Back to bartering

I am a serious believer in the barter system. You know - trading good or services instead of money. TSC and I barter whenever we get the chance.

We traded yummy lamb from TSC's family farm for our TV unit (not a bad deal, I must say). I swap organic veggies from my garden with my neighbour in exchange for salted butter from her husband's business. I also trade plants and clothes with my mom and swap home-grown spinach with mushrooms from my friend's mother who does cooking promotions for a mushroom farm. We have bachelor friends who come over to tutor TSC in various varsity subjects in exchange for a hot meal from my kitchen. It really works for us.

I'd love to take it to the next level, somehow. Not one red paperclip level, but the next level. I had a dream that we did a home swap with someone from abroad for a few weeks. It was great in my dream. And Po and I are thinking maybe we should trade places for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, seeing she reckons it would be cool to be in South Africa and I'm over the hype already.

I remember when I was a kid we used to trade stickers. And Magic Diaper Baby figurines (does anyone else remember those rather scary-looking plastic babies with the nappies that would change colour in cold water?).

So as adults, I reckon we should hold a trade-off for unwanted Christmas presents after the event. Who's in? I get hand towels from my grandparents every year, if anyone is desperate for a pair? ;-)

Have a good Wednesday.