Local Money

An inspiring yet practical new book, Local Money helps you understand what money is and what makes good and bad money. It draws on the considerable track record of experimentation with local money around the world and gives ideas to those in the Transition movement and beyond about what has been tried, what works, and what to avoid.

The power of local currencies Communities everywhere are challenged by issues such as health, elder and child care, housing, education, food security and the environment. On the surface, these problems appear to be rooted in economic crisis-forexample budget cuts have triggered reduced public services, soaring food prices have created food security concerns, and the subprime mortgage disaster has spawned record increases in foreclosures and homelessness. However if communities could match their unmet needs with their underutilized resources, many would find that while their economies may bestruggling when measured in traditional terms, they possess enough genuine wealth to allow all their inhabitants to enjoy a vastly improved quality of life. Creating Wealth demonstrates how a healthy society can beattained through developing new systems of exchange. Using creative initiatives such as time banks, systems of barter and exchange and local currencies, cities and towns can empower themselves and build vibrant, healthy, sustainable local economies. In addition to presenting many compelling case studies of successful alternative currencies in action, Creating Wealth also explores the different types of capital that communities have to draw on, including natural, built, social, human, institutional, cultural, technological, and financial. This book will appeal to community activists, city planners and other public officials, and anyone interested in developing strong local economies. Gwendolyn Hallsmith is the founder and director of Global Community Initiatives and the author of The Key to Sustainable Cities . Bernard Lietaer is the world's leading authority on complementary currencies and the author of The Future of Money .

Local Dollars, Local Sense is a guide to creating Community Resilience. Americans' long-term savings in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, pension funds, and life insurance funds total about $30 trillion. But not even 1 percent of these savings touch local small business-even though roughly half the jobs and the output in the private economy come from them. So, how can people increasingly concerned with the poor returns from Wall Street and the devastating impact of global companies on their communities invest in Main Street? In Local Dollars, Local Sense, local economy pioneer Michael Shuman shows investors, including the nearly 99% who are unaccredited, how to put their money into building local businesses and resilient regional economies-and profit in the process. A revolutionary toolbox for social change, written with compelling personal stories, the book delivers the most thorough overview available of local investment options, explains the obstacles, and profiles investors who have paved the way. Shuman demystifies the growing realm of local investment choices-from institutional lending to investment clubs and networks, local investment funds, community ownership, direct public offerings, local stock exchanges, crowdfunding, and more. He also guides readers through the lucrative opportunities to invest locally in their homes, energy efficiency, and themselves. A rich resource for both investors and the entrepreneurs they want to support, Local Dollars, Local Sense eloquently shows how to truly protect your financial future--and your community's.

Local money has been used for hundreds of years and throughout the world, yet very few of us understand what it's all about. Recently, Bristol and Brixton launched their own 'Pounds', but why? We all need money - to stay alive, to buy essential goods and services. But when jobs and money are in short supply it's largely because 97% of national money is controlled by the private banking industry. They trade, gamble and invest money where they can earn the biggest profit. And when the banks are in trouble so are ordinary people.By contrast, local currencies are owned by the community. They are designed to support local businesses, local jobs, local producers and services, local crafts and artists, community initiatives, charities, volunteers, etc. They create strong social networks and ensure that the community thrives even in a recession. By keeping the currency local, they protect it from speculators who will only invest if there is a profit to be had.This pamphlet explains the practical differences between national and local money - how local currencies work, what they can do that national money can't do, and why they are needed. If you are lucky enough to have a local currency, find out why you should join it. If you don't, you might be inspired to start one!Local money has been used for hundreds of years and throughout the world, yet very few of us understand what it's all about. Recently, Bristol and Brixton launched their own 'Pounds', but why? We all need money - to stay alive, to buy essential goods and services. But when jobs and money are in short supply it's largely because 97% of national money is controlled by the private banking industry. They trade, gamble and invest money where they can earn the biggest profit. And when the banks are in trouble so are ordinary people.By contrast, local currencies are owned by the community. They are designed to support local businesses, local jobs, local producers and services, local crafts and artists, community initiatives, charities, volunteers, etc. They create strong social networks and ensure that the community thrives even in a recession. By keeping the currency local, they protect it from speculators who will only invest if there is a profit to be had.This pamphlet explains the practical differences between national and local money - how local currencies work, what they can do that national money can't do, and why they are needed. If you are lucky enough to have a local currency, find out why you should join it. If you don't, you might be inspired to start one!Local money has been used for hundreds of years and throughout the world, yet very few of us understand what it's all about. Recently, Bristol and Brixton launched their own 'Pounds', but why? We all need money - to stay alive, to buy essential goods and services. But when jobs and money are in short supply it's largely because 97% of national money is controlled by the private banking industry. They trade, gamble and invest money where they can earn the biggest profit. And when the banks are in trouble so are ordinary people.By contrast, local currencies are owned by the community. They are designed to support local businesses, local jobs, local producers and services, local crafts and artists, community initiatives, charities, volunteers, etc. They create strong social networks and ensure that the community thrives even in a recession. By keeping the currency local, they protect it from speculators who will only invest if there is a profit to be had.This pamphlet explains the practical differences between national and local money - how local currencies work, what they can do that national money can't do, and why they are needed. If you are lucky enough to have a local currency, find out why you should join it. If you don't, you might be inspired to start one!

Local money has been used for hundreds of years and throughout the world, yet very few of us understand what it's all about. In the last few years, many more local currencies have been launched, but why? We all need money - to stay alive, to buy essential goods and services. But when jobs and money are in short supply it's largely because 97% of national money is controlled by the private banking industry. They trade, gamble and invest money where they can earn the biggest profit. And when the banks are in trouble so are ordinary people. By contrast, local currencies are owned by the community. They are designed to support local businesses, local jobs, local producers and services, local crafts and artists, community initiatives, charities, volunteers, etc. They create strong social networks and ensure that the community thrives even in a recession. By keeping the currency local, they protect it from speculators who will only invest if there is a profit to be had. This pamphlet explains the practical differences between national and local money - how local currencies work, what they can do that national money can't do, and why they are needed. If you are lucky enough to have a local currency, find out why you should join it. If you don't, you might be inspired to start one!

This publications was developed in a continuing effort to develop new resources that office and industrial development professionals can use to shape the business landscape of the new millennium. Discusses the primary influences to productive community growth. Shows that not all jobs stimulate the local economy and not all population growth leads to prosperity. Defines the kind of industry a community must attract in order to increase both the quantity and quality of money that flows into the local economy. One of the goals of Smart Growth should be to have a thriving community in which all citizens benefit. This fresh outlook on growth will be a valuable tool for those who want to live and work in vibrant and financially secure communities. Illus.