Kaitlin Nelson wanted to throw a housewarming barbecue at her new home in Belvidere. The thing was, she had no outdoor furniture and little surplus cash. Nelson had recently started a new job with a ...

A player piano. A camera. Even accounting services. Irving television producer Joel Stephens has acquired those products and services without paying a dime. He’s one of many small business owners in ...

The economic slowdown has meant that many businesses are having to get creative to stay afloat. And an increasing number are turning to a mode of trade that's ancient: bartering. Josh Gardner owns a ...

Seeing as we’re in the post-holiday period, you’ve probably got lots of stuff (aka “crap”) lying around the home. That thing your mother gave you that you’ll never use. That thing someone re-gifted ...

Just the other day I was in a cab with a friend. I had done some writing and editing work for her and in return she offered a marketing and branding session. That had more value to me than being paid ...

As I wrote about last week, be creative with how you deal with suppliers, attorneys, CPAs, and even staff. I believe that any business problem can be solved if you get creative in finding a solution.

Bartering may seem simple and risk free, but it actually can be quite tricky and could lead to trouble if you don’t understand and follow the rules. I told Justin Shelley he was smart to seek advice ...

LOS ANGELES Meet Dave Norwoods, a Mission Hills resident who has mastered the art of bartering. He got this truck for doing carpentry and tile work for a wealthy Malibu resident. A licensed contractor ...

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... When Boston Market made a major purchase of national TV advertising time late last year, it negotiated to pay a portion of the cost with gift cards. With the ...