Submitted by Lew Newmark on Wed, 07/06/2011 - 19:58
What do you do when you’ve been out of work for so long that there seems to be no end in sight? Your self esteem is pretty well shot and you feel like you’re at your wits end? Why not form a group of skilled trades people who offer their services based on a barter system.
With so many Americans out of work with skills going to waste, forming a group of volunteers made up of people including electrical contractors, computer programmers, carpenters, plumbers, and other people who possess similar skill sets would be a great way to get these people working again.
Helping small business give back
Many small businesses across the United States are continuing to just barely tread water, and depending on the specific needs of the business a member of a local volunteer group may be just the ticket to help turn that business around. The business could come to terms with the group to barter for their services, and in return start a small internship program that could re-educate people and provide them with an all new skill set.
The barter garden
A great way to grow food for a community of out of work Americans could be a barter garden. Involve local businesses to donate some funding for the necessary tools and plants and seeds. Those businesses that donated and have members of the volunteer group as barter employees, would share in the vegetable harvest. This is a great idea that not just gets people back to work, but also improves their self esteem, and this is a great way to have a small community that is also self sustaining.
Bartering for the elderly
The elderly in many cases are not as fragile as they may appear. They have skills just like other people in our society, and if they are able to, why not have them become part of a barter system to help other elderly people, and local businesses. Some of the things that they could do may include helping wheelchair bound individuals get to places they need to go with some assistance. Maybe do some light gardening as part of a local neighborhood beautification program. With many baby boomers starting to realize that they may have to work into their seventies, why not take that expertise and put it to good use.
A barter fundraiser
Here is another way for the group to use their collective skills to make a difference for a good cause. A barter auction would be a great way to trade services for cash donations to a cause such as raising funds for a member of the group stricken with cancer or some other affliction. There would have to be a minimum bid for each volunteer providing a skilled service, but again this is a great way to take the skills that each member of this group brings to the collective table so to speak.
A barter system, at best is an ideological based system, but a system that none the less seems to be gaining some popularity. It is practiced in many other countries, and it’s starting to find popularity over the internet. There are websites that are set up as barter services, where people can join, pay a flat fee, and have someone help them barter for services without there being a cash transaction between the barter parties themselves.
Imagine the possibilities that a barter system could bring to bear if it were to be adapted nationwide. It could certainly change the face of the way we all live, work, and do business with one another. A barter system would be a great way for all of America to get back to work, earn a decent living and quite possibly change our whole economic system.
It certainly couldn’t be worse than what America faces right now.
Fresh Idea!
This is a great idea! Bartering is a good way for businesses and even just regular Joes to get out there and use their skills and services. Bartering would be a great way for people to get their feet back on steady ground. Everyone has something they can do that's helpful. Economies were once built on the idea of bartering. So why not go back to our roots?
With the way the economy is looking lately we might be stuck eventually going back to a system of bartering trades and services for goods. While we may be stuck bartering again for everything someday, I like the creative, thoughtful, modern spin you've put on it. A fundraiser! So common and easy, but refreshed with the idea of bartering instead of buying. It could show people that just because we're all running a little lower on cash lately doesn't mean we have to stop doing what we do.
Bartering is a great idea.
Bartering is a great idea. And why shouldnt it be? Not everything has to come down to actually recieving a buck. My company has bartered before for an exchange of services and it works just fine. You just cant be too greedy to see the actual use of it.
I barter all the time
I bartner all the time and it has helped me make it through some tough time. There are things that I have - and no longer need - and I would gladly give them up for things that I need today. When we think of bartering we think of chickens and seeds. But most people barter with giving an old computer away or computer monitor, or dvds for blank cds. These things count too. I had some extra thumb drives and I bartered them for some soap and detergent! No biggie. This is the way to go, especially when things are so tight right now - for everyone!! Uncle Sam doesnt need to be a part of every damn transaction!
Great idea - bartering for more than just survival!
I love this article! Can anyone imagine a world without your cell phone? Or television? Well, before the invention of money, humans often bartered. It is by far still the most commonly interaction we have with individuals today because it is a natural idea. For example, two thousand years ago, if you were a hunter and you needed salt, you would often trade some of your meat for salt, hence, the term "worth your weight in salt." I think this article touches on the notion of generating value in the absence of money today for things that we need. If you have left over wood for example but you need some paint or concrete that your neighbor has in his backyard, then a trade would be natural. Of course, big brother Uncle Sam may frown on this, it is generally a good thing to barter because it often generates lasting partnerships that would stay in place when the recession fades. This sense of trust can evolve into greater business partnerships in the future. In addition, networking and trust building can really empower us. Again, this is a great article. I hope we all consider what we can barter ourselves!