Time Banks

[Valerie S. Johnson]

By Valerie S. Johnson

Welcome to a community where the local currency – Time Dollars – is based on services you exchange with other members. It’s not just charity or volunteering; you give and you get. For every hour you spend, you accrue one Time Dollar.

This is not a bartering system; instead you pay-it-forward. Here’s an example of how it works: George helps his elderly neighbor, Mary, by spending two hours doing her grocery shopping. George earns two Time Dollars, which he spends on guitar lessons with Ringo. Ringo gets Susan to clean his house in two hours. And so on. Everyone’s time is valued equally, whether they rake leaves or provide professional services.

There are Time Banks already set up and running in many states. They are organized based on what their group or community decides that it needs. Some provide support for elderly, immigrant, or disadvantaged members of the community. For more information, or if you want to start a new Time Bank, check the website.

[merrychristman]

Thanks for posting -- this sounds like a great idea; unfortunately, there are no local ones near us (and I don't have the time to start one!)