Economic Survival–A Time Bank for Such a Time as This

July 21st, 2012 |

I’ve shared info here before about bartering and alternatives to cope in the present economy or after a collapse. But it’s time for a refresher.

Below is a video about time banks. In particular, it features the Onion River Exchange Time Bank in Vermont.

In a time bank, no money is exchanged. Members of a community support each other with the exchange of favors and services. but it’s not quite barter. It provides a way to keep goods and services flowing while building relationships beyond the usual business transactions.

Watch the video to get a better understanding of how a time bank works.

For a glance at economic survival on the local level after a collapse, get Vance Lindstrom’s book Rebuilding A Village. It includes chapters on alternative currencies as well as rebuilding the marketplace and banking system.

You might also want to check out Brandon Smith’s site on community and market alternatives at http://www.alt-market.com/

Have you participated in a time bank arrangement or other such alternatives? If you haven’t, would you? Why or why not? Leave a comment and share your experience with others.

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