Posts: 11

1. 

   Make Your Escape, Before It's Too Late!

   12.Aug.08, 23:54 EDT
   
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       Burned out, stressed out ... or just totally drained?
   
       Call it what you want, it's something that we might all go through with owning our own business and in order to recharge our batteries, we need a break. When was the last time you truly gave to yourself? I mean really gave to yourself — pampered yourself, or celebrated yourself for everything you do? That long, huh?
   
       Vacations are a necessity — whether it's two weeks or two days. You owe it to yourself! There's a new word that I learned about first on MOLI, in the Life Balance message board, called a "staycation". It means spending a vacation close to home. Our Life Balance Expert Colette Ellis said, "While I do understand the economic constraints that we are facing due to increased prices for gas, food ... well, everything! I'm wondering: is the "staycation" really our best option for creating a better work life?"
   
       I, for one, am not a fan of the idea of a staycation, however sometimes you have to deal with your circumstances if you want to cut costs. Now a NYC transplant to South Florida, I feel like I'm on vacation all the time and have to remind myself to go to the beach now and then and really enjoy the weather. :)
   
       I know a few friends who use vacation time to catch up on de-cluttering their home, do some chores, run some extra errands, or maybe sleep in a little longer. Aside from the sleep ... the rest of that sounds like work to me! I'm sorry folks, but you're missing the point. It's time to get a life…
   
   Vacation (va·ca·tion): A period of time devoted to pleasure, rest, or relaxation, especially one with pay granted to an employee.
   
   You should have your head ducked under water, checking out exotic fish, not shoved in a dusty cardboard box digging through old 45s and books from the '80s. With stress levels being so high, it's so important to dedicate "me time" to ourselves.
   
   You scratch your head and say, "Yeah, yeah sounds good, Simone, but I'm strapped for cash." Don't worry, you know I'll take care of ya…
   
   Here are some vacation or staycation tips to help you save some money and yet still pamper yourself with a break!
   
   1. Stay close to home, but, please, leave! Try a weekend getaway at a bed and breakfast.
   
   2. Find timeshare rentals in or close to your town.
   
   3. This should be obvious, but, if at all possible, BARTER! As a member of a barter association, I can go to Mexico with $500 barter bucks! In various exchanges, I've seen locations as exotic as Jamaica and Thailand - all on barter. Find out more about travel and barter here.
   
   4. Volunteer! If you want to go to retreats and seminars, and not pay much for it, volunteering is the way to go. I remember being fresh out of college and wanting to attend some seminars that would set me back a pretty penny. So, instead of sulking and not going, I'd offer my bubblin' personality as a hostess. LOL! Smile, welcome, point to entrance. The job didn't get much harder than that. At one time, it saved me a cool $1,200 and I was able to see all of my favorite speakers. Of course, you still have to pay for hotel and travel, but if you're lucky, you'll find a friend in the area to crash with!
   
   Vacation, staycation, day spas, bed and breakfast ... whatever you do, do something — and give yourself the break that you deserve.
   
   Simone Kelly-Brown is the contributing editor for the MOLI Small Business Center. The Live the Good Life on Zero Cash column will appear every Monday. She is also the founder of The Give 'N Take Network, a national business networking and bartering system for women business owners.
   
   
    Keep Livin' Good,
   Simone
   
   

2. 

   It Takes Two: The Power of Collaboration

   22.Jul.08, 05:50 EDT
   
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   Many times, we think ONLY WE KNOW HOW TO DO IT RIGHT, we don't feel like training some bratty intern who is going to mess it all up, or we just don't have the time. Yes, these are the excuses I hear all the time from new clients who are pulling their hair out from stress, because they believe these myths of entrepreunuership.
   
   Psssssst … come a bit closer, I have a secret to share with you. It's the simplest thing on earth. ASK FOR HELP!
   
   We take for granted the amazing resources that are right at our fingertips, right in our PDAs, rolodexes, or that stack of business cards at the bottom of our desk drawers … there's no telling what we could accomplish!
   
   There are many things you can do with smart alliances and bartering with others to make it a win/win for everyone! Creating strategic alliances with someone who complements your business (as you do theirs) is what it's all about. Here are some examples that might even work for you!
   
   PROBLEM 1: Stacie B., Fashion Editor of an E-zine
   
   Stacie has a newsletter she writes each month. Gifted with amazing writing skills and knowledge of the latest fashion trends, Stacie always has her readers raving! The only problem is that "everyone" who reads it is her husband, two cousins, and some old co-workers.
   
   She has a college friend, Veronica, who owns a popular salon in Brooklyn. Veronica has gathered 6,000 names and e-mails in her database, since she's been in business. Her problem is that she is understaffed in marketing and has no time to send anything out to that amazing list, besides a discount every few months. She has no consistency and needs something to create repeat customers.
   THE SOLUTION: Joining Forces
   
   Stacie B. should start writing fashion and styling tips on the latest trends, feature Veronica's hair tips, some before and after photos of Veronica's clients, and even interview some of the clients who are the most trendy. Veronica will throw in a monthly discount that readers can only get by printing out the coupon and bringing it in to their appointment.
   
   Benefits:
   
       * This gives Stacies B. an audience to brand herself to and gain a new fan base.
       * Veronica didn't have time to write and edit a newsletter, but now Stacie will take control of that.
       * She gets to brand her salon more, improve her customer retention, and even highlight her clients who will LOVE being in the spotlight.
   
   
   
   PROBLEM 2: Jenny and Kevon's First Friday's Event
   
   Jenny and Kevon (a husband and wife team) are known for throwing the hottest parties in North Carolina. They just found a great new venue for their First Friday's event. There's a top-notch sound system, funky décor, sexy lighting, prime location, but the problem is … there's no food at this venue, only drinks. It's an after-work spot, so people usually come hungry after a long day on the job.
   
   THE SOLUTION: Joining Forces
   
   Kevon remembers a caterer who'd be able to come and sell food at a low cost to attendees, because the caterer is still building his business. So, they contact him to see if he'd be interested in sponsoring their event. In exchange, the caterer gives them a one-hour free buffet. Then after that, he sells full dinner plates for just $6.
   
   Benefits:
   
       * Kevon and Jenny will give the caterer loads of exposure.
       * There will be no more hungry party-goers and it will draw more of an early bird crowd to get the party started quicker.
       * The caterer's logo will be in party e-mail blasts with links to his website.
       * He'll have a banner at the event and flyers on all tables.
       * Both parties will share the e-mail list of new sign-ups from that night.
       * The caterer made a nice amount of money at the end of the night as well.
   
   So, you see how one hand washes the other? Start thinking about your joining forces solution and who can help you with a problem that you have with your business! Breeze through your address book and a lightbulb might just go off.
   
   Good luck!
   
   Keep Livin' Good,
   
   Simone
   

3. 

   Don't Bite of More Than You Can Chew!

   15.Jul.08, 06:27 EDT
   
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   Trading with others is loads of fun and an easy way to save your cash; from one-to-one barters to offering your goods to thousands in a barter exchange. It's true that once you get the hang of it, you can become a bartering machine! But hey … not so fast, Speedy Gonzalez, you might overload yourself if you're not careful. The goal is to create smart barters with balance. Here are some simple tips, so you don't bite of more than you can chew!
   
   Many people barter their services, from consulting, coaching, hairstyling, contracting, plumbing, you name it. We know that time is definitely valuable.
   
   So, before you say yes to a barter, ask yourself the following…
   
   1. How much extra time can I REALISTICALLY offer each week or month without over-extending myself or cutting into my paying client's time?
   
   2. What's my return looking like and when will it be delivered? You want to make sure this is clear. What if you spend five hours a week on a project and they don't fulfill your barter until two months from your date. Get it in writing first!
   
   3. Is the service something that can be delegated to another team member, intern, or volunteer to save me time?
   
   Dig Up Some Products and Perks
   
   Don't have the time? Search for some more buried treasures to offer up.
   
   1. Do you have access to tickets, events, restaurant discounts etc, that your barter client might need instead?
   
   2. Instead of getting you in the flesh, have you duplicated yourself in the form of a book, e-book, CD, DVD, or podcast? Informational products work wonders. You produce it one time and can reach thousands!
   
   3. Do you have extra inventory on a product that you can offer up?
   I remember when I first started bartering years ago, I was saying YES to a lot of things, because I wanted what they had. I also remember I went through a period of over-extending myself to the point of working overtime to fulfill the needs of cash-paying and barter paying clients. Remaining a person of my word means a lot to me.
   
   Your reputation as a person who comes from a place of integrity can go a long way and also be a predictor for how long you'll be in business. Needless to say, I kept my word after learning that STRESSFUL lesson of over-doing it. If you learn anything from my mistake, only barter when you absolutely know you have to resources and time to fulfill that order. Bartering should be fun, not a chore!
   
   Keep Livin' Good,
   
   Simone
   
   

4. 

   Give Power To Your Pen!

   12.Jul.08, 18:23 EDT
   
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   Writing doesn't come easy for everyone and, like any craft, it takes practice to develop the skill of wooing an audience with your words. Not everyone is blessed with eloquence and wittiness, but you can find a writing style that works for you and mold it into one of your most valuable and affordable marketing tools.
   
   Never underestimate the power of the written word. When you pitch someone in person about your company, certain things might remain on their minds more than others, depending on your tone, body language, and inflection. However, once that ink hits the paper, your message is there for them to absorb, dissect, and unfortunately even score two points in the office wastebasket.
   
   Remember, your writing represents you and your business. Everything you send out — whether it's an e-mail or a proposal, represents YOU. Don't feel intimidated and that you need an MFA in English in order to write your own marketing materials.
   
   What to Write?
   
   - How-To articles
   
   - Business trends for your industry
   
   - A weekly or monthly column in a magazine or e-zine
   
   - A book related to your industry and experience
   
   - Monthly newsletter
   
   - Press kit materials (bio, company backgrounder, etc.)
   
   - Website copy
   
   Note: Always include your byline in articles: (Your name, description of company, and contact information.)
   
   When you are writing about your topic, the expertise you are displaying is your soft sell. No need to bang people over the head with your credentials or your company's products and services. If you are sincerely helpful with your advice, (Own Your Power Communications can help you with your marketing efforts) people will remember you in the long run. (Call us today!) There's no need for subliminal messages throughout your text. :) Okay, so I'm being silly, but you get my point.
   
   - Come up with topic ideas you are well versed in and that are related to your industry
   
   - Go through your list of contacts and see who can help you get published (an article in a magazine, online newsletter, a review of a book or product, etc.)
   
   - Utilize any organizations you belong to, alumni, local newspapers, trade magazines (online and off), etc.
   
   - Surf the Internet and look for sites that might be in need of your content.
   
   Although you might not be paid with cash, your reward of putting your name in the face of the public is the trade-off!
   
   Do it Write!
   
   - Choose a style you feel most comfortable with and that also appeals to your audience. (Is it informative, provocative, humorous, conversational, etc.?)
   
   - Write with a purpose, each communication should focus on a point.
   
   - Know your audience and speak their language.
   
   - Never send a letter out the same day you write it. Look at it the next day and read it as if you were the target of the letter.
   
   Get Extra Eyes
   
   Hire a professional copyeditor to help you out or if it's something quick and you want to conserve your money, call on the extra eyes of friends, your Uncle Joe, co-workers, and employees to read your materials over for you. Sometimes there are things you won't catch, no matter how many times you review it!
   
   Benefits of Using Writing as a Marketing Tool
   
   - Writing increases your visibility and credibility, and helps establish you as an expert in your field. Experts are always in demand for writing and public speaking.
   
   - Not only are you branding yourself, your research needed to write various materials will keep you on your toes.
   
   - It reinforces your image and adds prestige.
   
   - Writing can be cost effective publicity.
   Low-Cost Promotion with a Dash of Bartering
   
   Think of all of the things that you need in order to get your book created.
   
   Editors, typesetter, book cover designer, photographer, PR, etc … If you know any people who can help you, you might want to offer them something in return. Maybe a page in the back of your book that's an advertisement for their business? Maybe in your e-mail blasts and on your website you promote them? Think out of the box just a little and you might not have to pay much to publish your first book. Many might barter with you but, if not, they might at least cut you some slack on the price.
   
   I was able to get sponsors for my first book, Jack of All Trades, Master of None. I had a bank sponsor my launch party where they paid for everything, I had a few people buy ads, and I bartered with others. Just put on your thinking cap and brainstorm about what you can offer someone before you reach into your wallet. For more self publishing tips and writing for your business, check out these websites:
   
   How to Use Writing for Your Business
   
   http://www.TheBookSistah.com
   
   http://www.bob-baker.com/self-publish-book/
   
   http://ezinearticles.com/?Less-is-More:-Editing-Your-Business-Writing&id=143666
   
   http://ezinearticles.com/?Short-Cut-Your-Books-Success-with-Self-Publishing&id=908875
   
   http://www.Lulu.com/
   
   http://www.iUniverse.com
   
   Good luck! Now, get to writing. :)
   
   Keep Livin' Good,
   Simone
   

5. 

   No Magic Genie Required To Grant Your Wishes

   02.Jul.08, 08:53 EDT
   
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   Would you love to eat at a lavish restaurant at least once a week? Itching to take that dream vacation to an exotic Island? You need to refurnish your home office, but ummmm ... it's not really in the budget right now. The mortgage, sky rocketing gas bills, and your kid's tuition seem to be taking center stage instead. Without taking on the guilt of enjoying life … you CAN get many of these things and live good. I mean really good by finding cool barters. I mean, come on, that's what this is all about, Livin' the Good Life, baby!
   
   A spark of creativity, a great connection, a desire to save, and a buried treasure or talent you possess are all you need. You can get what you desire with just some of those main ingredients to lead you to a trade that can blow your mind. I'll admit, finding good deals isn't always easy, but when you stumble upon someone who has something amazing to offer and is open to trading or, better yet, a member of a trade exchange that you're a member of, then GO FOR IT!
   
   I looked around and found some really interesting deals that others have been able to nail and wanted to share them with you.
   
   In Tallahassee, FL, a photographer traded for:

   - A year's lease of office space

   - A Jacuzzi tub

   - Pavers for landscaping

   - Hair, Nails, Massage, Permanent Makeup, and other personal services

   - Clothing and Shoes

   - Computers - Hardware and Services

   - Signage

   - Furniture

   - Print Advertising

   - Hotel Rooms

   - Concrete Patio

   - Restaurants
   In Brooklyn, NY, Publicist Fiona Bloom was able to get a week-long vacation in a luxurious villa in Barbados for publicity work. She did it not only once but two years in a row.
   
   In Boca Raton, FL, an owner of a human resources firm created custom employee handbooks and in exchange was able to rack up on:
   
   - A billiards table

   - Office furniture

   - Event tickets

   - Restaurants
   
   On barternews.com they mentioned a barter and cash mixed that was a great savings for hotel rooms:
   
   

   <blockquote>- Koh-I-Noor, a manufacturer of artists' instruments in Bloomsbury (NJ), bartered trade credits held in its account with Active Travel for accommodations at a hotel in Woodcliff Lake (NJ) for a four-day meeting. Jeffrey Murray, manager of sales promotion, education, and training, said, "The rate for a single room was $130, but, by bartering, we saved a third off that amount and paid a rate of only $80."
   
   - Hi-tec, a division of a UK-based athletic shoe manufacturer, is getting more than just a reduced room rate when it holds its annual sales meeting for 150 attendees at a Fort Lauderdale resort. Hi-tec paid 35% of the room bill in trade credits along with 25% of its food and beverage costs.</blockquote>

   Some of my very own favorites that I've been able to barter are marketing coaching for:

   - Web design

   - Pampering (massages, manicures, pedicures, and facials)
   
   Ghost Writing for Someone:

   - Getting my office, living room, and dining room redecorated and painted.
   
   Team Motivation presentations for a salon's staff:

   - My hair done whenever I'd like, on the house!
   
   Now you have an idea of some things that others are doing in the barter world. Pick up your own magic lamp to conjure up your own barters that rock. Who needs a genie?

   Keep Livin' Good,

   Simone
   

   
   

6. 

   Barter is Smarter...

   24.Jun.08, 08:50 EDT
   
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   Meeting and incentive businesses can utilize barter to boost sales production and also to eliminate excess inventory. It's easy, it's smart, and it works like a charm. I'm such as fan of this industry, since I've been able to accumulate so much for my business and personal life on barter.
   
   According to barter industry icon Don Mardak, whose company, IMS, is one of the world's biggest barter companies, savvy meeting and incentive professionals are discovering that bartering is a great vehicle for moving excess space, attracting new customers, and generating barter dollars that can be used for advertising and other business expenses. I've been hosting my networking event for over six years and I never pay for a location, because I've been able to find a way to bring value to my venues with promoting them to my lists.
   
   How it Works With a Barter Exchange
   
   In its simplest form, bartering involves an equal trade. One business swaps an item or service for another. And through professional barter exchanges where members pay a commission fee for goods or services traded, more complex trades are possible.
   
   However, Here's How a Barter Transaction is Completed in an Exchange:
   
   1. A business lists an item or service for trade through the barter exchange. Using an actual exchange helps make the process easier and gives you exposure to thousands, as opposed to working on your own deals by yourself.
   
   2. In return, the business receives a trade credit based on the dollar value of the item or service offered.
   
   3. It can then use those trade credits to "purchase" goods or services offered by other members. As a result, that business is paired with a rich, varied network of actively bartering businesses.
   
   What Trading Can Do For You
   
   Bartering enables meeting and incentive businesses to trade for the goods and services they need. Trading downtime or excess inventory is a particularly good way to accumulate barter credits, says Mardak.
   
   If you happen to have excess inventory, you can liquidate the merchandise for a reduced profit. Or, as an alternative, you can trade that merchandise through a barter exchange and often receive trade credit for its full wholesale value. You can then use those trade credits to purchase the services or products you need to plan your next meeting.
   
   Gaining New Customers
   
   According to Mardak, bartering can also provide independent planners with a new vehicle for marketing your business. Barter exchanges bring buyers and sellers together, potentially creating a new customer base. And barter can positively impact your bottom line, since companies that actively barter may do as much as 5 to 10 percent of their business annually through trades.
   
   How A Barter Exchange Functions
   
   Barter exchanges, which typically charge a one-time membership fee, offer the advantage that they don't require an even trade. You can use credits accumulated for one item to trade for several different items that together add up to your total credits.
   
   I've been offering coaching services in my exchange for barter dollars and I'm loving the response! Many look for business services such as marketing, finance, printing, advertising. However, there are also travel deals, pampering services, and I even saw dental services, permanent make-up and even...get ready, plastic surgery in the exchange. Who knew? LOL. I said this before in my blog and I'll say it again ... be aware that barter and cash transactions are the same in the eyes of the Internal Revenue Service. Both are taxed equally. In fact, bartering exchanges must report goods and services sold through barter to the IRS.
   
   Like sales, bartering offers no guarantees. Some trades happen quickly, others take some time. Also, the quantity of certain goods and services available may fluctuate during the year. You must weigh the disadvantages against the advantages, but bartering can turn your downtime or excess inventory into valuable commodities. It increases sales while enabling you to purchase the goods or services you need without dipping into your cash. Barter is oh, so much smarter. Isn't it time you try it out?
   
   Keep Livin' Good,
   
   Simone
   
   

7. 

   Tap Into Your Buried Treasures

   16.Jun.08, 23:21 EDT
   
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   It's about time you tapped into your buried treasures, don't ya think?
   
   I tell my clients all the time, that your list is GOLD. After years of networking and cultivating my contacts, I've been able to build a nice sized mailing list. I developed my own event and women's network…and although I didn't know it at the time. It was the start of something big.
   
   I started to see a demand to get in touch with my audience of women entrepreneurs and the resources I have access to. I finally realized what my buried treasure was. In addition, I have my marketing background that can help out many of my business partners. My podcast that can give them more exposure is definitely a plus as well. So, when I need something that I might want to spend the cash on, I dig into my pot of buried treasures and see if I can find a match for my prospect.
   
   Now, I've seen many people shy away from the idea of bartering, because they don't realize what their buried treasure is. They don't realize that what they are sitting on is probably worth a lot more than they think. Do you have something that you might not even realize is of value to the next businessperson?
   
   What's your buried treasure that you haven't tapped into?
   
   Contacts: Do you have a healthy mailing list and address book? Do you network a lot and know who's who. From business referrals to cool restaurants to dine in … you never know what you can offer people. If you can be the GO-TO PERSON for many, trust me, you'll be a valuable asset to many!
   
   Skills: What are you trained in? Are you an amazing presenter or chef? Can you design websites, teach Belly Dancing, make handbags? Are you a wiz in Finance, Art, or Producing Commercials? What are some things you do full-time and even in your spare time that is a talent that you can offer to the world?
   Knowledge (insider secrets): I'm not talking stock exchange now, I don't want you to get locked up. I don't think you can barter bail. LOL! But maybe you were the first in your industry to do something different. Are you a copywriting pro for e-mail marketing campaigns? Do you know how to beat parking tickets? (True story … a woman at one of my events bartered these tips with another woman for business tips. She used to be a parking attendant.)
   
   Spend a few minutes brainstorming and build up your list of things you have access too and I'm sure you'll be very surprised.
   
   Ask yourself:
   
   What do you have access to, what can you do better than anyone else you know?
   
   Ask yourself, what's your buried treasure? What do you have that's a pot of gold to someone else? What do you have The key is bartering smart is where you don't have to use too much energy or time. It might be something you have right now collecting dust in your garage, something as simple as an overstock of inventory, maybe?
   
   When you're bartering with individuals on a one-to-one barter, here are some tips.
   
   Some guidelines to keep in mind before you get started:
   
   • When working on projects for each other, our goal should be to MEET AND EXCEED the needs of that person.
   
   • We all have expertise in various areas and can do incredible things as long as we see eye-to-eye and are in agreement before we get started.
   
   • The barter can be considered a short-term partnership. You do your part and I'll do mine. Therefore, take the focus off of "me" and put it on "we".
   
   • Don't know the person's work? Ask for up to three referrals of past customers. It's up to YOU and no one else to do the research before you come to an agreement.
   • Do your best. Your work and attitude is a reflection of you. People make decisions about you based on your work ethics. Always remember, your reputation is your wealth!
   
   • Be professional. Treat others the way you would like to be treated.
   
   • Be responsible. Manage your time and commitments. Confirm meetings a day before. If you are going to be late or can't make a meeting, please be conscious of each other's time. Missing meetings and being irresponsible doesn't sit well with anyone and quite frankly you might not get a second chance! Don't burn your bridges ... you never know who can help you.
   
   • Pay attention, listen, and take notes, so that "we" understand what the job entails and "we" can deliver on the services. There may be details that are not included in the agreement.
   
   • Professionalism, sensitivity, consideration, respect, and integrity are key attributes to not only operating within a barter network, but in business in general. It's important to be authentic and be true to our word. Our WORD is so important!
   
   How Does It Work?
   
   • Discuss exactly what you are doing for each other. Describe services/products and expectations up front so that there are no surprises in the end.
   
   • Be clear about what you charge. It's hard to barter with someone who doesn't have a set fee structure or who can't tell you how much they charge for specific services. Barter dollar for dollar. I'll give you $500 worth of work for $500 worth of work. When bartering, keep a list of SPECIFIC deliverables for each barter session.
   
   • Put all details IN WRITING. What is the monetary value? What are you both delivering? What's the deadline? Have both parties SIGN the agreement. It doesn't have to be filled with legalese that no one understands! Contracts are highly recommended. If you're not paying cash, that does NOT mean that you don't have expectations of deliverables. Bartering is a valid business deal just like any other. If you start putting things down in a contract, the other person is less likely to behave unprofessionally.
   
   After the Barter is Completed...
   
   Don't just end it there, keep the relationship going:
   
   • Provide each other with testimonials for your website and/or marketing materials
   
   • Refer clients to one another and offer a finders fee of 10-15%
   
   • Exchange website links
   
   • Offer discounts to each other for future cash paying projects
   
   • Do a personal assessment. Provide them with a survey to get feedback on your performance. See where you are doing a great job and where you can use some improvement. You know what you did well and the areas that you need to improve. Make a commitment to do better the next time.
   
   I'm sorry, but I can't end without telling you that Big Brother is watching you. Good Old Uncle Sam does want you to tell him about your barter deals.
   
   In fact, the IRS offers no loophole whatsoever for bartered transactions. According to the IRS, the fair market value of bartered products and services must be included in income during the tax year it is received. Make sure you speak with your accountant to find out how to file.
   
   Keep Livin' Good,
   
   Simone
   
   
   

8. 

   The Future's Looking Scary For Our Pockets....

   13.Jun.08, 10:15 EDT
   
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   I’m getting depressed… At the Shell around the corner from my house, regular gas is $4.01 today. What the heck is going on? I feel like we’re in the Twilight Zone. I miss when I was in college and could fill up my little car with $10 bucks. Ah…The good old days.
   
   I laughed when I saw the gas prices in the most recent Will Smith Blockbuster, I am Legend when they showed prices for $6.63 USD for regular Mobil gas.
   Talk about inflation!
   
   
   
   Seemed crazy, but now it’s absolutely pretty darn close.
   
   
   Gas is just one of the things that’s making me want to hold onto my money even more. Cheap? Let’s just say I’m thrifty. LOL I sometimes drive with the windows open even if it’s hot outside, I’m trying to economize! And I know that I’m not alone. Browsing online all you see are ways you can save money, which is why I’m not surprised the topic of bartering is a hot topic in the media.
   
   Check out some new articles stating why most professionals are starting to get hip to the idea of trading goods and services.
   
   1. Be it person-to-person, small businesses or Fortune 500 corporations, the barter landscape is growing amid a stalled economy.
   
   2.As the economy slows, a growing number of consumers are trying to find a wider market for their goods and services by offering to barter them.
   
   
   With gas being the way it is, it’s not long before we’re all bartering and driving scooters!
   
   
   
   Keep Livin’ Good,
   Simone
   
   
   
   
   

9. 

   The Big Shots are Bartering, Why Aren't You?

   09.Jun.08, 12:39 EDT
   
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   I know some folks might think trading is only for the “small fries.” Don’t think it’s only for people who need to be creative, because they are strapped for cash. The "Big Macs" are getting in on it too. Rich business people are rich because they are creative with their partnerships and know how to strike a lucrative deal. It’s very true: Bartering is one of the best ways to hold onto your money. Simply ask some “Big Macs” like our friends Oprah, Donald, and Martha. Why not follow in their footsteps and embrace the world of bartering?

   Bartering for the Big Ballers

   Oprah Winfrey OWN a Television Network Now
   Discovery Communications and Oprah Winfrey have announced a deal where the Discovery Health network will be bartered to Winfrey next year, and become OWN — the Oprah Winfrey Network. OWN will premiere in 2009 with a distribution in 70 Million U.S. Homes and will be simulcast in HD.
   
   The cash-free transaction involved Winfrey turning over half ownership of her
   website (6 million unique visitors a month) to Discovery, while the communications company makes her chairman of the network. Sweet deal, don’t you think? The two entities will be joint owners, i.e. 50/50 in ownership and profits.
   
   Donald Trump Places His Bets in This Barter
   Donald, chairman and CEO, bartered options in his Trump Hotel & Casino Resorts to acquire shares in Riviera Holding Corp., the Las Vegas casino company that owns the Riviera casino. The Riviera shares will help in his pursuit of a license to operate other casinos in Nevada, as Nevada authorities require applicants to own a stake in a casino before applying for a casino license.
   
   Martha Stewart Reality?
   Reality TV czar Mark Burnett created a reality show with Martha Stewart in 2005. The popular producer pursued Stewart and structured a lucrative trade enabling him to gain a stake in long-term revenue streams. Burnett secured the right to buy 2.5 million Martha Stewart Living shares.
   
   There’s Enough To Go Around For Us All
   
   

   • For entrepreneurs and small business owners typically, trades can range from $10 to $10,000.
   • For larger companies there's the corporate barter, where domestic trading of goods and services is practiced primarily at $500,000 and above, with many deals in the millions.
   • Internationally, major corporations, and governments themselves, engage in trade where a direct deal begins in the high six figures. Worldwide, total transactions are valued at tens of billions of dollars, annually.

   We watch their shows, read their biographies, surf their sites, and fantasize about rolling around on a fluffy fur rug in their money (Oh, okay, maybe that’s just me. LOL.) So, you see, small business owners are just a piece of the pie in the world of barter. THE BARTER INDUSTRY ALONE CONSISTS OF OVER 600,000 companies involved worldwide that barter their products and services through trade exchanges and corporate barter companies. It’s a currency that many don’t take seriously and even though it’s not pure cash, it’s your time, resources, and/or products you are giving in exchange. Why not take a little lesson from how these shot callers are saving their millions, so you can work on MAKING yours. Who wants to fantasize forever, right?
   
   Keep Livin’ Good,
   Simone

   
   

10. 

    Beauty Shop Barters: Closing Deals Under the Dryer...

    08.Jun.08, 20:07 EDT
    
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    While I was sitting under the dryer at my favorite salon in Miami, my stylist and I talked about the next time I’d come by and coach her staff on marketing. It’s just one of my favorite barters I do every other month or so and I get my hair styled in exchange.
    
    During our beauty shop banter where we discussed everything from business to relationships, the small group began to bond. There was a gentleman who just had his locks done, sitting next to me under the dryer.
    
    He lifted up the dryer so that I could hear him better, “What exactly is it that you do again? You wrote a book or something right?”
    “Yes and I’m a marketing coach.”
    He asked more about what I did and after explaining how I work, he said, “Oh, so your like a marketing trainer in a sense. I need one of those, someone to hold me accountable. Please send me some more info, I’d like to find out how coaching can help me.” I emailed him the next day some info.
    
    After reviewing my rates, he admitted he didn’t have it in his budget right now, but wanted to discuss further. Of course, the wheels started turning in my head, and I remembered that he was a photographer and I’ll need one soon for one of my upcoming events. He was referred to me in the past, so I knew he was good. NOTE: You should check out people’s references before agreeing to anything and always get it in writing.
    
    If you’re going to have to spend money on something anyway, why not barter when you can? I like to make smart choices and not just barter with 'anyone'. I always ask myself is this something I really NEED, before I over extend myself. Especially if it’s a barter that includes my time.
    
    Like for instance,I love a cash and barter mix when someone has something I really need. I have a client who owns a salon and I get paid a monthly retainer in cash, however if I’m in need of a mani-pedi, then just put on my tab. Well, the tab just essentially comes out of my monthly retainer check. However, I was going pay for a pedicure and manicure anyway, right?
    
    I know, I know you might say..'Come on Simone, pedicures are not a necessity.' I'm going to be honest, I am so not the ‘girly, girl type’, but um…I beg to differ! When you live in South Florida and your toes are out 90% of the time, oh yes indeed it is a necessity. It’s apart of the wardrobe and your marketing package, and Ladies, don’t you forget it! LOL When I lived in NY, maybe I could get away with missing a few weeks, hiding them in boots, but here, not a chance.
    
    So, I digress…I did say this is about living the good life on zero cash didn’t I? :) Just because the economy is going the way it is, why should you have to change your lifestyle at all?
    
    In the last couple of months, I’ve been bartering with my hairstylist, a nail salon, a massage therapist and even an interior designer. Next, I’m on the hunt for a cruise and of course anything including some pampering. I love me some pampering. LOL Keep an eye out for me will ya?
    
    Keep Livin' Good,
    Simone
    
    
    
    

11. 

    My Love Affair With Barter

    02.Jun.08, 01:31 EDT
    
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    One of my favorite ways to save cash for my personal life and business is through barter. It started back in 1994 when I was an intern at a record label in the marketing department. I learned early on that it was about who you knew and I made every little intern errand a networking excursion. Delivering interoffice mail, getting someone’s lunch, running some lowly gopher errand…that was okay with me, because I was reaping the benefits of amazing connections and of course the free music and tickets to concerts didn’t hurt either.
    
    The promotion departments always had surplus CDs they’d give away to staff. Each floor I’d run errands on, there was a beat up card-board box in the hallway marked, “give aways”. What I didn’t realize is that on the other side of the building, which was Double Day books…they had the same beat up box deal. I met a lot of friends in the cafeteria who worked there and would ask me about any music that I had.
    “Hey, Simone, you got the new Toni Braxton or WuTang Clan?”
    “Sure, I heard that new Stephen King came out. Can you meet me after work with it?”
    And the deal was set. That was my introduction into the wonderful world of barter.
    
    Do you really know what barter is? The basic definition is -- the exchange of resources or services for mutual advantage, and dates back to the beginning of humankind. Bartering certainly pre-dates the use of money. Today individuals, organizations, and governments still use, and often prefer, bartering as a form of exchange of goods and services.
    
    
    I was in love when I started to realize how many things I could get this way. Once I graduated from college, I was promoted in the company and had even more access to music. I also started my own side business as a marketing coach.
    
    At that time, I would treat myself to a massage at a local spa to get the knots out of my neck from long hours on the computer working two jobs. My massage therapist and I became friendly and she told me she was leaving the spa to branch out on her own. Of course, the light bulb went off in my head. I said to her, “You’re definitely going to need marketing and you know I love massages. So, let’s make a deal.”
    
    She agreed to my proposition and we’d meet each week about marketing ideas and then after the meeting, she’d graciously thank me with a deep tissue massage. Ahhhh.. was I in heaven or what? Since then, I’ve learned how to acquire things such as expensive magazine advertising for my business, acupuncture, Holistic Health Counseling, One on One Training at the gym and of course even more spa services (pedicures, facials, massage) all on BARTER!
    
    My friends jokingly call me the Barter Queen and in 2002, I even launched my own organization for women based on networking in barter, called The Give ‘n Take Network. I love teaching others how to take advantage of their hidden talents. The other thing to keep in mind and that many barters can turn into cash clients or a barter and cash mix. Since of course, your mortgage company might not take barter. LOL So, of course you have to generate income. It’s all about balance.
    
    Remember folks, it’s all about ACCESS. What do you have access to? Good, services, connections? Think deep about your buried treasures, because you have something that WE all want. Just tap into it!
    
    Keep Livin' Good,
    Simone