Read an article today on NPR website about Time Banks in Spain. Their economy is pretty bad, 25% unemployment. There are not many jobs so people have started to join Time Banks set up as a way to trade time worked for services from other time bank members. It's like bartering but with a third party manager.
Very cool idea. No money is transfered, only time. Every job is considered equal, with one hour of any service equal to one hour of any other service. Excellent idea. It means anyone's time is equivalent to anyone else's time. No job is considered better or more important than another's.
It's too bad that it takes a bad economy for something like this to catch on. It's not so much about the money anymore but more about community and actual need. It highlights skills and the idea of helping your neighbors. You don't mind painting, your neighbor loves gardening. Why shouldn't you be able to help each other out so you can both benefit. You love working on cars, you need someone to teach your child math. Find those connections in the Time Bank. Excellent.
Should be available in any economy. A+ for people of Spain.
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