![]() ![]() They also help community members connect, grow, and learn from each other. Time-banking and skill-sharing don’t just save people money. Search those “keywords” on the time-banking platform or currency exchange of your choice. Next, make a list of all the things you currently spend money on monthly, or things that you don’t spend money on but would if you could afford to massage, acupuncture, cooking lessons (to cook more of your own food at home instead of going out to eat), sustainability advice/consulting, etc. Then, look at this list and ask yourself - does anything on this list look like a skill that someone would find valuable and want to learn about? This becomes the basis of your “offers.” Pick one or two, and write a compelling pitch that would entice someone to take you up on learning this skill. Once you’ve chosen a platform, write a list of all the things that you would do, that you do automatically, as a way to bring joy to your life and to others. Users earn simbi credits when they share with friends, while nonprofit organizations can also utilize simbi to reward their volunteers, providing a great incentive for folks to invest their time in their cause. ![]() They can then, in turn, use those credits to redeem goods and services such as health coaching, accounting, and Reiki healing sessions. You can use simbi (the credits that you can earn in the app) to reciprocate with your friends, family and neighbors for things that they do for you “offline”. It also boasts the largest quantity of goods and services you can access. Simbi is accessible, available in multiple languages, and easy to use. Simbi’s easy-to-use interface makes it a great option for time-sharing newbies. Simbi is a more established skill sharing network-and it’s also my top choice. YING (group skill-sharing) and Nomos are two examples of emergent time-banking platforms. Īlternatively, a credit-based currency system (my preferred system so far) still offers a non-financial platform for conducting transactions, however in this case, the value of each service or transaction is not determined by hours, but rather self-determined by the users, which means on these platforms users can trade other things, including items and goods. There are time banks all over the world one robust example is the Kola Nut Collaborative in Chicago area. Visit their timebanks directory page and search by state to get a comprehensive list of timebanks in your area ( Time & Talents by Hourworld also has a directory). Community Weaver by Timebanks USA, (founded by the father of timebanking, Edgar Cahn) is a popular option. ![]() But take note of two different types of platforms you could pick.Ī timebank is an alternative ledger system that records exchanges and values with each hour contributed as equal, regardless of whether the hour was spent doing yard work, providing legal counsel, or cleaning someone’s teeth. Y ou can read more about the history of timebanks and what they are here. Luckily, I came across Simbi, an even better user-friendly interface, so I decided to join instead!” 2. I wanted to create an exchange platform (a fancy spreadsheet, really) where people could earn points for the skills they had and use those points to access other services. “At the start of 2020,” she said, “with the job losses spreading across the world, I was growing concerned about the state of the economy and people’s access to resources without being able to earn money. Natalee, a newly-introduced time-banker, said she joined because she was looking for an exchange platform as the pandemic took hold. Time-banking can be a solution with all these benefits. This can give us more time for joy, and also help us grow community at a time of greater social isolation due to the pandemic. Yet we can meet our needs without money by using and sharing other assets - such as skills, time, used goods - to access services we would otherwise pay for. Many of us work jobs that are tiresome, do not bring us joy, and don’t provide enough money to meet our basic needs. time or alternative currencies) instead of money. Here are seven steps you can take to start time banking too. You can experience more joy, build your community and save money - all without spending a dime - by completely transforming your relationship with time and money. To me, this exchange is worth more than money, directly connecting people who have unique gifts to share with one another. Most recently, I found that my neighbor (an amazing masseuse) is willing to do bodywork for me in exchange for my inoculating oak logs with shiitake mushrooms that will produce food for her family. You may have experienced this too if you’ve ever volunteered locally. When I act on behalf of my community, I feel wealthier. ![]()
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