Hmm, “work” is a state of mind. As a small business owner, I put in a lot of hours that don’t feel like work to me, because I love what I do. I do trades all the time. I am able to have things or services that I couldn’t otherwise afford. That also works in reverse. It’s what small businesses do for the sake of helping each other out. It’s a good feeling when you create a win, win scenario. You should try it sometime.
How about the enterprising souls who drive around neighborhoods the night before trash pickup looking for discarded items like old sewing machines, lawn mowers, etc. They spend a few bucks fixing them up and sell or trade up for something they want. You can make a hefty sum doing things other people aren't willing to do.
My father who grew up during the Great Depression loved to make use of things that other people thought of as garbage. He made a good living doing just that. Created many different companies. I still am amazed at his creativity. I wish I had his talent.
There’s a funny Brit TV show “The Larkins” about a family that does this and all the trouble they get into. Yet they’re probably the richest family in the village.
Bill, I have heard of this before. At first I thought it irrational, but as you essentially stated, every one does a deal for their own reason. Have spent 35 years in commercial real estate I can attest to the old phrase, “there is a buyer for every property”. You just need to find the needle in the haystack!
Thanks for this particular redo Bill. I remember the paper clip barter to the TED-X tale but I don’t recall the TikTok exchange one. I thought maybe the upshot of this tale would be that these two met, hit it off and got married or something akin thereto.
Hope you’ve had some good down time. I’ve always enjoyed rereading your stories when you need to power down for a bit.
Mmm … this is the first I’ve heard this. Talk about thinking outside the box!! Certainly, these trades were probably very time consuming, and took years … I hadn’t heard the TEDx , but I’m sure that attributes of patience, persistence and positivity were paramount!
My perspective is business and economic development. I've heard the story that starts with a paper clip a couple of times before. This is the first time that I was struck by the entrepreneurship of their work. I tell aspiring entrepreneurs to start with what they have. What a great illustration of doing just that!
Seems like a lot of work and probably a little tax evasion of barter income along the way.
Just saying
Hmm, “work” is a state of mind. As a small business owner, I put in a lot of hours that don’t feel like work to me, because I love what I do. I do trades all the time. I am able to have things or services that I couldn’t otherwise afford. That also works in reverse. It’s what small businesses do for the sake of helping each other out. It’s a good feeling when you create a win, win scenario. You should try it sometime.
How about the enterprising souls who drive around neighborhoods the night before trash pickup looking for discarded items like old sewing machines, lawn mowers, etc. They spend a few bucks fixing them up and sell or trade up for something they want. You can make a hefty sum doing things other people aren't willing to do.
My father who grew up during the Great Depression loved to make use of things that other people thought of as garbage. He made a good living doing just that. Created many different companies. I still am amazed at his creativity. I wish I had his talent.
There’s a funny Brit TV show “The Larkins” about a family that does this and all the trouble they get into. Yet they’re probably the richest family in the village.
Fun story, thank you for sharing, have a great weekend!
Sounds like some good ol’ ski town economics!
Bill, I have heard of this before. At first I thought it irrational, but as you essentially stated, every one does a deal for their own reason. Have spent 35 years in commercial real estate I can attest to the old phrase, “there is a buyer for every property”. You just need to find the needle in the haystack!
Thanks for this particular redo Bill. I remember the paper clip barter to the TED-X tale but I don’t recall the TikTok exchange one. I thought maybe the upshot of this tale would be that these two met, hit it off and got married or something akin thereto.
Hope you’ve had some good down time. I’ve always enjoyed rereading your stories when you need to power down for a bit.
Mmm … this is the first I’ve heard this. Talk about thinking outside the box!! Certainly, these trades were probably very time consuming, and took years … I hadn’t heard the TEDx , but I’m sure that attributes of patience, persistence and positivity were paramount!
My perspective is business and economic development. I've heard the story that starts with a paper clip a couple of times before. This is the first time that I was struck by the entrepreneurship of their work. I tell aspiring entrepreneurs to start with what they have. What a great illustration of doing just that!
Stories like this are what make low power mode high value for me. How's that for a trade?