Bartering

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I make most of my income as an artist, so there are months where I don't make as much and have to do some creative economics. I generally try to save as much as I can by bartering. One of the ways I like to save money on books is by trading them on http://www.paperbackswap.com . You list your used paperbacks on the site and when someone requests a book you mail it out by media rate. When they recieve the book you get one credit, which you can then use to order a book for yourself for free! Right now they are also giving three free credits with the first 9 books you list. Everytime I finish reading a book I put it up on the list, and then I can use the credits I get to get new books. It winds up costing less than 2$ per book. They have over a million books listed right now, so if you are looking for one in particular you have a good chance of finding it, and if it isn't there you can put it on your wishlist so that if someone lists it later you will be notified. Paperbackswap is only in the US right now. I also use http://www.titletrader.com to list hardcover books as well asjust about anything else. It works the same as titletrader excpet that you can request more than one credit for things if you want. They have DVDs, CDs, record albums, books, and just about anything else can be listed as well, like health and beauty, jewelry, and toys. Anything lightweight enough to be shipped fairly inexpensively can be traded for something else that you can use. Titletrader can be used internationally as well. You choose which countries you are willing to ship to, and it only shows items from users willing to ship to your country. Lastly, I have had some luck trading artwork (usually custom pieces like portraits) for other items of value by posting ads on craigslist in my community. Last summer when I needed a printer for my computer I was able to trade for a really good used one that retails for 250$, plus extra cartidges. The materials to make the painting only cost me around 6$. Does anyone else use bartering to get things they need? What kinds of avuenues have you used to barter?