As always, with thanks to visionary writer, Wendell Berry who wrote these provocative "Rules for a Sustainable Community" that are presented here as excerpted from the poster of the "Rules" published by Yes! Magazine:
"Look into the possible uses of local currency, community-funded loan programs, systems of barter, and the like."
Wouldn't it be great if you could exchange your product or service for what you needed, from someone in your own community, without using regular money? Well, the idea is springing up all over the place. The nearest example to me is in the Bershires of western Massachusetts. Go to this website below for lots of information on what people are doing and how it all works.
http://www.berkshares.org/
Also, here's a good book reference on the subject:
"Local Dollars, Local Sense: How to Shift Your Money from Wall Street to Main Street and Achieve Real Prosperity," by Michael Shuman (Chelsea Green).
It's not so much about direct barter as about looking for sustainable and local ways to invest.
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