One reason our economy is hurting is because central banks, banks, and governments are extracting more money from the people than they are returning to the people. It’s as simple as that.

There are ways to get around that – at least to some extent.

I didn’t have to come up with cash because I did some sort of work exchanges with people who had unutilized living space.

I’ve watered yards at a tiny cabin. I’ve watered yards at a mansion.

I’ve loved and taken care of dogs, cats, lizards, horses, and chickens.

I’ve made phone calls.

I’ve managed a spa hotel in the California desert.

I’ve shopped and cooked.

I’ve created websites.

I’ve moved people’s stuff back and forth from one location to another.

The list goes on.

The bottom line is that I’m humble and eager to help.

Quite honestly, it was a tremendous relief to have work exchanges available.

The list continues to grow.

Here are some tips for getting work exchanges.

1. Be sincerely friendly and kind. You’ll have a much better chance if people like you.
2. Be neat and clean. Leave the home in better shape than you found it.
3. Be trustworthy. After all, people are letting you live in their home or workplace.
4. Be sincerely and openly appreciative. People like to be around appreciative people. Talk about your blessings.
5. Let people know that you’re looking for a work exchange. Many of my work exchanges have come through referrals.
6. Be humble and willing to do whatever work is desired. That makes you very desirable as a working tenant.

Of course you’ll want to have money income sources too. But there are many creative ways to minimize your expenses.

Your friend,
Jim Kitzmiller

P.S. I’m looking for another work-rent exchange to start around May 20.

We’ve seen the results personally. Many of our friends have valuable services and products. They know people who would like their services and products. Yet nothing happens because it seems that nobody has money.There are ways to get around this.

People sit in a sort of paralysis. They sit idle when they would rather be working doing something they love.

Airplanes fly with empty seats. Radio advertising slots go unused. Consultants have empty time slots in their calendars. Massage therapists don’t give massages. The list goes on.

When these opportunities are gone, they are gone forever. The ten o’clock time slot goes by with nobody benefitting. Stuff doesn’t get made. People don’t get transported. They don’t get massages.

The whole society loses when creativity, productivity, or delivery are shut down due to lack of money.

What Can We Do?

Excellent question. Although we will continue to use money when necessary, we can also do stuff without money. Possibilities include:

• Pay it forward (The “Pay It Forward” movie shows people simply doing something to help another with no expectation of personal return. The recipient of the goodies is expected to help someone else.)
• Barter
• Charity
• Labors of love donated for free. We’ve seen this with Open Source Software development. And it takes place in many ways we don’t see.

A widespread practice of the above will help the world in general. And it might just help each of us. The giver gets a sense of fulfillment, work experience, and good job references. And the giver just might get something in return.

Good Questions to Ask

After briefly explaining my intentions, I’ll be asking people the following questions. You might like to do the same.

• How can we help each other?
• Do you know someone who has something they aren’t using fully? Examples might be a house, office space, productivity tools, or their time.
• Do you know someone who wants something I have or something I can produce?
• Do you know someone who has something I might want?

You can probably come up with many more ideas of your own.

I really would appreciate your ideas and experiences. Please feel free to write a reply below.

May the bliss be with you.

Your friend,
Jim