Create A New Willage

Times are tough at the grocery store. In the past year I have watched items go up 50% to 100%. Things that used to cost a dollar, now cost two dollars. Six months ago, even four months ago, I thought it was due to fuel costs, which I reluctantly accepted. But, fuel prices have come down. Have food prices also come down? No. Is any price lower today than it was a year ago? Not that I can find. So, the question is what can we do about it?

We can decide not to buy items. Sure, I know we have to purchase milk and the basics. But, what about vegetables? You can grow them - and not just grow them for yourself. Grow them for others and trade the vegetables for a service. Or, trade a service for a service. Maybe you love mowing lawns - or, you can do it very well. Mowing lawns has a value. So does cleaning a pool or plumbing or electrical work or any number of other work to be done around a house. Yes, this sounds a bit like trading chickens for medical services, and it's not too far off.

Look, even though you may not have the income to have something done, you may well have a service that you can trade. Preparing taxes would be a great service at this time of year. Or, maybe you can paint a house or a room in a house. Most people can babysit, that service does not have to be left to teenagers - it's a service you can trade for another service.

First, establish a value with another for the service you provide and the service another provides. Once you have agreed, trade your services. Villages can be created within any group of people. The PTA. A church. A neighborhood. Any groups that has a variety of talents will do just fine.

What will trading services do? It will help you maintain a quality of life. You can trade vegetables for lawn and pool service. Trade electrical for plumbing services. Make sure the deals arrived at are fair for all concerned - and swap services.