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There are moments when having no cash in hand can be frustrating. Other times it’s actually demoralizing. I’m glad that it’s possible to trade expertise and skills on occasion. It makes up for some necessity needs and once in a while some actual fun.

At one point I was extremely grateful to a dear friend who got me a battery for my 1995 Nissan Closet. Hoping and praying before each turn of the key was becoming draining on both the van and my psyche. Fortunately one trip to Sears in trade for some acupuncture and my van sounded almost like a racecar. Ok, so maybe not quite that powerful, but after months of wheezing it was an exciting thrill for it to start right up at all.

I’ve also traded for food. As you might guess, that is a huge one and not much to say about it. It’s been one main strategy to get cash flowing to fill the financial hole that I found myself in for quite some time.

I did try to trade for an iPod for music for my patients but somehow that one hasn’t come through yet. Hmmm.

Most recently I traded for some golf lessons. I had played a little as a kid before devoting my full attentions to my BMX bike and the massive bike ramp I built in my front yard (much to my mother’s chagrin at times). A friend had given me some golf clubs a couple years ago and so I played an occasional game with a neighbor. It was a fun challenge to pick it back up, although going un-homed kind of slowed that down.

So when I was able to help a golf pro with his ailing back I offered to trade: “I straightened out your back. How about you straighten out my golf swing? I’m tired of playing in the bushes along the right side all the time.” You golfers know what I’m talking about. He was happy to do it, and for at least a brief couple of lessons I’ve been hitting that little dimpled ball straight. Phew! Tiger Woods watch out!

By the way, I recently met someone who remembered that massive ramp in my front yard as a kid. It had become a landmark for all kids in the area and a central location parents came searching for their wayward offspring. I’m sure this will make my Mom smile.

Previous posts in this series:

• Getting Swept Away… Almost
• Neglect
• Small Measures of Success
• The Interior Life
• I Miss My Bed
• My Closet Has a Flat Tire
• Hopes and Dreams
• Homeless Are People, Too
• Full Monty or Not?
• Back Seat Office
• Staying Connected
• Those Small Indignities
• Putting Your Life in Storage
• One Step Forward, One Step Back
• Exciting New Career Opportunities
• End of the Day
• Solutions Wanted
• When to Hold On, Let Go?
• Location, location, location
• Range of Motion
• Food More Than Sustenance
• Figuring It All Out Someday
• Solitude
• The Good, The Bad
• From The Heart
• Does Anyone Really See Me?
• Keeping Perspective
• Showers at the Natatorium
• Achieving Homelessness