you know sumptin wicked happened in the 1980's with that "WHATS IN IT
FOR ME??" I have done barter work and when the payback came it was much
needed and APPRECIATED TOO! I also stop and help women broken down on
the side of the road. Just to see someone smile is just about as good as
it gets! pay it forward.

I agree wihtyou totally barbie. I have bartered with friends and fmaily
in the past and will do so inthe future. I just dontn believe that the
"money"is a fair exchange for services anymore. Some of us break our
backs and spirits working in order to be poor and homeless, and others
sit back and give orders and have eveyrhting prepared and delivered to
them. Whats right in that?

Hey Daniel! Your answer is in your question and that is where learning
begins. We both recognize the disparity between the haves and have-nots.
I am assuming most of us here are the latter. Now, do we aspire to
become one of those who have? Or, as in your case, do we desire change?

you sure I dont want to becoe one of hte haves? lol

j/k!!!!


No, i ant change t where everythign ablances out. cause right now I
have to laugh myself sick. When I was offered a position at 9 dolars an
hour 32 hours a week, I thought I was in heaven. The personell manager
looked at me and asked why. I told her, I am currently SURVIVING off of
488 a month cash and 400 a month food stamps. Now you do th emath and
seehwy I was so jubilant at 9 dollars an hour minimum 32 hours a week

I have one word, no two words to the question what happened to the
barter syatem,
Capitalist, and profits.....

Believe it or not, I am in the grips of the exact same situation. I do
furniture refinishing and some remodeling things on the side, but as far
as a job? Here in the northwoods manufacturing used to be king. Those
jobs are all gone overseas. Craftsmen are greeters at WallyWorld,
artisans are taking your order at Wendy's.
I think a difference we have, and bear alluded to this, is even though I
am aware of all these problems I am, and alwys have been, a glass
half-full kind of man.
Something tells me you are too. So know that you are not alone in your
struggles. Even employment agencies don't understand the difference a 9$
an hour job can make.

oops one more word,,,,Taxes..

As I scanned over this thread, it seems to be that the barter system is
actually alive and well. A barter system works best when used within
smaller communities. It was suggested that a group of friends barter.
In my social circles we do a lot of this, but mostly it is considered an
estension of friendship. I have helped many friends in the past and
have lost contact with them. But new friends come and the payback is
most rewarding.

We have a new way to barter now, it's the internet. I feel fortunate to
be in a large social group or pool players (billiards). After many
years we are well acquainted and when one of us needs something, we can
almost always find a bartering angle. That's when you know a social
group is really working.

There are actually several diversity groups that have begun non-profit
and for profit lists by area, of people, what their skills are, how they
can be reached and what they might be looking for in return. Might seem
risky but the for profit groups charge a fee to use thier site and even
run some background checks and make personal contacts and are very
inexpensive. If it cost you $25 to find someone who can help you build
your deck because you have bartered a deal, then it's a fabulous way
back into the barter system.

I already barter. Wish more people did. It certainly would put
realistic prices on things now wouldn't it? LOL Would also be humbling
for some who think what they do it worth more than it really is,
realtors being a perfect example.

How bout credit card companies.

Used to be illegal to charge someone 20% on a loan.

Was called loan sharking.

But you can also negotiate with them. Last time I got the bill for the
yearly fee on one card, I called and told them to cancell it instead, as
I already had another card that didn't charge that fee. All of a
sudden, they dropped it so I wouldn't close the account.