Successful Swaps

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But the trade I still like the best of all took place just a few short months ago when I bartered my small collection of American and foreign coins to a friend ... in return for six issues of THE MOTHER EARTH NEWS! I liked this swap so well, In fact, that I've now started a subscription of my own!

Gary A. Kimmons Phillipsburg, Mo.

Swapping wasn't exactly new to my husband and me, but as newlyweds fresh out on our own farm In the "boonles"we hadn't had much opportunity (nor the acquaintances) to do a lot of trading. Then we met a friendly family of "potters" just down the road and discovered-with great excitementthat all of us were MOTHER readers. Before long, our discussions turned to barter ... our eyes set to twinkling ... and we were hooked I You could just see all our thinkers a-workin' and a-conjurin' up some mighty good deals.

Pretty soon we were swapping the building of a chimney for pottery lessons and strawberry plants for manure. And-in no time flat-we had branched out to a family garden/co-op swap (this barter really Bt up my mother's and grandmother's eyes). Each household grows certain types of vegetables and then we trade off. Everyone shares in the workload and we each get to enjoy all of the good things grown.

Yep, swapping is a positive and satisfying thing. It has gained us a lasting friendship and the security of knowing that "where there's a will, there's a way". But the best part of all is that feeling you get inside when you know you have just the thing that someone else needs. Then all you have to do is say, "I'll tell you what I'll do. . . " and - sure enough-there goes that twinkle I

Laura Rasler Corunna, Ind.

Once - when I worked for a time at a women's contraception clinica woman In farm overalls came in, obviously carrying something behind her back. She walked up to my desk and placed a big jar of fresh milk on It. "I have an appointment today and I have nothing to pay for it with," she smiled apologetically, "but maybe you could take this."

We handed out mugs to patients and workers &Me, and most women who passed through the clinic that day left with milk mustaches over their smiles!

Leslea Newman Cambridge, Mass.

Tradin' Is a much more sensible means of exchange (and one that's better attuned to a "minimum waste" lifestyle) than the constant cash outlay that most folks are used to. I've found that I can barter for nearly all of my needs ... and for some of my hewn's desires, as well!

For example, my children and I live on a communal farm-rent free-in exchange for a few hours of work a day. (This sort of opportunity Is more common than most people think. A friend of mine out West, for Instance, Is restoring a ghost town for the same labor-for-rent privilege that we enjoy.) I've also swapped mending for houseplants, old clothing for original pottery, and home-cooked meals for everything from music lessons to car repairs. (It's amazing how many folks don't "get Into" cooking ... I'm currently trading muffins for skiing lesson!)

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