Bartering is a great way to not pay those taxes to the government!

Over the years we've done a bit of bartering, mainly for meat. DH has done some mechanical jobs for people and has recieved beef(especially during the BSE time when farmers couldn't sell cattle), bison, and arctic char. We really need to find some farmers who raise pigs and chickens and we'll be set!lol

My hairdresser is not in a salon, rather she does it in her own home, so she does not charge me the taxes. Although, it may be built into the cost she charges me without me knowing. That is possible. Never asked her before.

Laurie, don't you have room on your acreage for a little chicken coop? Put up a fence and have a few pigs for the summer???

Brenda

Yes, Brenda, we have the room, but not the will!LOL I also think that because we're just under the 10 acres that the RM doesn't allow livestock on that small a parcel of land. My dad's always threatening to leave us a couple of cows in our "corral" though. Problem is, that would take care of the veggies that I've got planted in there!lol

Brenda, I'll barter with you for the name of your hairdresser that only charges $18 for a wash, cut & style! LOL

GC, are you willing to drive out here every 6 weeks?

I am sure that between Laurie, Marg and I, we probably could put you up for the night.

GC, what are the going prices for haircuts where you live?

Brenda

I run a small business and would never admit to bartering on the internet ;0)

You have to be so careful. My dad offered a cash deal to a guy years ago and his reply was that he works for Revenue Canada. Yikes! But I guess in a really small community it goes on all the time, it's like the culture. It may also be that your hairdresser makes less than $3000 per year cutting hair, and is not expected to charge tax. I think that's how it works anyway.

I don't know, maybe the tax is already inside the price she charges.

I guess that bartering is like...you look after my kids while I go shopping and then later when you need to go out I will look after your kids.

A plant exchange can also be like bartering... if you have an expensive plant you may barter for 2 lesser valued plants or something else in exchange.

I bet there is a lot of services each of us has that we could exchange with someone else. We are all blessed with so many God given abilities. Browsing the web, in the Thrifty Fun site, there was an article in there on doing just that...exchanging one service/item for another from someone else...thereby benefiting both parties.

Brenda

Whenever I have to hire someone to fix or install something I offer cash and they lower the price.

DH has has a small business and we are forever being hassled, especially for GST. They once froze our bank account and I couldn't buy groceries all over $200.00!

The paperwork for Taxes on a small business is overwhelming and we still have to pay for our "benefits".

I say "Too bad Revenue Canada!

Drive out every 6 weeks? Not with the price of gas these days, although not having to pay accomodation almost makes up for it... :)

For a haircut I pay $40 + gst, plus a hefty tip... and I'm sure she plans it so I have to see her every 4 weeks. I gave up colours at the salon because it was getting out of control. I think the last one had done was $70, and that was actually cheaper than most places!

My oldest daughter is a hairdresser. She rubs my back and in turn I rub hers. It is definately a benefit for me.
I think that I need to talk one of my other kids to go into massage therapy.
Shelley