One of the most fascinating things that we covered in the Conscious Bookkeeping Level 1 Course was the idea of complementary currency. In fact, an idea that set me on fire was that the most healthy societies have both active currency, or money as we all know it, as well as complementary currency.

 Let's start at the beginning: what is complementary currency? It is defined as any currency that is regulated by those who participate iits exchange, rather than regulated by the government. In other words, it is a system of trade. These systems can become relatively complex, as in local currencies where you have special separate "dollars" that can be exchanged for services and goods within the community of participants. 

How does this support  a society? It keeps local businesses in contact and support oother. If any of you have started your own business, you'll know that there is a lot of benefit from trade to be had in the early stages. I have certainly used trade myself and know that Bari talks quite openly about loving trade as an option in her courses. 

Money is a system of exchange at its heart. It's energy. We have agreed to assign value to paper and use it to negotiate for services and goods among ourselves. When we have a separate system to allow us to creatively address needs that we have in our community, we increase the quality of life. This also allows us to meet needs that the government is missing. I love the story of how in Japan, people could accrue credit for medical care for their elderly parents by offering time in their own service to the complementary currency system. This is energy sharing that serves everyone. You help someone who needs it, and then your parent is able to get the health care he or she needs. 

In this way we are able to address more issues through money. This is not a judgment on standard currency, it is symply a system with limits, like any other. And as we are addressing the economy in this country, I am delighted to share perspective on ways to evolve that will protect and support us in the future. 

 Here are some resources for further reading:

Wikipedia on Complementary Currency.

Complementary Currency Resource Center

Blue Moon Fund: Article on impact of complementary currency in local communities.

Arthur Magazine: Panel discussion on comlementary currency.