My friend and I were brainstorming this idea this morning. I once read about a babysitting co-op, where the members of this exclusive group paid each other with printed “Babysitting Bucks” instead of real money. They basically traded time. Why not start a co-op where members can trade any services they are willing to offer? These could include babysitting, cooking, cleaning, gardening, home repair, organizing, general help, whatever. One person would need to be in charge and start the group; it is easy to start up a yahoo group for email communication, and make it open to members only. That person could print out some “bucks” designating 1 hour increments, 1/2 hour increments and 15 minute increments. Start with your immediate friends. Any new applicants after that would have to have a member vouch for them in order to join, since you’ll be letting these people into your home and entrusting your kids to them. Try to have only high-quality people, so you don’t have to worry about anyone trying to print up the “bucks” themselves or anything like that. Give each new member 5 free hours worth of bucks. Make up a member directory with services offered from each member and contact information. Then, as each member has a need, they can call someone to come and babysit or help them do a project, or clean house, whatever. They would set up the appointment and use the “bucks” to pay that person for the amount of time spent helping them. Then that person has more “bucks” in order to pay someone else for babysitting or whatever help they need. Everyone in the club gets free babysitting and other help each month. The more you help others out, the more “bucks” you get. This could turn into a wonderful little economy. The more trustworthy members you have, the more options for services and availability there would be. I think I’m going to start one today!