Nearly 20 years ago, Canadian blogger Kyle MacDonald captured the imagination of the internet by trading his way from a red paperclip to a two-story home. Inspired by the childhood game “Bigger, Better,” where the objective is to trade an item for something more valuable, MacDonald embarked on this unique journey in July 2005. Tired of paying rent in Montreal and seeking a home of his own, the 26-year-old set up a website to document his quest. With a red paperclip as his starting point, he promised to visit anyone willing to trade with him. This ambitious venture set off a remarkable chain of 14 trades, culminating in the acquisition of a $50,000 home in Kipling, Saskatchewan. MacDonald’s success story became a symbol of creativity, determination, and the power of community, as he demonstrated that with the right mindset, anything is possible.
The journey from a simple office supply to a home was far from straightforward. MacDonald’s first trade involved swapping the red paperclip for a fish-shaped pen, which he then exchanged for a hand-sculpted doorknob. Each subsequent trade took him across North America, from a camping stove to a generator, and even a snowmobile, showcasing his ingenuity and persistence. His adventure reached its peak when he traded a motorized KISS snow globe, a seemingly trivial item, for a speaking role in a film, thanks to actor Corbin Bernsen’s passion for snow globes. This pivotal trade led the town of Kipling to offer him a farmhouse, marking the end of his year-long quest. MacDonald’s journey not only secured him a home but also inspired countless others, leaving a lasting legacy in Kipling, where the Paperclip Cottage Cafe now stands as a testament to this incredible story.
