~ ~ ~ A Barter Buck~ ~ ~
How it works:

* Barter Bucks are legal.   They are taxable income when used for professional services.  You should report earnings or expenses the same as with dollars.

* This provides an alternative method of payment for goods and services. 

* One Barter Buck equals one hour of labor or $15.  People who are usually paid more than $15/hour (like professional services) can ask more than one Barter Buck, but $15 is the standard value.  

* Barter Bucks may be used in with any person, organization, or business that will accept them.

Come to our first Conversation Café, the first Thursday of May, at 7 p.m., at the Princeton Library to learn more about it, and to be involved in charting the direction for this network.

Method to launch the currency:   when you add your name to our directory of participants (see form below) you will receive four (4) Barter Bucks worth four (4) hours of work, or the equivalent of $60 in trading when we start up.   Each listing costs $10 to be used toward printing and mailing, web hosting, etc. Every 6 months we will ask for a renewal of your membership (listing in the directory) and you will receive two (2) additional Barter Bucks at that time.   Also, you can purchase Barter Bucks at a discount rate...1 Barter Buck costs only $12.   All proceeds will be used to help cover printing of the currency, directory, and future newsletters.

How to use the Barter Bucks:   When you need something, look for it in the directory, which we are now compiling, and call or e-mail.   Make your expectations clear, and negotiate the price using any of the following combinations:

- Barter Bucks only
- Barter Bucks and Dollars
- Direct Barter

Anyone can accept and use Barter Bucks, even if they are not listed in the directory, so if you want something, find someone who can do it or who has something you want, and offer Barter Bucks.    That will help the circulation to grow.
Some long term possibilities:

- a Barter Buck Store:  a place to display and sell crafts that may be purchased with Barter Bucks.   A repair and recycling center included.

- Loans:  low or no-interest startup loans in Barter Bucks for local businesses or cottage industries who might have difficulty obtaining bank loans.

- Grants:  for community organizations

- Special Projects:  such as the development of a community cannery to provide year-round, locally grown, organic foods.

- Ideas ?   What other ideas do you have?  The Barter Buck can become a stronger community, becoming less dependent on distant corporations, unnecessary imports and outside resources.    Let’s think and act locally.

Join the Local Currency/ Barter List:    Please print and fill out this form and give it to someone working on the project (at our table at the West Windsor Farmers Market) or mail it to: