Wanted: People to live on complementary currency system, for one month
HANDy Messenger Joanna Piekarski. IMage by Carrie Dobbs
The Golden Bay, New Zealand based complementary currency system H.A.N.D.S. is looking for one or more members to live solely on HANDS for a month this summer or autumn so that they can “to explore the potential” of their “How About Non Dollar System”.
HANDS coordinator Joanna Piekarski says “If successful, other members’ realisation of what’s possible could lead to a blossoming of increased trading, which benefits everyone.” She said th the experience could also help to prepare the H.A.N.D.S. system for increased future cooperation in case of potential disruptions such as petrol, economic and climate collapse.
“Living costs such as rent or mortgage, bills, food, transport, communication and power would need to be approached creatively. Mortgages may not be easy to pay on HANDS, but some landlords could be open to HANDS or trade for rent.
“Some food currently is available on HANDS, and the all-HANDS pioneers can grow plenty of their own. Carpooling, biking, walking, horse-riding and other creative approaches to transport can be organised ahead of time. Phone and internet communication channels might be kept open via a friend’s systems.”
Joanna said Power would be an interesting issue, “unless the person is already using an alternative energy system.”
“If all else fails for bill-paying, HANDS-Kiwi$ exchanges could be done with other members.”
The idea of living on HANDS came from a true story a HANDS member was told about a woman in Australia who successfully lived on Green Dollars for three months while her husband was in the Middle East and unable to send his earnings. Joanna says the opportunity to try it is still here, and whoever would like to give it a go, to whatever degree possible, will be fully supported. Ideally, the living-on-HANDS members would earn the HANDS they’re spending during the same month.
In the mean time, the HANDS committee are inviting all members to break down their expenses, look at their lists and see if there are better ways than Kiwi$ to meet more of their expenses.
“It’s all part of the goal of fostering our local economy – a network of interdependence and community self-reliance,” said Joanna.
Email: [email protected]
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Tags: HANDS
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