This interesting article on Grist describes some actual barter trades in action. What is worth what, and so on. Scroll down to that part, it provides some good examples.

What would you bring to the table?

That was an interesting article, Jilly. Thanks for the link.

Gosh....I don't know what I would bring......maybe I'd do some baking. I can whip up some brownies and maybe a few frosted cakes. They are easy and cheap to make, and some people just don't have the time to bake.

I am crafty but that would require me having to buy materials to make things. Can't afford that at the moment. I know I have a set of dishes in my storage unit I don't want anymore, and maybe a few decorative things.

That's all I've got for now....

Baking sounds excellent, Debbie. I know I would certainly trade things for fresh baked goods, especially if they contained whole grains and other healthy options.

I would bring Kvass, and apple cider vinegar, and dehydrated fruits. I could also bring pecans, prickly pear vodka and lots of books.

This week I did a little writing barter with a friend who owns a bath and beauty business. I did a little copy for her media venues and exchanged that for some nice products. YAY. Doing the happy dance!

Things I barter for now:

1. empty milk jugs for brewed compost tea (for the garden) from the hydroponics store
2. media writing for bath and beauty products
3. old books exchanged for other used books (and DVDs, music, etc)
4. old food pantry produce to someone with livestock for bags of cat food and goat milk
5. doing some kitten fostering for bags of cat food
6. scrap and precious metals for cash
7. Homestead-produced items for used books
8. homestead knowledge for eggs and chicken manure
9. anything needed - goods and services - for items I own (using Craigslist)
10. Empty glass jars for eggs
11. wood burls and antlers for cash
12. pet watching for same