Why People From All Walks Of Life Are Choosing Alternative Currency To Barter With

By Kate McMahon


With the down turn in the economic prosperity involving increasingly more parts of online goods, service, retail, and even most banking institutions, a growing number of people are asking why their governments control all the money. Called alternative currency or micro-currency this new trend is increasing in popularity across the world.

It is astonishing the number of people talking for granite that tiny pieces of paper they are carrying around on them retain real value. Assorted ways to exchange and value goods are developing at an all time rate. Some are even endorsed and used and by the famous and wealthy. While it is improbable they will overtake common types of money like euros or dollars, they are gaining popularity.

These alternative means of trade often become more popular during rough economic times. National money begins to dry up and people still have needs that need to be met. Families still have to buy food, they still have to pay bills and for goods and services. People have had to come up with creative ways to meet all these needs that are not illegal while still being accessible to the average person.

In the US currency is watched over by the federal reserve. Even though Americans can use their money, it does not belong to them. Defacing US currency is a federal crime. Counterfeiting US money is one too. Knowing this, people are surprised to learn of 13 states seeking approval from their collective state governments to start printing their own money.

Another growing trend is litecoin and bitcoin. One of the bigger advantages they have is their decentralization. They are fast, simple and totally anonymous over the world. People remain very willing to stock their faith in new technology over traditional economic banking institutions.

A more localized version is called berkshares in Berkshires in the western part of Massachusetts. There are over 400 local businesses that accept them in lieu of US dollars. This includes 13 different banks that act as exchange stations. This helps build community ties with the businesses that take them vs those that do not.

Even established corporations are starting to get in on this. Larger companies like amazon and starbucks and are also offering amazon coins and starbucks stars. These rewards can be easily exchanged for services and goods from the companies. A few years back other big companies tried using this approach, like camel and marlboro with camel dollars and marlboro miles. Both could easily be exchanged for different novelty items from the parent company.

Most advocates for trying to use alternative currency honestly believes them to be a separate means of offering buying power back to the group of people who otherwise would live on the outside fringe of any fiscal success. This gives these people like the disabled, underemployed and elderly an opportunity to achieve some form of economic freedom. As times begin to get bad, people will be more worried about what they have to trade for than what they have. And this is what they are betting their future on.




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