Building A Local Economy

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As we watch the economic situation in this and other countries grow bleaker and bleaker, we must also consider how the average person is going to survive higher prices and lower incomes.

For most of human history, barter has worked just fine. Of course, it's much easier to engage in a barter economy within our own small communities. Trading live chickens for lawnmower parts via the internet isn't practical, is it?

The trouble is that we've lost our local economies to mega-corporations and international financial outlets. This means that we must rebuild locally and relearn our local trading skills.

I've just run across an excellent piece entitled 31 Ways to Jump Start the Local Economy that serves as a solid guide for anyone who has the courage and enthusiasm to spearhead such an undertaking.  It lists things you can do as an individual, with friends, and with your community to build a stronger union with neighbors and friends.


As I have said before, and as has been proven repeatedly over the years, the best defense we have against any threat -- any threat!-- is a strong and dedicated band of fellow travelers. I encourage each of you to protect yourself by building a local economic fortress to protect against the instability in our financial ocean today.