When this recession first hit, my gut reaction was high unemployment rates in the state and nation would take many years to come down. A new study out today shows researchers believe California's unemployment rate won't fall below 10% until the fourth quarter of 2012, revising their previous third quarter prediction. Frankly I still think that scenario may be a little optimistic.
There are so many jobs that will have to morph or evolve as we find our way forward in this still shaky global economy. So, for now, how are people moving forward? Well, today we did a story on a couple forced to live out of their van because of the downturn in the hard-hit construction industry. That couple got creative. They moved to California, and took out an ad in a local paper offering to work in return for room and board. An 85 year old answered and is having them renovate his home. They plan to move in soon. I might add they appear to be on the up-and-up although, no doubt, there is risk in a scenario like this. However, they are not the only ones out there doing something like this. I personally know a local couple renovating a home in return for not having to pay rent.
We asked our viewers on Facebook if they had any other stories to share about how they barter too...and got some good ones. Here's a sampling:
"I have a friend who is licensed to cut hair and my hubby knows how to fix cars. So he fixed her car and we got some free haircuts for the whole family. Then we knew someone who was selling a kids bed, but needed work on a dirt bike. So hubby fixed the dirt bike and we got the bed for our son."
"My husband owns a side business doing custom exhaust on cars. He's traded his services for website work, graphic design work, car parts, car detailing, yard work, household repairs -- he even traded an exhaust job for a pinball machine!"
"For neighbors, I have an electrician, painter, and cabinet maker. I have bartered my auto mechanic skills numerous times in exchange for their expertise."
"Traded flowers from my garden for fresh vegetables from my friends garden. It was fun. My roses didn't got to waste, nor did her veggies."
Is it part of a new economy? Well, bartering's been around for centuries, but I'd venture to guess it's happening more often with cash so tight these days. And with the help of free sites like Craigslist, it's also easier than ever...
