The cost-of-living crisis is forcing Aussies to get creative, and one trend that's emerged is service swapping. In this practice, Aussies in the beauty industry barter their skills for services they can't afford with cash. It's a win-win situation, as it allows people to get the services they want without spending a dollar. For example, hairdresser Caitlin Berry has adopted this method to keep up with appointments that don't always fit her budget. She believes that service swapping is a more cost-effective way to get services, especially when the cost of services has gone up a lot. Money-saving expert Joel Gibson supports this idea, noting that Aussies are becoming more resourceful out of necessity. He also mentions that service swapping is not a new concept, as it's similar to the barter system that was once common. In fact, there's even a business called Bartercard that allows businesses to trade goods and services without using cash. However, Gibson doubts that cafés and other businesses will suddenly embrace bartering. Tattoo artist Cal Baker has also traded his services for other goods and services, such as a car and a Labubu. He believes that service swapping will become more popular as the cost-of-living crisis wears on, especially among small business owners and sole traders. However, he also predicts that trades will become less common as clients redirect their focus to the necessities over luxuries like tattoos. Overall, service swapping is a creative way for Aussies to manage cost-of-living pressures, and it's likely to become more popular in the future.
