MY AMISH MONEY MAKEOVER

For centuries, the Amish have bartered with one another and Englishers too, trading their skills and goods for their neighbors’. Often, both parties get exactly what they want, and no money has changed hands.

To Do: What services or skills do you have that you could trade for something else? Find a bartering Web site that suits you, and post your goods and services; also, post the goods and services you’d love to acquire in trade. Start asking around your circle of friends and acquaintances for bartering opportunities, or post what you’ve got to offer on a social networking site. Think about stuff lying around your house, like the Precious Moments figurine collection Great-Aunt Edna left you in her will. Throw a swap party with your pals or by yourself. You’ll offload stuff you don’t want and gain stuff you do want—for free!