(WZZM) - As we look for ways to stretch our dollars, an old transaction is once again becoming popular - bartering.
Bartering is defined as trading for a service or good without using money. There are many websites that offer help in finding a barter partner. There is tradenetwork, michigantraderspost and craigslist just to name a few.
A new business owner in Howard City is bartering to better improve her business and help out other business owners in town.
"My biggest thing is keeping it within the community," said Katrina Corwin, owner of Dance Expressions Dance Studio. "Howard City is a very small community and businesses come and go. If you can't help keep another business in the community then what are you contributing to your community?"
Corwin is bartering with the mother of one of her students, Mandy Gould. Katrina is giving her daughter free dance lessons in exchange for Mandy's work from her in-home business, MG Tot Shots. Mandy is going to decorate the walls of the studio with artistic photos of the students that attend Dance Expressions. Corwin is also actively working on a barter with two other local businesses, one for new signage for her studio and another for cakes for an upcoming dance event.
"If there are options, I'm always going to be looking for them. There's always going to be opportunity as new people approach me and the business and enroll. If I find a family that maybe specializes in business cards then I would jump into that."
By Derek Francis