Kim tills the soil in Paul’s garden.

 

Paul helps Diane paint her house.

 

Diane cuts Felicia’s hair.

 

 

hOURS is a sort of trading system that builds community and allows people increased opportunity to utilize their skills.  It forges interpersonal relationships and enhances our quality of life.  It’s happening in Philadelphia and in Boston.

It’s not bartering, but rather an alternative form of money.  It allows a slew of useful activities, such as those written here in orange, to occur.  Under barter, for Kim to till Paul’s garden, Paul would have to have something Kim wanted directly in exchange.  Using the hour as a unit of money (all of it in the form of ledger accounts) gets us past that.

 

Felicia prepares the food for Sam’s big party.

 

Sam feeds and walks Maria’s dog while she’s away.         

 

Maria builds a solar water heater for Chris.

Chris fixes Pat’s bicycle.

 

Pat does Ron’s taxes.

 

Ron gives Kim violin lessons.

 

 …and what goes around comes around

 

 

 

When services are performed, the parties involved inform the record keeper who debits one account and credits the other for the time spent.

 

What are you waiting for?  Sign up today.

 

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Philosophy behind the creation of hOURS

 

Reasons to participate in the system

 

The political significance of alternative currency

 

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