Check this out

[enjenjo]

http://oneredpaperclip.blogspot.com/2005/07/about-one-red-paperclip.html

You think he'll get a house?

[phat46]

You think he'll get a house?[/quote]

 Yup, it's just a matter of time, someone will want to be the person who traded him for the house, both will have their 15 minutes of fame. If the guy was really serious about a house he would spend the money on a house that  he's spending to travel all over trading, he could be in a house by now, but I guess that's not the point....

[Uncle Bob]

Pretty fascinating.  He could be successful if he keeps the goal in sight, and continues to work his system.  He'll certainly get help from folks just wanting to be part of a "cute" idea.

It's really an exercise in fundamental economics.  Trading something of value for something of value between willing participants, though in our modern society we more often use the score keeping device of money than direct trading of goods or services.  He's even contributing "value added" to enhance the trade value of some items (painting the keg, offering his labor as bartender).  Normal everyday stuff in it's essence really.  If he's smart he'll record everything along the way and publish a book so he'll have ongoing income to pay the property taxes (the tax man doesn't seem too interested in trades for some reason).