on your front door, on your car, etc....people give you free paper when they advertise. And if you print something out and mess up, use the other side. Carrie over at Money Saving Methods has some great ideas on this subject.


I'm sorry for this post being super short, but I am really busy lately ::sobs::. I will elaborate a bit more on this post over the weekend when I find more ideas to save and be eco-friendly.

If you have any great ideas to add to my list, and/or would like me to post a link about your ideas, please leave me a comment. :)

Or you can sign up for Fun, Free Eco-Living Tips thru your email @ Ideal Bite.

HGTV Green Home Sweepstakes

In Honor of Earth Day on April 22, I will be posting all things GREEN and Eco-friendly today and tomorrow. To kick things off, we have the famous HGTV Green Home 2009 Sweepstakes.

You could win the 2009 HGTV Green Home located in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and a new 2009 GMC® Sierra Hybrid.

A grand prize package worth $750,000!

Remember, you can only enter once a day through June 5, 2009.

Fry's Reusable Tote Design Contest: VOTE 4 ME!

Fry's is hosting a contest for Reusable Tote Bag Designs. The winner will recieve a $1,000 gift card and see their bag designs in the stores!

Please hop on over and VOTE 4 ME.

And if you want to join in, Fry's will give a FREE tote to anybody who submits a design. You must have a Fry's card because they load the coupon onto it digitally. Then you just go to any Fry's store, grab a tote, and it should ring up free (don't forget to use the card you loaded the coupon onto).

Go Green with Free Reuseable Totes!

~Free Bag from Mantra Venture Group

~Free Ecofriendly Bag for Businesses!

~3 Free Reuseable bags at ReuseableBagsGiveaway.com, Just pay $4.99 S&H (a $36 value!)


And if you want to buy them in bulk, reusablebags.com is a great site full of stylish and inexpensive bags to keep the Earth Green!

Don't forget to bring them when you DO go shopping (I can't tell you how many times I've done this....bad me!) because many stores like Fry's Marketplace will give you $.05 for every reusable bag you use on EVERY shopping trip! I saved $.30 today, JUST FOR BRINGING MY OWN BAGS! I could have saved more if I had more totes. Being said that, I will always be on the lookout for more Free Tote Bags.

If you know of any other Free Reusable Tote sources, let me know in a comment.