You know, being a mom, wife, crafted, business owner, and an amazing bartering woman are a few of the hats I wear. Along the lines I Have picked up tips, on how to manage!! For example, run out of fabric softener? Add a half cup of apple cider vinigar when your machine calls for it!! Or how bout melt crayons in an old cooking pot and pour in a icecube tray... Lot of colors, and a great way to save on money!!
So here's my point!! What is your most valuable tip?? It can be any kind of helpful tip at all!! What makes it work!? I look forward to seeing what helps everyone else out!!
Freebie this week!!!! Your choice of a 5$ credit OR a 3" bow(will post pictures on facebook page)
Need something?? Feel free to post a barter underneath your comment!! This will earn you 2 entries!! I will be posting barter, so first comment starts under mine as to not throw off the game!! Tell your friends too!!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Some kinda details!!
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “barter”? Is it the book, One Red Paperclip. Does it make you think of Craigslist.org? Maybe it gives you the vision of a shady business deal going on in a back alley.
Did you know bartering can save you a ton of cash? Well, it can! But only if you do it right.
First, let’s take a look at what bartering is. To barter is to trade goods or services without using money. The idea is simple, and the practice dates back to the beginning of time, when money wasn’t around yet. Caveman want food? Caveman make fur coat for other caveman with wooly mammoth meat. Or something like that.
You’re really a bartering expert in disguise. Reflect a moment upon your childhood. Did you ever trade your pb&j for a Snickers bar at lunch time? How about trading baseball cards. Or pogs! Remember pogs?
You didn’t have cash as a kid, so you improvised. This entrepreneurial spirit certainly doesn’t have an age limit. The barter savvy Americans among us have scored prime vacations, cars, Christmas gifts, and even surgery!
How can you regain your bartering prowess? Follow these five tips from the pros to get started, and quit paying cash!
1. Assess your assets.
Take a mental (or physical) inventory of what you have, and at what price you’re willing to part with it, whether it be special skills you have, or actual stuff.
Think creatively.
Sometimes you might take something about yourself, or something that you have, for granted, not realizing its bartering potential. Maybe you have a passion for painting desert fauna. Maybe someone out there who knows how to build that hutch your wife has been begging you for has a wife who’s been begging him for a painting of desert fauna for their living room. Who knows?
2. Find a forum.
You know what you want. And now that you know what you’ve got, put it to the test—online. The internet has made bartering incredibly easy. Craigslist.org is arguably the most popular site for trading goods and services.
List your request, and what you can offer in return clearly and favorably. If it’s a thing you’re trading, make sure to attach a good photo (or two or three) to your post, and describe its current state. The last thing you want to do is tick off the gal who’s got what you want because when she receives the “like new” mountain bike you send her, she notices the shocks are blown, and the paint is chipped off on one side—the side you didn’t take a picture of.
SwapThing.com is another site that has taken off in recent months, where you can barter services, things, and skills online.
3. Be confident.
Know your limits. If you appear wishy washy to a potential barter partner, he/she might not want to do business with you, fearing your goods or services aren’t worth what you say they are. Or worse, you’ll undersell yourself and feel like you got swindled.
For example, if you stripe and seal coat the parking lot of a chocolate shop in return for specially made chocolate bars as Christmas gifts, know how much chocolate your services are worth.
In fact, if you’re exchanging professional services, you need to be aware of the barter credits system currently in place. A barter exchange is a commercial organization that creates a platform for clients to trade on and an internal currency for clients to trade with.
When you perform a service for another business in the organization, you are paid in trade credits, which you can then use to buy another company’s services. Check out the National Association of Trade Exchanges (www.nate.org) and the International Reciprocal Trade Association (www.irta.com) for more information.
Make sure when you’re trading commercially that you list your transactions on your taxes, lest you be attacked by the IRS! They need money just like everyone else, but instead of bartering, they’ll come after unwitting tax evaders!
4. Never cross the bottom line.
Don’t be afraid to push the limits, but know when to stop.
Don’t insult the person you’re trying to barter with by offering something ridiculously unequal to what they’re offering. Like a Hershey’s kiss for a Porsche. You’ll immediately be written off as an unserious, and annoyingly time-wasting barterer. Your chances of ever owning that particular Porsche, or some other similarly hot car owned by the same guy, will be shot.
5. Get it in writing.
If you’re sending something through the mail to someone you don’t know because you’ve bartered over Craigslist with them, get a written, signed document stating your exchange, both of your names, the goods being exchanged, and your addresses and phone numbers. That way if your mail box remains empty after the exchange has taken place, you’ll have somewhere to start to track down that original My Little Pony your husband made you trade for a bigger TV.
According to America’s Research Group, “67 percent of consumers have haggled in recent months, compared with 33 percent in 2006.” Now is a great time to get bartering! There are tons of people out there willing to barter with you, and more forums than ever to hook you up with them.
Stay focused, know what you want and what you’re willing to do, or part with, for it, and go for a trade!
Did you know bartering can save you a ton of cash? Well, it can! But only if you do it right.
First, let’s take a look at what bartering is. To barter is to trade goods or services without using money. The idea is simple, and the practice dates back to the beginning of time, when money wasn’t around yet. Caveman want food? Caveman make fur coat for other caveman with wooly mammoth meat. Or something like that.
You’re really a bartering expert in disguise. Reflect a moment upon your childhood. Did you ever trade your pb&j for a Snickers bar at lunch time? How about trading baseball cards. Or pogs! Remember pogs?
You didn’t have cash as a kid, so you improvised. This entrepreneurial spirit certainly doesn’t have an age limit. The barter savvy Americans among us have scored prime vacations, cars, Christmas gifts, and even surgery!
How can you regain your bartering prowess? Follow these five tips from the pros to get started, and quit paying cash!
1. Assess your assets.
Take a mental (or physical) inventory of what you have, and at what price you’re willing to part with it, whether it be special skills you have, or actual stuff.
Think creatively.
Sometimes you might take something about yourself, or something that you have, for granted, not realizing its bartering potential. Maybe you have a passion for painting desert fauna. Maybe someone out there who knows how to build that hutch your wife has been begging you for has a wife who’s been begging him for a painting of desert fauna for their living room. Who knows?
2. Find a forum.
You know what you want. And now that you know what you’ve got, put it to the test—online. The internet has made bartering incredibly easy. Craigslist.org is arguably the most popular site for trading goods and services.
List your request, and what you can offer in return clearly and favorably. If it’s a thing you’re trading, make sure to attach a good photo (or two or three) to your post, and describe its current state. The last thing you want to do is tick off the gal who’s got what you want because when she receives the “like new” mountain bike you send her, she notices the shocks are blown, and the paint is chipped off on one side—the side you didn’t take a picture of.
SwapThing.com is another site that has taken off in recent months, where you can barter services, things, and skills online.
3. Be confident.
Know your limits. If you appear wishy washy to a potential barter partner, he/she might not want to do business with you, fearing your goods or services aren’t worth what you say they are. Or worse, you’ll undersell yourself and feel like you got swindled.
For example, if you stripe and seal coat the parking lot of a chocolate shop in return for specially made chocolate bars as Christmas gifts, know how much chocolate your services are worth.
In fact, if you’re exchanging professional services, you need to be aware of the barter credits system currently in place. A barter exchange is a commercial organization that creates a platform for clients to trade on and an internal currency for clients to trade with.
When you perform a service for another business in the organization, you are paid in trade credits, which you can then use to buy another company’s services. Check out the National Association of Trade Exchanges (www.nate.org) and the International Reciprocal Trade Association (www.irta.com) for more information.
Make sure when you’re trading commercially that you list your transactions on your taxes, lest you be attacked by the IRS! They need money just like everyone else, but instead of bartering, they’ll come after unwitting tax evaders!
4. Never cross the bottom line.
Don’t be afraid to push the limits, but know when to stop.
Don’t insult the person you’re trying to barter with by offering something ridiculously unequal to what they’re offering. Like a Hershey’s kiss for a Porsche. You’ll immediately be written off as an unserious, and annoyingly time-wasting barterer. Your chances of ever owning that particular Porsche, or some other similarly hot car owned by the same guy, will be shot.
5. Get it in writing.
If you’re sending something through the mail to someone you don’t know because you’ve bartered over Craigslist with them, get a written, signed document stating your exchange, both of your names, the goods being exchanged, and your addresses and phone numbers. That way if your mail box remains empty after the exchange has taken place, you’ll have somewhere to start to track down that original My Little Pony your husband made you trade for a bigger TV.
According to America’s Research Group, “67 percent of consumers have haggled in recent months, compared with 33 percent in 2006.” Now is a great time to get bartering! There are tons of people out there willing to barter with you, and more forums than ever to hook you up with them.
Stay focused, know what you want and what you’re willing to do, or part with, for it, and go for a trade!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Winner for week 2
Congratulations to tru_chick_04 random.org choose comment number 1!! You win a free bottle cap magnet free of charge!! You can go to my bottle cap magnets on my facebook page and get any one that you want!! If you are looking for a different one let me know!! Also, if you entered you take 30% off your next order, just mention week 2 entry when you check out!!
Both recipe's sound amazing! Can't wait to try both!!!
Happy Easter y'all!!
*Tru_chic_04 please contact me either by facebook or my email to let me know what you want and your shipping address ((raelynn.todd@gmail.com))
Both recipe's sound amazing! Can't wait to try both!!!
Happy Easter y'all!!
*Tru_chic_04 please contact me either by facebook or my email to let me know what you want and your shipping address ((raelynn.todd@gmail.com))
Freebie Friday 2
Not only Is today freebie Friday it is also Good Friday!
Today's freebie friday winner will be able to choose any ((one)) of my bottle caps!! This will cover a magnet mounting only, If you want it mounted on a bow, necklace or one of my charm bracelets it will cost you. And as always, if you order anything from me when you win, you complete order ships for FREE!!!
Here's how to be entered into this weeks freebie Friday:
Comment with your favorite recipe! Will you share it or do you want to barter with it?? With Easter Sunday a few days away, everyone can you a great recipe!!
Here is mine, it is super yummy and very easy!!
Strawberry Short Cake
Ingredients
1 cup miniature marshmallows
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen sliced strawberries in syrup, thawed
1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup shortening
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease bottom only of a 9x13 inch baking pan. Sprinkle the marshmallows evenly over bottom of pan. Thoroughly combine completely thawed strawberries and their syrup with dry gelatin; set aside.
In large mixing bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center and add shortening, milk, vanilla and eggs. Blend at low speed until moistened, then beat 3 minutes at medium speed, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Pour batter evenly over marshmallows in pan. Spoon strawberry mixture evenly over batter.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 to 50 minutes until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean.
Nutritional Information
Today's freebie friday winner will be able to choose any ((one)) of my bottle caps!! This will cover a magnet mounting only, If you want it mounted on a bow, necklace or one of my charm bracelets it will cost you. And as always, if you order anything from me when you win, you complete order ships for FREE!!!
Here's how to be entered into this weeks freebie Friday:
Comment with your favorite recipe! Will you share it or do you want to barter with it?? With Easter Sunday a few days away, everyone can you a great recipe!!
Here is mine, it is super yummy and very easy!!
Strawberry Short Cake
Ingredients
1 cup miniature marshmallows
2 (10 ounce) packages frozen sliced strawberries in syrup, thawed
1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup shortening
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 eggs
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease bottom only of a 9x13 inch baking pan. Sprinkle the marshmallows evenly over bottom of pan. Thoroughly combine completely thawed strawberries and their syrup with dry gelatin; set aside.
In large mixing bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center and add shortening, milk, vanilla and eggs. Blend at low speed until moistened, then beat 3 minutes at medium speed, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Pour batter evenly over marshmallows in pan. Spoon strawberry mixture evenly over batter.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 to 50 minutes until golden brown and toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean.
Nutritional Information
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Get Ready!!
Last week's freebie Friday winner posted a recipe and I loved it. So to enter this weeks freebie Friday comment a favorite recipe of yours!! Any recipe that you may like!!! I am postage this today so you can have it ready for tomorrow!!
I wonder if there is any swap meets(a great place to barter) around me? Are there any around you!? What's your experiece with swap meets. I will do further research and let y'all know what I learn!! Farmers markets are gonna be starting soon, great place to haggle and barter!!!
I wonder if there is any swap meets(a great place to barter) around me? Are there any around you!? What's your experiece with swap meets. I will do further research and let y'all know what I learn!! Farmers markets are gonna be starting soon, great place to haggle and barter!!!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tips on having a successful barter!!
I Watched a show the other day and it say women are less likely to try to negotiate then men are. I wonder why?? Women are usually the households main purchaser. How strange that we don't barter and negotiate more. So, with that said, here are some tips on a successful barter!!
1. Know what you have, and what it is worth!!
2. Know what you want, but be flexible!!
3. Don't use generalized statements, people will show more interest if you use keywords, amazing, beautiful, ect..!!
4. Don't be afraid to exploit your husbands talents!!!
5. Don't be afraid to initiate contact!!! You will never know unless you ask!
6. Put yourself out there, hasn't eBay proven that everyone wants something!!
More to come later!
1. Know what you have, and what it is worth!!
2. Know what you want, but be flexible!!
3. Don't use generalized statements, people will show more interest if you use keywords, amazing, beautiful, ect..!!
4. Don't be afraid to exploit your husbands talents!!!
5. Don't be afraid to initiate contact!!! You will never know unless you ask!
6. Put yourself out there, hasn't eBay proven that everyone wants something!!
More to come later!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Bartering Party!!!
Ya know what!?!? I reaalllyyy wish I could get my laptop fixed so I could make this blog so purtie!! But besides that, I am having fun with it!! There are so many great things that I want to take part in!, but itnall has tone spread out so you don't wear yourself out!
My blog is about bartering, so here it is:
Spring cleaning is in full swing, surely while cleaning up/and out, you come across something you don't need but don't want to throw it away... Well why not get your girlfriends together and have a mommy share party? Everyone brings a 2liter and a snack and their possessions for bartering... You set them up and start bartering for them. "I will give you these shoes for that blanket.." ect. It's a great way to get your friends together have fun and snag some awesome items!! If you dont have a lot to barter with write down on a flash card what you can do.... An errand for a friend, babysitting, bake cookies, I am sure you get the idea!! Need help with planning your party, I am here to help!! Email me, and I will provide all the help I can!!
What are you waiting for, get out there and barter!!!
My blog is about bartering, so here it is:
Spring cleaning is in full swing, surely while cleaning up/and out, you come across something you don't need but don't want to throw it away... Well why not get your girlfriends together and have a mommy share party? Everyone brings a 2liter and a snack and their possessions for bartering... You set them up and start bartering for them. "I will give you these shoes for that blanket.." ect. It's a great way to get your friends together have fun and snag some awesome items!! If you dont have a lot to barter with write down on a flash card what you can do.... An errand for a friend, babysitting, bake cookies, I am sure you get the idea!! Need help with planning your party, I am here to help!! Email me, and I will provide all the help I can!!
What are you waiting for, get out there and barter!!!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Winner!!
Sorry that it's so late in the day. Went to my mother in laws house while my husband camped last night (who wants to camp with a 5 month old and 2 year old!!) anyway, she has Bo reception at all!! Ohh and NO computer! I went crazy!!
So Congrats to Brittany!!! Please send your address to raelynn.todd@gmail.com
I breast feed too!! I am going to try the cookies out!! Never heard of them before, and when you first posted them I was like, cookies made from breaskmilk, my husband will try that lol!!!!! Hope you find more recipe's like that!
Ohh, and if you are interested in orderin anything from my fb page, it will ship for free!
Good bartering!!!
So Congrats to Brittany!!! Please send your address to raelynn.todd@gmail.com
I breast feed too!! I am going to try the cookies out!! Never heard of them before, and when you first posted them I was like, cookies made from breaskmilk, my husband will try that lol!!!!! Hope you find more recipe's like that!
Ohh, and if you are interested in orderin anything from my fb page, it will ship for free!
Good bartering!!!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Freebie Friday!!!!
So, that's right!!! Just what the post says, today is freebie Friday!! How, you may ask, can I enter this contest!?!? Well a) be a follower! b) post a barter!!! Then voilà, entered to win a free flower bow and yes, shipping is included in the free statement!! Wanna see a pic of the bow, head on over to my facebook page www.facebook.cOm/pixiedustrus
Need help figuring out a barter? You can either refer to past posts or email me at raelynn. Todd@gmail.com
Wanna make a donation for next week? Email me your info and pics!!!
Happy bartering
** winner chosen by random.org*** 18 to enter*** free shipping to us only***
Need help figuring out a barter? You can either refer to past posts or email me at raelynn. Todd@gmail.com
Wanna make a donation for next week? Email me your info and pics!!!
Happy bartering
** winner chosen by random.org*** 18 to enter*** free shipping to us only***
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Mommy Share!!
Lots or girls I know are stay at home moms!! Living offnof a 1 person income has become increasingly stressful, specially with these crazy gas prices!!! There is no reason for us to do without!! Girls we can trade Vera Bradley purses, super cute spring strappy shoes!! Just list what you have, what you are looking for and your email address!! For example: trade my size 7 worn 3 times black 2 inch heel shoes for a same size pair of pink flats!! Bada-bing-bada-bam new for two!!! Ugh!! Can't wait to seem some awesome bartering going on!! Maybe I should start a facebook fan page for better updates!! Hmm, any suggestions!!!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Coupon's!!! And freebies!!
Holy crap!! I just got done watching that extreme couponing show on TLC, all I can say is wow! What dedication!!!
Well that got me thinking, what if Mondays we bartered coupons? Someone got diaper coupons, I can use them if you need cereal coupons!! List what you need, and Sundays clip all the coupons, then see who needs what!!! How neat would that be!! We have until Saturday night to work out the logistics of this lol!!
Ohh!! And I will be giving away a flower bow for free (even shipping) on Friday!! It is apart of my freebie Friday! All you have to do is post a comment of something you would like to barter for, then at midnight Friday I will draw the winner and post in my Saturday morning blog!!! Tell your friends!!
Xoxo
Well that got me thinking, what if Mondays we bartered coupons? Someone got diaper coupons, I can use them if you need cereal coupons!! List what you need, and Sundays clip all the coupons, then see who needs what!!! How neat would that be!! We have until Saturday night to work out the logistics of this lol!!
Ohh!! And I will be giving away a flower bow for free (even shipping) on Friday!! It is apart of my freebie Friday! All you have to do is post a comment of something you would like to barter for, then at midnight Friday I will draw the winner and post in my Saturday morning blog!!! Tell your friends!!
Xoxo
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
But I wannnt it!!
My husband is always getting on me about how much I spend on anything!! Part of me just wants to throw away the recepits before I get home, but hiding it won't do no good!! That's the beauty of the bartering system, you're getting a trade!! You get to feel good about your "purchase". Bartering is an amazing thing, and heck? Who knows, Maybe if you get good at it on here, you can take it to your local farmers market, have the confidence to do it within your business. Y'all!!! Try it out!! Have fun!! I look foward to seeing some amazing batering going on!!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Hmm... Now what?
So, you have the skill, but maybe you don't know how to barter with it!! Or maybe you are like me and when put on the spot you don't know what to ask for!! Well let's see if these idea's help you
* Are you good at designing business cards, do you need some business cards?
* Are you good at painting wood signs, do you need a unique welcoming sign?
* Are you good at crocheting, do you need something crocheted(pot holders anyone?!)
* Are you good at problem solving, do you need a problem solved?
* Are you good at balancing a check book? Do you need help with you checkbook?
* Are you a great baker with amazingly yummy recipe's? Do you need goo recipe's?
* Are you a jewelry maker? Do you need jewelry?
* Do you have great heels you don't wear often, do you need great heels?
* Are you a bow maker who needs ribbon, do you have extra ribbon around and need bows?
Y'all, this is just an example of the type of things you can barter with and for!!! Stop spending money and start bartering honey!!! Need help finding something thing to barter with, email me, raelynn.todd@gmail.com!! I want to help you!!
Hmm... Maybe a freebie give away soon!! Stay tuned for details!
Check out my facebook page,
www.facebook.com/pixiedustrus
everything is open to trades!!
* Are you good at designing business cards, do you need some business cards?
* Are you good at painting wood signs, do you need a unique welcoming sign?
* Are you good at crocheting, do you need something crocheted(pot holders anyone?!)
* Are you good at problem solving, do you need a problem solved?
* Are you good at balancing a check book? Do you need help with you checkbook?
* Are you a great baker with amazingly yummy recipe's? Do you need goo recipe's?
* Are you a jewelry maker? Do you need jewelry?
* Do you have great heels you don't wear often, do you need great heels?
* Are you a bow maker who needs ribbon, do you have extra ribbon around and need bows?
Y'all, this is just an example of the type of things you can barter with and for!!! Stop spending money and start bartering honey!!! Need help finding something thing to barter with, email me, raelynn.todd@gmail.com!! I want to help you!!
Hmm... Maybe a freebie give away soon!! Stay tuned for details!
Check out my facebook page,
www.facebook.com/pixiedustrus
everything is open to trades!!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Bartering made Easy!!
I have no idea why the bartering system slowly died out. Are we not skilled people? Are most of us bot just a little broke? Do we still not need/want things!!
Well here it is, an online bartering system. A trade for a trade, a skill for a skill!!
Do you have the best recipes for pies, but none for a tried and true chocolate cake? Well barter yours for theirs!! Are you a great resume writer, but terrible at making bows, then Barter away!! Can you write in calligraphy, well I'm sure there is a bride who wants to barter with you!! Do you have tons of 0-3 month clothes but are ready for the next size up, barter!!! This isn't a for sale place, no paypal, no you supply materials, this is yours for mine only!! Just post what you can do or what you have, and what you want. No open endings right now, I want this to be as easy as can be. Who knows, when it grows, I'll provide an easier format!! For now, someone may want to trade that diaper coupon for a coffee coupon!! So start bartering and have fun!!!
Well here it is, an online bartering system. A trade for a trade, a skill for a skill!!
Do you have the best recipes for pies, but none for a tried and true chocolate cake? Well barter yours for theirs!! Are you a great resume writer, but terrible at making bows, then Barter away!! Can you write in calligraphy, well I'm sure there is a bride who wants to barter with you!! Do you have tons of 0-3 month clothes but are ready for the next size up, barter!!! This isn't a for sale place, no paypal, no you supply materials, this is yours for mine only!! Just post what you can do or what you have, and what you want. No open endings right now, I want this to be as easy as can be. Who knows, when it grows, I'll provide an easier format!! For now, someone may want to trade that diaper coupon for a coffee coupon!! So start bartering and have fun!!!
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