What are the advantages and disadvantages of the barter system over the use of money?

As I was purchasing my bagel this morning (or, more accurately, what bakeries in San Francisco consider a bagel, but I digress), I pondered how this transaction might have gone without money. In my opinion, the strength of the barter system is that it forces everyone to have a skill or something to trade while also creating a chance to shop locally. On the other hand, money allows us to buy high value items (like plane tickets, cars and houses) or to shop for things from a distant locale. What are your thoughts?