Maybe it's endemic to my generation--a generation raised by parents of the Great Depression (the first one) but I spend a good amount of time thinking about money. There's nothing wrong with money--money isn't the root of all evil, the reckless pursuit of money is. Nevertheless, of late, maybe because the economy is so gloomy and my kids are so expensive I've been thinking about it a lot.
Just today I came upon this article from last Sunday's Wall Street Journal: "Cash-Strapped California's IOUs: Just the Latest Sub for Dollars" As neo-fascist as the Journal is, you have to give them credit--they can really write. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124846739587579877.html
The article talks about substitutes for cash through the ages. Municipalities and businesses issuing IOUs on lumber, old tires and clam shells. But my favorite of all was from Minneapolis which gave out "sauerkraut notes" instead of cash.
I know the job market sucks right now and beggars can't be choosers but I draw the line at sauerkraut.
It's a brilliant barter if you've got a truckload of kielbasa.
ReplyDeleteSpoken like someone in the late stages of pregnancy.
ReplyDeleteindeed and interesting piece. I hope i can use my own beautifully designed scrips at path mark this weekend.And at Staples, buying more ink for the printer.
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