One red paperclip for a house. Then what for a car?
Sunday, 26 October, 2008 at 5:06 PM 
It took a while to read the whole thing, but I finally finished reading the website that chronicled the barters of Kyle MacDonald. Ever hear of this guy? Inspired by a child's game, he started out on Craigs List and traded one red paperclip for a fish pen. Seriously. And on it went. Until he got a house.
A House. For a paper clip. A red one. But still.
You can read all about it over here.
The house is in Kipling Saskatchewan Canada, and according to his home page, he's now trading the house. For what? Depends...he seems to be wide open.
I think it's brillaint. People barter all the time. "Trade up" and stuff. So I've been wondering what I have that could be traded up until I have a car. Only I should be more specific. I have a car. I wonder what I have that could be traded up until I have a new or nearly-new way cool, energy-efficient, beautiful car that's in fabulous shape with low mileage? That's what I'm wondering today.
I have a sore throat. Sometimes when I'm fighting a bug, these are the kinds of things I wonder. Questions about the kinds of people who travel around trading things for other things. And how I can get in on some of this kind of action.
Now I'm going to veg some more of my Sunday afternoon minutes away online reading about other people who have traded up in a similar fashion, and find out what they traded for and what came of it. I barter from time to time. It makes sense to do so when you have skills and things people want. But for a house? Hmmm. This fascinates me.
Reader Comments (4)
Well I suppose it should be something useful, non breakable and easy to ship. the paperclip has been done, how about a shiny new pencil?
Hmmm! Shiny new pencil... could work. Or of course if I actually bothered to do this, I could entice with one of my one-of-a-kind pendants, couldn't I? I wonder how much effort this would actually take? (Says the woman who is always griping about being behind...)
Start with something practical and delicious like homemade chicken salad. I know people who would trade lungs, kidneys, and babies for your chicken salad. It is so delicious!!
You're a nut. Okay, Joseph Madre: what will you trade me for some of my chicken salad?
PS: Thank you. It is delicious, eh? (Had some yesterday. Sis described it as "divine." She's not given over to superfluous compliments. Heh.)