People are increasingly willing to give up designer clothes and high-end coffees in order to save money on fuel and food. But what if Americans could have their cappuccinos with no cash outlay?

People are returning to barter, the oldest and most cashless system of economics in the world, across the country. Investors are starting to notice this recession-proof business, as barter is a great option in a slow economy.

For legal advice, yoga teachers can trade their sessions. In exchange for carpentry, dentists do work. For a tropical vacation, a disc jockey might trade some parties. Some people arrange informal trades on social networking Web sites. Others suggest barter arrangements to interested parties.

Small businesses can use barter exchanges in today’s economic downturn to obtain advertising and other costly services without having to lose cash. However, informal bartering can pose risks for small businesses. One party may offer $6,000 for office furniture and then have their barter partner return the money. Barterers are not protected against poor-quality work if they don’t have formal contracts.

It may be difficult to assign equal value to different services. An endless number of sessions might be offered by a massage therapist. “pay off”Advertisements and new window blinds

Bartering enthusiasts can take steps to ensure their safety by assigning value and writing formal agreements. Barter trade networks – businesses that bring together potential barterers – offer bartering’s benefits and without the risk.

Businesses can assign trade dollars to goods and services in a barter network. The more businesses that are part of the barter network, then the more trade dollars they can purchase.

International Monetary Systems, one of the largest barter networks in the world, connects more than 18,000 businesses across the U.S.A. and Canada. Its web site. www.imsbarter.comThe platform allows small business owners to search for products and services and organize trades.

IMS protects small businesses that wish to barter their products and services. The network guarantees that members get high quality work and products in exchange for their trade dollars.

Investors can profit from a company which will continue to gain business, even though the U.S. is heading deeper into recession. IMS trades under the OTCBB symbol INLM