It's true, the IRS really doesn't like barter, in part because if it became common it would be hard to find and prosecute. In some other countries, the economic transactions without a paper trail can amount to a quarter or more of the on-the-books economy. However, if the dollar ever goes on life support and ceases to be a viable currency, these person-to-person transactions, trading for services or food or goods, could keep people going and provide some sort of local economy. We've gotten used to using a fiat currency (stretched till it screams by people we will never see) for all transactions, but it doesn't hurt to remember that in many other times and places, there were other ways of dealing. No wonder bankers hate precious metals. Seen the price of gold lately? If you think that a dollar three or four years ago is still a dollar now, look at the gold and silver prices. Ironically, people who sneered at gold and silver when they were low now are tempted to buy. Has anyone worked out what a piano tuning cost in silver in various eras? Susan On 1/2/2011 8:21 PM, Dale Erwin wrote: > Dittos Susan > Barter? if you do the IRS (tax police) have a form FOR YOU > > > *Dale S. Erwin > www.Erwinspiano.com > Custom restoration > Ronsen Piano hammers > Join the Weickert felt Revolution > 209-577-8397 > 209-985-0990 > * > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Susan Kline <skline at peak.org> > To: pianotech at ptg.org > Sent: Sun, Jan 2, 2011 8:11 pm > Subject: Re: [pianotech] year so far > > Your points are well taken, Dale. > > Since we have little control of state and federal budgets, and > therefore can't prevent abuse of the currency by not-so-nice powers > that be, better to avoid paying them by not taking out loans or using > credit. Stay out of debt, pay off the mortgage, avoid carrying loan or > credit card balances, live within your means. I think that buying > local is good, and this includes banking services, if you have a good > local credit union. Keep the money at home, put it into real things. > > A paid-for house remains worth exactly one house, whatever shysters do > to the real estate market. Pay off the house, car, and credit cards, > and watch your overhead plummet. > > Has anyone tuned for barter? > > Susan Kline > > > > On 1/2/2011 7:24 PM, Dale Erwin wrote: >> >> >> Hi Ryan >> I'm not looking for a political discussion here but a prudent next >> step would be balancing our budgets personally, and budgets at at >> state and federal levels. The entire economy has been sucker punched >> by our elected and unelected leaders and we are left to pick up the >> pieces. Deficits affect (our) economic growth. Enough said. >> Real wealth grows gradually as everyone goes to work everyday. It >> is going to take time but many of us see an uptick in the economic >> patterns that affect our industry. Meantime we work hard (er), treat >> our clients with repect and honesty, enjoy them, deliver a good product. >> I remember when the scud missiles hit Israel and did major damage. >> The Mayor of Jerusalem was interviewed. He was asked, what will you >> do now? The paraphrase is "we will rebuild and continue to live and >> enjoy life". >> Love that.....that's what we need to do too. >> Peace >> *Dale S. Erwin >> >> _failure isn't fatal...success isn't final_** >> >> * >> >> We are at an interesting point. I can only stand to service a finite >> amount of pianos - not more than around 600 per year. We've been >> developing our piano sales business hoping that would provide more >> growth opportunities, but it takes up a lot of time. We are reaching >> the point where about the only way to grow our income is to raise our >> rates. Of course it is necessary to raise rates at least 3% a year to >> keep up with inflation and avoid a "pay cut". >> >> _*Growing a business is an interesting and challenging game!I'm >> wondering what the next step is...*_ >> >> Ryan Sowers, RPT >> Puget Sound Chapter >> Olympia, WA >> www.pianova.net <http://www.pianova.net> >> >> On Thu, Dec 30, 2010 at 4:34 AM, James Grebe <jamesgrebe at charter.net >> <mailto:jamesgrebe at charter.net>> wrote: >> >> Yesterday, I equaled my gross income from 2009. That means the >> work I have today and tomorrow is over the top.. Not bragging >> but last year was my best year ever. this in spite of all the >> gloom and doom. How have the rest of you fared this year? It >> seems to me that the people who can afford pianos still want to >> take care of them. >> James >> James Grebe Est. 1962 >> Piano Tuner-Technician >> Creator of Custom Caster Cups >> Creator of fine Writing Instruments >> Pump Organ & Plyr Piano benches >> Table Timepieces >> Theatre and Theatre Organ Historian >> www.grebepiano.com <http://www.grebepiano.com> >> 1526 Raspberry Lane >> Arnold, MO 63010 >> (314) 608-4137 >> Become what you believe >> >> >> >> >> -- >> > -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20110102/73dbef48/attachment.htm>
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