This is actually an old story, so I expect a lot of people to already know about it here, but I like the story and think the idea is neat. I'm sure SOMEONE hasn't heard about it
There was once a man who wasn't happy about paying rent on a house he didn't own. He wanted to own a house, but couldn't afford to buy one. What he did have, was one red paperclip he decided he'd try to trade this one red paper clip for a house though a series of other trades. First, his paper clip was traded for a pen, and so on and so forth with things slowly becoming bigger and better than the last thing. 14 trades and one year later, he has his house. Check it out when you get a chance.

In other news: I'm sick. Allergies have hit me, and I feel like I have a cold. I'm starting to get over it though