Discovering bartering

I've always loved the idea of bartering, but never found opportunities to do it. In the last couple of weeks I've discovered several such opportunities and I'm loving it!

I'm doing some casual tutoring for a teenage friend. I really enjoy stretching my brain and using all that stored up knowledge from my science, maths and teaching degrees, and because I'm keeping the sessions casual, it doesn't really feel like work. I tutored her a bit last year and her mum paid me for the sessions, but this year, I asked for no cash payment. Instead, her mum (who happens to be one of my best friends) will be doing some other things in return. Today, she baked us a delicious banana bread and later in the week, she is going to fix my iPod for me - something I don't know how to do, and would otherwise cost me quite a lot of money. I don't expect something each week, but get so much more enjoyment out of the payment in goods or services than if it was cash.

We happened across another trade this week, completely by accident. Stu took in some zucchinis and nectarines for his work mates, and one of them sent back, empty jars and egg cartons and has promised to hunt out her unused vacola jars for us too. The excess food isn't a loss for us, but a saving and a treat for her. Getting rid of jars that are unused and taking up space in her home is beneficial for her, while receiving free, useful jars for preserving our crops is wonderful for me!

Next week, I'll be doing some sewing for a dance student's mum who doesn't have the time and expertise to do it herself. She offered to pay me for the job, but I think I will ask if she would like to barter instead - I know she doesn't have a lot of spare money, but as a dairy farmer, she should be able to trade raw milk that I can use in my cheese making.

I have been reading with much interest about 'crop and swap' community gatherings and would love to be involved with one someday. But for now, I'm enjoying trading my goods and services for much appreciated others. I think I will make this my newest challenge, to hunt for opportunities to barter.

Do you barter? What have you traded? Any suggestions?