Bartering for Life Coaching

I've been working with a life coach as a support for a year and a bit, and I recently, hoping to work more intensely with her throughout the summer, arranged a barter for services.  Every other session, I run a private yoga-based movement class for her in her office space and that pays for the one session. This is now the third barter I've set up and I feel so great about it. It's really changed my perspective on service, the cost and value of work, and money in general. Awesome!

Bartering for Acupuncture

I set up an awesome barter a few weeks ago with a friend I met who is studying traditional chinese medicine where I clean her workspace for her for 2 hours, and I receive an hour of treatment in exchange.  We've had a few sessions now and it's a fascinating experience.  We each do our part, the thing that the other needs, and we each thank each other for it.  It's so much more personal than just exchanging money, and even feels more valuable than that.  I'm starting a second barter soon for life coaching services–keep an eye out for details on that!

Barter Gardening

I planted a chunk of seeds and seedlings in my friend's garden that i'm planting as a barter for drum lessons.  It was a beautiful day! I'm always amazed at how time flies when I'm gardening–I tend to forget to eat...

We made a bed of beans, tomatoes, peppers and spinach, and a second bed of bok choy, beets, and arugula.  Yum!

Bartering–Baby Steps

I'm trying the bartering thing.  In doing all the considering about money that I've been doing, I can't help but consider what things I can barter for.  It's fantastic to do a run down of all the things you have to offer and make a list of all the things you spend money on.  It's nice to categorize the things you spend money on and think if there's any way you can sart spending less money on those things–whether it's exchanging time to get those things for free–who you could ask for some of those things (the internet and social networking is your friend!) or if you can live without.

To start, I'm exchanging planning and starting a friends veg garden for hand drumming lessons–a great skill for when I'm singing, and great for when I'm teaching!

Sites like SwapSity are great for skill and product exchanges.  And never overlook Kijiji or Craigslist if you're looking for things–try to find used before you go new!  I've gotten free haircuts on Craigslist and there are always "Curb Alerts" about things seen on the side of the road.  There really is no need to spend money on new products ALL the time, and you'd be surprised how many skills your friends have....