Your barter-able skillz

[cyndi]

<FONT size=3>Like most of you&nbsp;I would be more apt to (happily)&nbsp;give-away what I have, because I am a big believer in paying it forward.</FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>I'm also very happy to pay someone I trust for things like vehicle maintenance, renovations, housework and many other things that I either don't like doing, don't have the knowledge to do or am incapable of doing.</FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>What can I/you do that you could barter or get paid for doing?</FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>I can cook a great meal.</FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>editing/writing</FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>research</FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>dog training/pet sitting</FONT><FONT size=3>/large animal care</FONT><BR><br><FONT size=3>property watch</FONT><br><BR><FONT size=3>MS Word</FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3>Desktop Publishing</FONT>&nbsp;<BR><BR><FONT size=3>hmmm.... the list used to be so much longer.</FONT><BR><FONT size=3><B>edited to add:</B></FONT><BR><FONT size=3><B><EM>It might not be a bad idea to add your location to your post, or as Brian said, update your profile to include your location.&nbsp; This would definitely be a list i would look to for help with projects!</EM></B><BR><B><EM></EM></B>&nbsp;<BR>I'm going to include my location in my signature<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT><BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><FONT size=3></FONT>&nbsp;<BR><BR><br>

 

[karl]

Thanks for starting this- it is a good exercise to evaluate what we can do, and most will underestimate their talents.&nbsp; <br>My list used to be longer too- I used to know everything......<br>I'm pretty good at making wood do what I want- carpenter/cabinet maker/builder as a career<br>I can weld a bit and work with steel to some degree<br>know plumbing enough to be licensed once upon a time.<br>Comfortable with residential wiring<br>can do some vehicle maintenance/repairs on older vehicles at least.<br>Passable equipment operator.<br>know a bit about sawmills and lumber<br><br>The abilities that I haven't learned to make money with but have rewarded me in other ways seem more important these days;<br>I can listen with compassion<br>I can be a friend<br>I can be wrong.<br><br><br><br>

 

[Dust of the Sun]

I'm wondering are there those among the permanent vantrampers (is that term acceptable?? I'm a newbie to this) that are now operating a mobile business offering skills in return for barter...camping free...hard cash?? Examples would be Bob the forum owner who has solar skills (by the way I want to get with you Bob on a personal dialogue too) and my pen friend who lives in her van and does carpentry and kitchen renovations and on my prodding, is starting to offer total van conversions...so what skills are you guys finding a market for on the road. Solar, mechanic, van conversions, carpentry, these come to mind quickly but are there any unique mobile businesses you guys are currently operating?? And then, since marketing is my life long pursuit I'd be wondering how you market those skills or services as you travel?? Anybody willing to share what they are doing?? I don't think pet-sitting will cut it these days for example (By the way that's what I did, horse-sitting, so I could get close to and learn about horses...see what happens, now I co-own a Show Clydesdale!!!) Mobile farrier might be a good example?? There must be some Out-Of-The-Box Thinking Mobile Businesses for Vantrampers????<br>

 

[Les H]

Sorry Dust of the sun, I'm almost a carbon copy of Karl. I'm a liscensed and insured general contractor. (above a handyman, below a building company)with a degree in horticulture and land management. I began as a landscaper and "evolved" into year round building and remodeling. I do enjoy working with stone, but not much call for that in a mobile dwelling.

 

[Guest]

<font size="3" face="Arial">Pretty much anything that involves manual labor can be done on the road.<br>As you pointed out -<i> lots </i>of people 'don't feel like' or simply don't have the knowledge/skills/tools to do the job.<br>Finding those jobs depends on your own determination, creativity and initiative. It helps to have your own tools/equipment with you.<br>How you get paid : cash, paypal, barter....is up to you and whoever you work with, depending on what you need at the time.</font><br><font size="3" face="Arial">Bartering is great for a phone card or a free (safe) place to park and a meal but it isn't going to pay your vehicle insurance or registration/license renewals.<br></font><br>

 

[sl1966]

If you happen to have the right tools, you can do quite a bit in the world of computers.<div><br></div>

 

[Guest]

<font face="Arial">Yes, sir!<br>I have plenty of computer 'tools' and equipment <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0">..but I also carry two (automotive) tool boxes, one electrical tool box, painting tools/equipment, weedeater, hedger, blower, several power tools, chargers and extension cords.<br>All that stuff...and I find more work with a shovel, rake &amp; broom or a bucket, mop, rags &amp; cleaners. It's always the hard, dirty work that people are more likely to pay you to do. Funny how they'll whine about $40 to scan, clean, optimize and customize their computer ...but they'll happily pay you $50 to clean out their garage or yard.<br>And the garage/yard cleaning usually comes with cold drinks and a sandwich!</font><br><br><br>

 

[supergypsy]

I am a massage therapist and I keep my massage Chair in my van<br>Housekeeping<br>Landscaping and&nbsp;yard work<br>Hair Wraps<br>Making Jewelry and clothing<br>FIREWOOD (I grew up with wood heat and absolutely love helping people with their firewood)<br><br>I believe that's it for my "barter able" skills...<br><br>

 

[fwiw]

I'm good with computers.<br>Fishing.<br>I have a good understanding of biology and water chemistry.... So would be the go to guy for aquarium/pet issues.&nbsp; <br><br>

 

[AvitorJake]

Hey,<div><br></div><div>My barter able skills:&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Writing: Resume, Job Application, Etc MS Word</div><div>Basic Mechanics: Oil Changing, Fluids, etc.&nbsp;</div><div>Housecleaning:&nbsp;</div><div>Car/RV Washing/Detailing:&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>That's just a few I can come up with. Oil changes are my best bet as far as making money is concerned. I find pleasure in doing that simple task. Save the RV owners $$ from taking it to CW/GS get it done there.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Best Regards,<br><br>Jake</div>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<P>I'm just "eye candy", what can I say? <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif">&nbsp; </P><P>Cake. I can bake hot milk cake with praline icing. Little Sanitee works well to bake in.<BR><BR><BR><FONT color=#ff00ff><B>Dragonfly</B></FONT><BR></P>

 

[twokniveskatie]

Nice reboot on a good topic!<div><br></div><div>I would so pay or barter for neck and shoulder massages on the road. Mutt is useless with those paws of his.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I make stuff, like hats and some up cycled and repurposed garments. I don't do custom stuff any more, but try to keep stuff made for the choosing.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I am good at organizing stuff.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Yikes, there should be more. All those years of nursing, should be something usefull I can be good for. Not much call for bedbaths, enemas or IV's on the road. &nbsp;</div><div>I'll think of something.&nbsp;</div>

 

[Seraphim]

Photography: wedding, portrait, landscape, art, limited commercial and architectural on the road ( can't carry a lot of accessories)

Writing: poetry, persuasive, term papers (if I'm familiar with the topic or have time to research)

Workshops (beginning through advanced) on poetry and photography (technical and composition)

Proof reading, editing , web publishing.

Substitute teaching, tutoring in English or any aspect of interpersonal communications including reading.

Basic web sites. Nothing involving scripting, or flash, etc

Basic automotive repair and maintenance. No real bodywork unless pulled a trailer with compressor and tools.

Basic home repairs. Can do a material estimate and build small structures. Basic electrical and plumbing repairs and installations. Copper, PVC, circuit breakers, etc. Painting. Really enjoy doing tedious tile work, for some odd reason. Find it relaxing.

Nothing having to,do with growing things. I have a black thumb. Hate yard work though I can cut grass or shovel snow. Great at supervising other people working *grin*

If an extended period of time, martial arts instructor - might work for a parking spot behind a Korean or Okinawan dojo, and bathroom and shower privileges lol. assuming they have a shower.

Initial firearms training: handling, sight alignment, etc. Enough to make a personal comfortable, safe, and consistent. Requires a firearm and a place to shoot, however.

Very basic screen printing on a very small scale.

Jeesh - looking back over 5 decades, Ive had a lot of hobbies....

 

[yesican]

<p></p><p>I can cook---but you wouldn't want to eat it.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I can fix your vehicle---but you'd probably only&nbsp;get a block down the road.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I can build you a shed---it will be sturdy but plain.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">I can sing---but you'll wanna wear earplugs.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">You'll trip over my organization skills.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">If you need a catheter, an IV, understand how to use medications and control symptoms of disease, or other home medical needs---that I do well.&nbsp; I teach how to care for yourself during a disease process.&nbsp; Currently its mostly modern medicine but I am learning more and more natural approaches.&nbsp; And...I'm good with pets...all except spiders.&nbsp; No spiders.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Rae</p>

 

[dborla01]

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Interesting blog. I am a Certified Dental Technician with an A.S degree and specialize in dentures and partials, and own a laboratory.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; My wife is a Denturist and licensed to see the public, like a dentist is. <br>So...we offer dentures and partials and mouth guards and we service implants and we also do relines and repairs and make Flippers, etc. at our office in Oregon.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We do sliding scale work and we are a lot less expensive than going to a dentist for treatment. Darrell <img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>

 

[judycmomx6]

Wow! All ya'll can do alot that you could trade or get paid to do! And there are alot of people who are on S.S. disability that are on this forum, so I would imagine that there would be a huge need for the medical people out on the road. And again, because of being disabled they could very well be in need of someone to do the physically heavy duty stuff. All I can do is make and repair jewelry, and a very small amount of sewing. But if you break your bracelets and necklaces, I'm the go-to girl! I know whenever I get on the road, I'm going directly to Calif. and find Bob to put in my solar, cause I couldn't even begin to understand all that crazy electrical stuff! Bob, think about what kind of jewelry you might like, I can make some awesome men's jewelry!&nbsp;