[Baynative]

"I think the underground economy is quite big in the U.S.," said Alexandre Padilla, associate professor of economics at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

I've not met a contractor in over two years who isn't willing to barter or work for cash. Barbers, hairdressers, dog groomers, landscapers, movers and handymen almost all put plenty of cash straight into their pockets with no paper work involved. I've even met a couple of dealership mechanics who make auto repair hose calls on the weekend.

[angry elephant]

The guy who cleans my pool offered me two years cleaning plus part of the new pool cover in barter for a Harley Sportster.

Was kewel with me. Only so many sports at one time and nothing to the governator.

[Graybeard58]

I've not met a contractor in over two years who isn't willing to barter or work for cash.

I saved a bucket of money having about 400 sq. ft. of ceramic tile laid by paying cash and am about to save another bucket by paying cash to have a double wide drive way and a patio paved. All by reputable contractors. Some may disagree about the "reputable" part, since they have no intention of paying taxes on what they receive from me for the work but I'm way past the point of caring.

I save a lot of money, the contractors save a lot of money and all that money is kept out of the hands of big spending and wasteful government. To me, that's a triple win!