Book Crossing

Make Useful Things

Although cutting into a book is not my favorite thing to do, this site offers many useful things you can do with your old books. You can make a holder for your iPod, bookends, child's flap book, table legs, clock, and lamp shade.

This is such a wonderful way to exchange old books, or make uses of them. Personally, I like Book Crossing's idea of leaving the book for other to find. It will be interesting to track down where my books travel to.

RentAnime

Rent Anime has a nice collection of anime, but the navigation of their website can use a little work. They have Hentai and you can buy from their sister site store www.animenation.com at a 10% discount.

Manga Takeout or Anime Takeout

I will go with mangatakeout.com because you can rent both anime and manga the only problem with this website is that there is no hentai at all, but still the fact that this is the only site online that you can rent manga is a BIG PLUS! I like reading mangas, and they offer different plans as well, I think you can go as far as renting up to 10 manga/DVDs out at a time.

Animelane

This is the BEST anime online rental site that is out right now. First off they have the biggest anime collections than the other two sites, second you can also rent live-action Asian movies as well, third you can also rent anime and video game soundtracks (This is nice). And finally they also have a store as well and you get a 15% discount. They also have adult rated materials as well.

The first two websites are good, but if you are a hard-core anime fan go with Animelane.

This article was inspired after following the bartering (swapping) skills of a man named Kyle MacDonald and his website “One Red Paperclip". Kyle, Swapped his self from one trade to another, until he had himself his very own house. Amazingly, he managed to swap himself to a house in only fourteen trades.

Now, I am not suggesting that anyone can do what Kyle MacDonald did, but if you never try, then you will never know. Even if your idea isn't so grand as swapping until you achieve something big, it is cheaper than buying new or bidding in an auction. You can still swap your old things for the things that you want and only be responsible for paying the cost of shipping the things you have agreed to swap with another member(s).

This list isn't a Top 10 list, but if it were, then I would suspect that this list would look pretty much the same as I have it right now. So, enjoy!

Books, CDs, DVDs Swaps

Bookmooch

Exchange used books with other BookMooch members and “Get” the book(s) that you want in return. There is no cost to participate in the BookMooch community. Only pay for the actual shipping of the books that you agree to swap.

Paper Back Swap

Swap paperback Books, CDs and DVDs with other members of Paperback Swap. Membership is currently free. Like with any swapping community, members are responsible for paying the actual shipping cost for the products that they have agreed to swap.

Swap Simple

SwapSimple makes swapping books, DVDs and video games really easy and simple. List the books, DVDs and video games simply by entering the UPC code that is printed on the DVDs or video games or enter the ISBN number that is printed on the back cover of the books into the swap listing tools and SwapSimple will take care of the rest. Swap with members who are included in your swap network free and only pay $1.00 or $2.00 per swap, if you are swapping with members outside of your swap network. Swaps are backed with a 100% Money Back Guarantee. Membership is free and required.

Sequential Swap

Dust off your old and new comic books, trade paperbacks and graphic novels and use Sequential Swap to swap what you have to get the comics that you want with other members. Membership is free and required.

Fashion and Cosmetics

Swap Style

Swapstyle.com describes itself as “an online fashion swap party where you can swap, sell and buy fashion, accessories, cosmetics, shoes and lots more with people from all around the world at any time, day or night”. This is a fantastic idea in my opinion, because it can save its members a lot of money on the name brand fashions and cosmetics that are normally purchased at retailers at high markups. Members can also participate in forums and discuss the latest fashion trends, sales and/or whatever comes to your mind at the time. Members are only responsible for paying the actual shipping costs associated with the items that they have traded or sold and the other members are responsible for paying for the actual shipping of the things that they agreed to swap with you. Membership is free and required.

Make Upalley

Ladies here is your chance to swap cosmetics that you own, but don't use for cosmetics that other members have and you want. We're talking about name brand cosmetics - the expensive stuff. Members are only responsible for covering the shipping costs for the cosmetics that they have agreed to swap. Members can read products reviews or write a review on the products that you have used. Participate in forums and meet other members, so that you can get to know the people that you might want to make a swap with later. Membership is free and required.

Swap Anything

U Swap It

Members of the Swapit.com community can swap anything that they desire with other members and for the things that they want. Swapit.com members are not limited, just to swapping books, CDs and DVDs, but can swap electronics, sporting goods or anything that they want to swap with other members. Members are responsible for paying for the shipping of the items that they have agreed to swap with other members. Members can also join into the Swapit forums to get to know other members better. Membership is free and required.

Swap Thing

Here is another fine swapping community that allows its members to swap, buy or sell things in a new and different way. Members can swap, buy or sell services, skills or things that they have for services, skills or things that other members have and you want. At the time that this article was written, there were 3,452,775 things available for swap or for sale at SwapThing and that is a lot of things to browse through. Membership is free and required.

Toys

Toy Swap

This is the perfect website for anyone who has old or new toys that are no longer wanted or played with and that can be swapped for old or new toys that other Toy Swap members have available for swap with you. Membership is free and required.

Cooking and Baking

Bake Space

If you are a person who loves baking fresh cookies, cakes and pies, then Bake Space is the perfect place to be, because its members swap cooking and baking recipes and share ideas. Membership is free and required.

Swap A Skill

Swap a Skill

Do you have a skill that you want to swap in exchange for a skill that someone else has available to swap? This is a great website for individuals who process a skill (artistic, musical, engineer, plumber, electrician, or just about any type of skill that you can think of can probably be found here at Swap-A-Skill at times. Basic membership is free, but there are some costs associated with membership upgrades, if you so choose to upgrade your membership. Be sure to read the membership agreement, before signing up.

Swap Term Papers

Swap Termpapers have 10,000 termpapers intheir database and members can swap a quality termpaper that they have written for a termpaper that Swap Termpapers have in their database (termpaper that you need). The termpaper exchange is free as long as the member has a quality termpaper to trade-in, otherwise members can purchase a termpaper from Swap Termpapers at the going rate. “Swap Termpapers has termpapers, essays, book reports, book reviews and thesis papers written the way that you need them”, according to Swap Termpapers.

For Webmasters: Swap Links

Monster Link Swap

Drive more traffic to your website by establishing quality link partners online.MonsterLinkSwap.com members save time and money, because MonsterLinkSwap.com has an established database of other webmasters wanting to exchange links with you, now. Basic membership is free, but limited. Upgrades are available, but upgrades do require payment.

Fun Swaps

Sketch Swap

No Membership Required. Just simply draw something and once your masterpiece is finished, then submit your drawing, so you can receive a drawing that someone else has drawn. Personally, I think this is a neat little website even though there is not much to it. Sometime simple is better.

File Swap

FileSwap enables visitors to swap computer files, photos, music, wallpapers, audio files, animated icons, videos or even PDF and text files, quick and simple. Use the browse button to retrieve the file or files that you want to swap and hit the Swap button to continue. After the file you have selected has been entered into the system, then you will receive a random file that someone else has submitted. Yes, it is kind of like playing the lottery, but your chances of winning something interesting is far better than the lottery.

Conclusion

This was a fun article to write. I hope that I have been able to introduce you to a whole new world, where the things that you want today can be swapped for, while you have fun and save money.

If you know of any other websites that you believe are better than these in this article or you just believe should have been included, then leave a link to them with your comment. I do check weblinks and I will remove any weblink that leads to adult websites or any illegal website.

Do Research

If you are like me and want to buy things of value, such as records, vintage clothes, or celebrity autographs, do your research. Find out from eBay and other websites just how much this item (or one of a similar type) is going for. When you have an average price, use that as a guide when bidding on that item. It may take a little effort, but if you get the item for less than you wanted to pay for it, it was worth it.

Buy Used

I know this is a silly tip, but useful for those who seek a real bargain. I've fallen into that trap before of buying a DVD new from eBay only to find out that I could have gotten it for nearly half the price if I bought used. Sometimes used ends up looking better than new, because a lot of new items will come with damaged packaging (not that it matters for using the DVD but… don't you want to keep things pretty?) If you're on the lookout of DVDs or CDs, make sure you check out all the used listings first. They might just save you a lot of money.

Check Your Spelling

And no, I don't mean to make sure it's correct. Try misspelling your keywords to see if what you're looking for comes up. Sometimes sellers are too quick in listing their products so they either misspell keywords or even end up putting the item in the wrong category. Because of a listing error, I bought a vintage earl 1970's issue of a teen magazine for five bucks. If it would have been in the proper category, the price would have reached well over fifteen dollars.

It takes time to find your way around eBay to get the best bargains, but it's worth the time when you don't want to spend a lot, but you still want to get a lot. Happy shopping!

1. News Podcasts

   Every major news network provides some type of podcast, whether it's an audio file or video. Most networks provide their popular new programs in a shortened podcast format. This shortened format is great for people who want to keep up to date on news, but don't have a lot of time to do it. Examples of this are CNN's AC360 podcast and NBC's Today show podcast. But for those who want it all, some shows do offer the entire show in video, such as NBC Nightly News or Meet the Press.

2. Language Podcasts

   There is no reason to stop learning just because you are out of school. And what's better than learning a new language? Whether you are learning a new language for a trip you are planning to take, or if it's just to learn how to flirt in another language, it's a great and inexpensive way to challenge yourself. Many languages are available, from German to Japanese, Spanish to Italian. Some podcasts even offer websites for extra learning, such as JapanesePod101. Their website and podcast offer a total package for learning Japanese.

3. Movie Review Podcasts

   Don't know what movie to go and see this weekend? Not sure if some of the classics are worth buying? Check out some of the movie review podcasts available. These podcasts will not only give you movie reviews for those new and exciting flicks, but can also steer you toward the best of the classic movies available on DVD.

4. Cartoon Podcasts

   Want to relive your childhood? Try downloading a cartoon podcast, such as Vintage ToonCast. Vintage ToonCast allows you to download and view videos of old cartoon that are in the public domain. From the beginnings of Disney to Popeye's crazy adventures, you'll find it all here. Vintage ToonCast also has a second podcast with even more classic cartoons for the kid in you.

5. Make Your Own
   

   If the idea of podcasts intrigues you, and you think you have something to say, try creating your own podcast. See if your ideas appeal to the podcast world. It's easy to do, and can be lots of fun.

All podcasts are not created equal. Because of this, it's good to check out many different podcasts and see which ones that you like best. Happy listening!

What more can we ask for? It's simple, yet so perfect. This wonderful process brings magic to every family members eyes. You pay a small monthly payment normally around £8 to £12, click on all the films you want to see and haven't seen. You can even pre book yourself in for films on the release dates. Even those films that you want to see again are their waving at you.

It's like attaining the least amount of effort possible to obtain optimum output. I wave goodbye to the humble days of waiting, queuing, sweating, frustration, getting the DVD back on time, charged for late returns, and confronted with walls of High glossy images and a debate with your partner over which one to get.

The only thing I need to worry about now is finding out where the nearest post box is.

Trade Me is the prime example. Begun by Sam Morgan only a few years ago, it's now so popular in New Zealand that virtually everyone knows what Trade Me is, and use it in preference to eBay.com , the company that seemed to be the last word in online auctions.

Amazon is also a household name (as an online bookseller, rather than a river) but even that name is gradually being challenged in New Zealand by a small online book, DVD and CD seller called Fishpond.

Fishpond ? What's that got to do with books? Probably about as much as Amazon.

Where did it start?

Fishpond was begun just three years ago by a 22-year-old named Daniel Robertson. It started out in a spare bedroom in his house in Papakura, just south of Auckland. Now he has a staff of 18 people, and his business occupies premises conveniently close to the Auckland airport.

This isn't the first NZ online bookstore. Flying Pig had a brief fling at the process, but fizzled out, and the big bookshop chain, Whitcoulls, also has an online presence that's moving ahead after some false starts.

But Fishpond is making a real go of it.

Who's behind it?

Daniel Robertson began his online presence with a niche market product. It was software built on the open source operating system Linux. But there weren't a lot of people in the country wanting this product, so he used his Linux knowledge to build a retail system that handled supply from wholesaler to customer and back again. There have been three years of refinement and now the operation works very smoothly.

How it works

Fishpond isn't a full-in-your-face site, like Amazon, and it lacks some of Amazon's features. Being at the bottom of the world, it also lacks the enormous range of product. Nevertheless, it works well, and satisfies its many customers.

And in the last year or so, there has been a huge increase in the sale of secondhand books on the site. Sellers can work through Fishpond, advertising their goods for sale, and getting a reasonable profit from it. Reviewers are also able to gain points that can be used against sales.

The major bonus for New Zealand readers, is that the freight is local rather than international.