Swapping Stuff

A few months ago, I came across a site called swaptree. I was really excited, because I love the concept of trading products and services. For example, we have a great deal worked out with one of our neighbors down the hall where we take turns taking care of each others’ dogs. When they work late, we take their dog out. When we leave for the weekend, Sophie stays over at their place. It is fun, creates community, and saves a lot of money! I would love it if I could exchange piano lessons for haircuts. (Any takers??)

The way swaptree works is that I can load in books, movies, music, etc that I own and don’t want to keep. I can also browse/search for items and select those that I would like to own. Once there is a match, swaptree sends me an email letting me know about the swap. Then I just have to accept the trade, mail my item off, and wait for the “new” item to arrive.

So far, I have only loaded a few movies that we never watch (“have list”) and a few books that I would really like to own (“want list”). Hence, it’s no surprise that it’s taken a while for me to get a “swapportunity.” However, this week, I completed my first swap! I swapped a movie I had never even watched, R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: Don’t Think About It, for Simplify Your Life by Elaine St. James. What a deal!

I can’t wait to read this book. I’m currently reading The Poisonwood Bible (which is awesome!), but as soon as I’m done with it, Simplify Your Life is next. It’s kind of ironic that I never had time to read books until I simplified my life. Good thing I was able to learn about it via blogs! Now, I read a little in the morning and lots at night. Reading is good for the soul.

Well, I’m off to load some more titles into swaptree, because this is cool!