Short on Cash? Consider Swapping Goods or Services.
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Pari' Wright, 23, lives for free in North Arlington, where rents are among the highest in the nation.
Her secret: Bartering.
Two years ago, Pari' (the apostrophe aids pronunciation of her Farsi name) offered to clean for anyone who gave her a free place to live.
An older woman who needed help organizing and redecorating her house responded, offering a basement apartment.
Pari' found her deal on Craigslist, which has a bartering section under the for-sale category, but there are plenty of other Web sites.
On SwapTree.com, people trade books, DVDs and CDs. TextSwap.com lets college students exchange textbooks. You can swap pretty much anything on U-Exchange.com. To avoid fraud, make sure you only choose a reputable Web site that makes its members register.
Bartering could go wrong if it's not well-thought-out. Consider these tips from the University of Illinois Extension:
-- Be explicit with the details. If you're performing a service in exchange for something, make sure both parties know who will supply the required materials.
Also be clear on payment, deadlines and expectations. A written contract would be wise.
