From Cell Phone to Porsche: Tips for Bartering Your Way Up the Food Chain

If time equals money, then 17 year-old Glendora teen Steven Ortiz--who bartered his way up to a Porsche--earned close to minimum wage for his daily efforts. He started two years ago with an old cell phone and recently traded down for his latest swap, a 2000 Boxster valued at $9k.

Prior to his latest exchange, he had obtained a collectible Bronco, valued at $15k.

According to the Whittier Times, it's more than a hobby:

"[Steven] does more than just make a casual posting to swap concert tickets or an old bike. He spends five to six hours a day on his i-Phone scouring the website for good deals."

Over the course of 24 months, 14 transactions and approximately 2,600 hours invested searching for bartering deals, his motivation may have started from necessity:

"Steven and his dad have themselves been hit hard by the economy. Steven lost his job at a sushi restaurant, and his father has seen business at the cement laying company he owns plummet. Steven's knack for trading and finding good deals has come in handy."

With the stagnant job market and recent unemployment benefits extension signed, this teen took initiative and created work for himself.

Got a cell phone or other items you are looking to trade? Here are a few well known sites to start on your quest:

• craiglist.org
• freecycle.org
• tradepal.com
• swaptree.com

Bartering is a viable option when available cash is low and buying new may not be feasible.

Whittier Times continued to say about Steven:

"At the time, he had never heard of Kyle MacDonald, a Canadian who made international headlines when he traded a red paperclip for a two-story farmhouse through a series of transactions in 2005 and 2006. MacDonald blogged and wrote a book about the adventure, spawning many copycats. Steven was not one of them."

Wanna see how far you can barter your way up the food chain?  Here's are some tips of the trade:

Get familiar

Every forum site is different, so read the rules and respect others. Reputation in smaller communities is important to maintain (i.e.; following through with transactions).

Set goals

Every trade will be unique so treat them accordingly. Establishing your own goals and expectations will help, while the process requires much patience. Plus, be specific with your barter outlining exactly what you are exchanging and what you are looking for.

Practice safety

Keep your information private and watch out for scams. Exercising good judgment by meeting in safe locations during day light hours and bringing someone with you.

Keep it fun

While all exchanges might not be in the exact condition you were hoping for, staying hopeful with the next trade will help keep motivation and optimism up.

Record keeping

Keep track of your transactions by using Excel or Google docs to record pertinent information such as dates, valuation etc. Keeping detailed information for tax reporting is critical and can save you from headaches later.

Besides, if Kyle MacDonald and Steven Ortiz can barter their way to a house or a sports car, why not try?