LETS stop wasting money on little things…..
You don’t need money to make the world go around according to the millions of LETS schemes being implemented and successfully run around the world!
These rapidly growing Local Exchange Trading Schemes basically allow people and communities to become more people focused and sustainable – lowering the need for external services and supplies, and reducing the amount of ‘old’ products thrown out and new products purchased.
What Do LETS Do?
The whole system is set up on the basis that everyone works for nothing – there is no money involved. You do things for credits.
Now these credits can be called anything you want in your community – whether it’s Acorns, Gooseberries or Gribbets – and they are all worth the same. You only get ‘paid’ whatever others think you are worth in your community and many skills are equal.
For example if you were a secretary and did an hours work, it would be equal to a solicitor working for an hour. If you made a piece of furniture for someone, it may well be equal to someone mowing you lawn.
Each scheme has it’s own moderated credit system and all the members decide what should be worth what. Your credits are stored up for your services and then you can spend them by using the services of others.
That way, if you offer to babysit for someone for 7 Groats, you can then call on someone else to help you put up your shed for that same amount. The idea is that people can get things done by local people without having to spend money.
How are they helpful?
The way that LETS come into their own are where people have a skill that they can share. If a person is not currently working for whatever reason, they can still offer that skill to others without the hassle of having to be employed or having to draw up contracts.
It also means that people can practice and improve their current skills without having to be employed by a larger company. So a part time photographer can put their skills to use without leaving their current job in the towns supermarket. Or a retired person can still offer their advice as a lawyer or soliciter in exchange for heavy gardening or a dog sitter while they take a holiday.
It’s also great for those with niche skills who can get to practice their trade and get their services recognised without having the drag of finding formal employees or a retail premises.
They also offer a great service as it is not a direct swap – you are not offering something to the person you get your service from – so the person who’s flat you are cleaning isn’t the one who has to give you something back – you pick and choose the services you want to receive.
Why not see if there is one in your area – and give it a go?
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Tags: eco friendly, LETS, local, local communities, local exchange, local services, local skills, niche skill, Reduce, Reuse