Barter facts for kids
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Barter is a way of trading things without using money. It means swapping one item or service for another. For example, you might trade your comic book for a friend's video game. The things being traded are usually thought to be of similar worth, but no cash changes hands.
Bartering is useful when two people each have something the other person wants. They agree on what to swap and then make the trade. This can also happen with services. Imagine a plumber fixing a leaky tap at a winery. Instead of being paid with money, they might get a crate of wine for their work.
The main challenge with bartering is finding someone who wants exactly what you have, and who also has what you need. This is called the "double coincidence of wants." For instance, if you need new shoes and your neighbor has them, but you only have eggs to trade, and your neighbor needs milk, not eggs, then a direct barter won't work. This is where money becomes very helpful. With money, you can pay for the shoes, and your neighbor can then use that money to buy milk from a store. Money makes trading much easier and more flexible.
Images for kids
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An 1874 newspaper picture showing a man bartering farm goods for his newspaper subscription.
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Scandinavian and Russian traders swapping their goods in 1555.
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'White traders bartering with the Indians' around 1820.
See also
In Spanish: Trueque para niños
