Just because you donât have cash doesnât mean you donât want and need things. According to authors and business gurus Karen Hoffman and Shera Dalin, itâs time to get a little creative. Most people have a skill they can useâitâs just a matter of figuring out what that is and how to use it to get something else. From piano lessons in exchange for haircuts to an engine tune-up in exchange for house painting, The Art of Barter offers step-by-step instructions in: Determining your âtradableâ skills Initiating a trade Figuring out a fair exchange How to close a deal Incorporating barter into everyday life In addition, the book is peppered with inspirational ideas on how to use barter in todayâs tough economic world.