Bartering can help small business owners redirect spending and save cash in a number of ways.  It just takes a little bit of time and effort to examine your current budget and spending habits to see where you can make the biggest impact.

For us, we started with services around the house.  By switching to the pool service, carpet cleaners and exterminator on barter, we’re on track to save approximately $2,500 this year.  Plus, it makes you feel great to support other locally-owned small businesses.

We have also begun to take a look at our grocery and food bill.  Did you know The Barter Group now offers dry-goods on trade? Yes, you can get honey, jams, coffee, biscotti, breads and other food items on barter.  Taking the family out to dinner or entertaining clients also adds up, so I am using restaurant scrip whenever possible.  It’s a fun and easy way to enjoy a meal out and best of all you’re saving cash!

Barter can also be used on bigger projects at the home or office.  Maybe you need new built in storage cabinets, gates, garage doors, interior or exterior painting? All of these things can be done on trade.

The bottom line is you should get in the habit of thinking barter first.  If you’d spend a little bit of time networking with the 450 members or calling your trade concierge, you’d be amazed at how much cash you could free up for other areas of your business!