[2vette2camaro]

Ok, this may not be the place to put my "cry for help", but here goes.

Ok, so we are either in a recession or headed there- I think we are there. Times are tough, money is tight and gas is killing all of us. What do we do? I have been thinking about starting some sort of trade network- local of course, because shipping would kill us (it could be done, but right now I am thinking local). Maybe we could all start a local trade network in our own communities. My question- how would I go about it? Would each person need to pay $5.00 or so to be in the network? Would we meet so often, have a newsletter going out or have a website? I just have so much HBA and different things that when people have no money they are not buying. But if they could trade that might be different.

For example, I have a wedding ring that is valued at $1500, I would love to get a $1000.00 out of it. No one here in Arkansas has any money. But if I could trade it for a motorcycle(s), S-10 truck, etc. then it would be just as good. Can anyone help me or has this been done anywhere?

This may sound crazy, but I literally cannot afford to work- my house payment goes up, my phone bill goes up, $200.00 a month in gas to get to work, another $100.00 in food to eat at work, etc. . I don't have kids so I cannot even imagine you SAHM's who KNOW you cannot afford to work. Believe me I have thought about it, but when all you are going to make is $7.00 an hour, it's not worth it. So what's left.

Does anyone have any ideas? I am thinking I need to get something else going as the business' I have always had did not deal with the "necessities" of life- wedding photography, hedgehogs, etc. In times of a recession what could prosper?

[NoahsMomma]

craiglist.org has a swap on their site. Not sure if this would help but it can be done on your local craigslist.

Sherry

[bette]

I have always believed that trading for the things you need is the way to go! I applaud your efforts in trying to set up a group and wish you luck. I tried to do the same around here about a year ago, but interest kind of dwindled after awhile among the others. I did it primarily through Craigslist, but I have now had so many horrible experiences through there that I don't really know how to approach it. I totally agree with you that I can't afford to work either. We have 3 boys and all I ever seem to be doing is buying food to try to feed their never ending appetites! My DH wants me to work, but with all the expenses it would incur, it really is more economical to stay home and learn money saving tips from you guys. I told him if I got a job I wouldn't have time for this! I have been trading for alot of the things I really need on here. Some people have even allowed me to pay for auctions through trades. It is really great. Best of luck!

[2vette2camaro]

Yeah I told my DH if I was to get a job not only would I incur the financial part of everything going up, but I would be dead tired AND all I would do on the weekends would be clean house and get caught up on paperwork, etc. So that would be my whole life, since i can't afford a housekeeper and a bookkeeper.

I will look up craigslist.

[NoahsMomma]

try this site:

SwapAce :: Buy, Sell, Swap, Meet, Barter, and Negotiate For Free

[NoahsMomma]

check this out also:

9 Websites to Swap Your Stuff | MakeUseOf.com

[twilcn]

Since you're a wedding photographer you may be able to get a couple of gigs to do a few of those..My DH is a photographer full time,but doesn't do weddings (Too much libitity) but occasionaly there's people on there asking for photographers....My DH made $400.00 for 2 days of work ..working for Sony He got the listing from Craigslist...

[joshmamabear]

you can create a yahoo bargain group specifically around your area. We have one right here in Ft Smith/Van Buren area. Most sales/swaps/trades are done on pick-up basis. HTH.

[2vette2camaro]

How do you do that? I am on the Freecycle group but it was already created.

[joshmamabear]

its different from freecycle since its not allowed to sell/swap at freecycle afaik. someone set it up specifically to sell/swap/trade items and it seems pretty active since it was set up. Its quite convinient because sales/swaps are local, people don't have to drive too far to get the things they want. I was able to sell some stockpile items there. It was a lot better than craigslist because at craigslist, I got a lot of emails from potential scammers offering to pay me in advance (with fake checks/MOs)....LOL The bargain group is always cash on delivery and they pick it up at your agreed place, like a store parking lot. HTH.

[KellyMarie]

JMB..I have considered doing this for my area in the river valley.

[KellyMarie]

I just want to suggest that AFC can create private forums for members to do this. You get all the perks of staying here at AFC and having a private forum to trade in. Just ask an admin and it will get done That is why I have been considering creating one, much easier to have it all in one place and Yahoo groups are so impersonal...AFC started as a Yahoo group for a coupon train and we quickly outgrew it!
Anyhoooooo...if you want a private forum here at AFC to have a trading place for your area, just let us know