Discover how to start bartering in your everyday life. Learn practical tips for trading goods and services, building community ties, and living more simply.
The other day my grandson was showing me a new match box car. When I asked where he got it he told me he traded a reusable water bottle for it. He assured me his parents knew he traded the water bottle and that it was something they didn’t need. It was a great opportunity to talk about bartering and how people have used the barter economy since ancient times.
Bartering Definition
:to trade by exchanging one commodity for another : to trade goods or services in exchange for other goods or services
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
If you’ve ever traded zucchini for eggs or helped a neighbor fix a fence in exchange for honey, congratulations—you’ve already been bartering.
Bartering is an age-old practice that’s making a modern comeback, especially among folks living a simpler, more self-sufficient life. Whether you’re gardening, keeping chickens, crafting handmade goods, or offering services like childcare or repairs, there are countless ways to trade what you have for what you need—without spending a dime.
Let’s take a look at how bartering works, why it’s worth incorporating into your lifestyle, and how to get started.
Advantages of Bartering
Living simply isn’t just about cutting expenses—it’s also about building resilience, community, and creativity. Bartering checks all of those boxes. Here’s why:
- It saves money—you trade skills or excess stuff instead of cash.
- It builds community—regular exchanges build trust and foster relationships.
- It reduces waste—you can find new homes for excess produce, handmade items, or useful tools.
- It encourages self-reliance—you learn to value your own skills and find value in others’.
What Can You Barter?
Pretty much anything that provides value can be bartered, just think back to your childhood days of trading – one person’s trash can be another person’s treasure.
- Fresh eggs, garden veggies, homemade bread
- Micro-greens or plant starts
- Herbal teas, handmade soaps, salves, and candles
- Firewood, seeds, or even home-canned goods (check your local cottage laws!)
- Tools, nails, hardware, or spare parts
- Gardening or landscaping help
- Childcare or pet sitting
- Carpentry, plumbing, sewing, or repair work
- Homemade meals, cleaning, or transportation
- Photography
- Cleaning services
How to Get Started with Bartering
If you’re new to bartering, don’t worry—it’s easier (and more natural) than you might think. Here are a few tips to help you ease into it:
1. Start in Your Own Circle
Look to family members, friends, neighbors, and community members. Someone may need something you can offer—like garden help or a dozen eggs—and may have something you want in return. It can be as casual as a conversation over the fence.
Recently I decided to start buying a loaf of sourdough bread once a week from a neighbor. Yes, I know how to make bread but it was becoming something that was causing me stress each week, so I decided to support the micro-bakery in my neighborhood. After my second purchase, I asked if she’d like to trade the bread for eggs each week. She loved the idea.
2. Know the Value of What You’re Offering
You don’t need to assign a dollar value to everything, but having a general idea helps keep trades fair. Think in terms of time, effort, and usefulness. That being said, don’t get too caught in the idea that everything needs to be an “even exchange.” For the barter deal to work, both parties need to feel like they got a fair trade. Maybe you have sewing skills and are willing to hem and alter a wedding dress for a friend who is a CPA and that friend will do your tax return for free. Or you’re a house cleaner and trade a one hour clean for a one hour massage with a massage therapist.
3. Practice Clear Communication
Make sure both sides are clear on the expectations—what’s being exchanged, when, and any details that might affect the outcome. No one wants to feel like they got the short end of the stick. When I started bartering with the baker, I told her that we could continue as long as it’s mutually beneficial. If I run out of eggs or she needs the money, we can change the agreement. At the end of the day, I’d prefer to have good community relationships rather than getting the best deal for me.
4. Join or Start a Barter Group
Many towns have local bartering groups on Facebook or Nextdoor, and barter markets or swap meets pop up regularly in some areas. You can even start a small circle of friends who meet monthly to trade.
5. Be Flexible and Kind
Not every trade will be equal, and sometimes someone may really need a helping hand. Keep a generous mindset. We never want to be a person who cannot give without getting something in return. The beauty of bartering is that it is community building—something money can’t buy.
Disadvantages of Bartering
1. Can Be Time Consuming
If you’re spending a ton of time finding someone to barter with or working out the barter agreement, it might not be cost effective – there is some truth to the saying, “Time is money.”
2. Might Be Hard to Find Suitable Trading Partners
Trading some things on a regular basis, like eggs for bread each week or switching off child are once a month with another couple, is a great way to reduce your cash flow. But when it comes to trading one-off things, it that might be harder to find someone who wants what you have and wants to trade something you want. It’s not impossible but might not be something you can do over and over.
3. You Might Have to Pay Taxes
Some barter transactions are considered taxable income. You’ll want to be sure that you’re following the Internal Revenue Service Rules for bartering.
Successful bartering isn’t just for emergencies, preppers or if the economy crumbles – it’s a practical, meaningful way to share resources and build relationships. Whether you’re trading a basket of homegrown tomatoes for some garden help or swapping carpentry work for auto work, you’re participating in a rich tradition that’s rooted in community and trust.
So next time you find yourself with extra eggs, garden herbs, or a bit of free time—ask around. You might be surprised at what you can trade for.
Want to connect with other bartering-minded folks? I’d love to hear your stories and tips! Drop them in the comments below or join our newsletter where we share more about simple living, seasonal gardening, scratch cooking, and yes—even more bartering ideas.
