SWAP THIS
How to live well on practically nothing

Swap: to exchange, barter, or trade, as one thing for another: He swapped his wrist watch for the radio. –verb (used without object) 2. to make an exchange. –noun 3. an exchange: He got the radio in a swap. Also, swop. Origin: 1300–50; ME swappen to strike, strike hands (in bargaining); c. dial. G schwappen to box (the ears)

Is it possible to preserve our lifestyles in these hard times through a "swap economy?"

During the winter holiday, as our borrowed old Jeep sped along New York’s Taconic Parkway, framed by spiky branches of winter woods and a peacock blue sky, it hit me. Despite having just been laid off—for the fourth time in eight years—I felt bruised by another "redundancy," but essentially I was where I wanted to be. I was with the family I’d dreamed about having and actually managed to create, (though I didn’t get started until later in life).

My husband, two small boys and I were off to an ex-colleague’s weekend Catskill mountain house to play for four days, while my friend and his family visited relatives out of state.

As the Jeep’s speakers belted out the Beatles' “Can’t Buy Me Love,” I realized that although we didn’t own the Jeep or the house, we did own this experience and this moment.

Through the cooperative spirit of "swapping," where each party gains something, (even if just peace of mind because someone's watching their stuff while they're away), we had the gift of a few days away in the Catskills.

Our friends had lent us their jeep so that they wouldn't have to pay hundreds of dollars to park it at the airport while they were visiting family. As for the vacation house, we were essentially "house-sitting" for another friend and his family.

At the end of the next day’s snow tubing adventure, I would tuck our ruddy-cheeked children into bed, exhausted and happy. And the voice I would hear singing them to sleep was my own.

What about you? Do you have any swapping stories or ideas to share? Post'em here!