The Barter System (Full Version)

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NuevaVida -> The Barter System (10/13/2008 6:52:21 AM)

I just kind of fell into this prtactice, but what a great practice it is.

I'm doing the books for a friend who owns and operates a salon down town. In exchange, I have free services for life - waxing, facials, microderm abrasion (just started that treatment process this past weekend). Both of us are so grateful to the other for "free" services, but really we're just appreciating each other's talents. To me, it's no big deal to do her books. To her, it's no big deal to give me treatments. Both talents come naturally to us so it's a great trade-off. She does trades with her hair stylist and her massage therapist, too.

I do my mom's money - her monthly books, her bills, her investments. I do it simply because she's my mom, but in turn I bring my laundry over when I do it, she takes me to lunch/dinner/whatever, and has helped me out when I needed it.

I babysit my sister's boys and she keeps wanting to pay me but I won't take her money. So she packs up bags of produce from her organic garden, and sends me home with it.

My cousin is a certified massage therapist and I receive free massages for babysitting her youngsters.

Another friend of mine has helped me out financially this past year (I was on disability and then laid off). She does well for herself and doesn't care if/when I pay her back. I stress about it, but she doesn't. To thank her, I clean her apartment from time to time, cook for her, and I'm doing her resume now (she calls me her wife, heh).

Each case is just a friend helping a friend, but add them all up and there's a pretty good bartering system going on.

With the economic times being what they are, I wonder if more people will exchange service for service more often. Is anyone doing this now, or has anyone considered it? What have you been able to exchange? Is it benefitting both parties? Have you considered incorporating more (or beginning to incorporate) exchanging services in the future? Inquiring minds wanna know...

Off to work but will check back this evening.



rexrgisformidoni -> RE: The Barter System (10/13/2008 6:57:42 AM)

I've considered it, but not really knowing anyone in a big town makes it tough.



Dnomyar -> RE: The Barter System (10/13/2008 7:42:38 AM)

rex try posting on craigs list.



rexrgisformidoni -> RE: The Barter System (10/13/2008 7:45:19 AM)

Good idea



pahunkboy -> RE: The Barter System (10/13/2008 7:48:48 AM)

Ild love to join one.



The IRS hates barter.



lauren0221 -> RE: The Barter System (10/13/2008 8:23:27 AM)

I think bartering is great, and very win-win. I used to color my massage therapist's hair for her in exchange for a massage. It was easy for me, and we were both thrilled with the exchange. Bartering feels especially good when it is something I love, like massages, but might not do otherwise.



Vendaval -> RE: The Barter System (10/13/2008 3:16:14 PM)

Great subject, Nueva Vida.
 
I am a big fan of the barter system.  Several people I know locally will trade services of one type or another rather than use money.  One person does housekeeping trading with someone who does gardening, shopping traded for watching youngster, hair cuts and color traded for massage, etc.  One of my roommates traded housecleaning and laundry for rent.
 
A few cities have alternative credits rather than money, Berkeley Bucks are the best known. 




PlayfulOne -> RE: The Barter System (10/13/2008 3:48:52 PM)

Technically both parties are supposed to report the value of the services on a 1099B. 

K



daddysliloneds -> RE: The Barter System (10/13/2008 4:01:08 PM)

i've been actively bartering since the early 80's and while the irs doesn't hate the barter system as another poster suggested, you can damn well bet they'll be investigating your ass if you don't claim it on your returns somewhere down the road!



NuevaVida -> RE: The Barter System (10/13/2008 7:08:09 PM)

Sheesh, color me ignorant but I hadn't even considered that. I figured it's just two friends doing each other a favor.



GreedyTop -> RE: The Barter System (10/13/2008 7:14:25 PM)

*tacklesmooches Lauren* Where've ya been,girly??

I'd love to barter, but frankly I have no idea what I'd be able to do...LOL



rexrgisformidoni -> RE: The Barter System (10/13/2008 7:20:05 PM)

I'd barter my rugged handsomeness. 



tsatske -> RE: The Barter System (10/13/2008 7:24:04 PM)

yes, rex, but once you do that, what will you do, sans your only marketable commodity?
( I really should go perve you first to check it out, but i'm a bit busy tonight...)



rexrgisformidoni -> RE: The Barter System (10/13/2008 7:27:12 PM)

hahahaha....I am good at alot of things besides being awesomely handsome



proudsub -> RE: The Barter System (10/13/2008 11:12:01 PM)

Keep in mind that in most cases you should be paying taxes on the value of  what you received in exchange for services. 



NeedToUseYou -> RE: The Barter System (10/14/2008 3:22:32 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: proudsub

Keep in mind that in most cases you should be paying taxes on the value of  what you received in exchange for services. 


LOL. (truly, I did lol, at that, that is to funny). Pay for an unprovable exchange. LOL. Oh yeah, let's get right on that.



NuevaVida -> RE: The Barter System (10/14/2008 6:11:25 AM)

I'd rather list it as a "charitable contribution" and use it as a write off. [8D]



PlayfulOne -> RE: The Barter System (10/14/2008 6:22:49 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: NeedToUseYou

quote:

ORIGINAL: proudsub

Keep in mind that in most cases you should be paying taxes on the value of  what you received in exchange for services. 


LOL. (truly, I did lol, at that, that is to funny). Pay for an unprovable exchange. LOL. Oh yeah, let's get right on that.



Sure your neighbor brings over their steam cleaning machine and cleans all of your carpets, you paint their garage, you can laugh at the thought of reporting that.  Ask all of the people who got rung up by the IRS in the barter clubs if they are laughing. 

K



lauren0221 -> RE: The Barter System (10/14/2008 7:39:43 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: GreedyTop

*tacklesmooches Lauren* Where've ya been,girly??

I'd love to barter, but frankly I have no idea what I'd be able to do...LOL


*tacklesmooches GT back*

I have been lurking. And you have lots of skills that would be barterable, I am sure.



Termyn8or -> RE: The Barter System (10/14/2008 8:21:25 AM)

If you ever catch me paying tax on something I bartered, shoot me.

Know what else ? The state of Ohio wants you to tattle on yourself for online purchases and pay sales tax. Guess what, I don't even KNOW what their form looks like and the new PC downstairs was sold by someone not in Ohio, sorry, no jurisdiction.

Until the day I die they are going to need a gun to get any money out of me. They do learn.

Ever since the last time I got arrested and when offered a phone call I declined saying "There is nobody to call", they won't arrest me.

All of this is based on money, and they own all the money. You own nothing, you are nothing but a holder in good standing. So they got the right to cut themselves in when you move their money among one another. To say they can tax barter is to say they own your labor, and that would mean they own you, your body, your muscles, your mind. If they want anything out of me they are going to have to set that precedent and I will yell it from each and every hilltop in this country, that they never freed the slaves, instead they made us "equal" because now, we are all owned.

T



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