Money

I agree with the mentioning of it being a tool, to be used for good or evil.
For example: Charity = Good/Banking Establishments = Evil.
When money was a bartering chip based on the gold standard, it was used purely for trade, and even in those times other items could be used instead of cash-money.
Now, money is represented by near useless paper with numbers on it, or made out of non-precious metals. I couldn't walk into any "proper" business and say:
"I have 200 lighters, and I need a pack of smokes. You have 200 packs of smokes, and no lighters. Lets make a deal."

Money is time?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVRpA-_jzV4

Cosmopolis, David Cronenberg

I wish we lived in a gift economy. Now if only there's a commune with fast internet connection.

I'm interested in the gift economy too. I wish there were more info online explaining how it's supposed to work.

Lots of communes have fast internet btw.

Oh. If that's so I wonder how does one sign up to live in one. A lot of communes wouldn't accept outsiders or travelers as they're very family oriented and the acceptance of outsiders sometimes lead to drug abuse. I'm looking for one in Australia. . Maybe for a year. I might want to stay if I like it. .

V-Tog wrote:

Now that I have SOME money, it's much more difficult not to feel "I could just do with a little more..." - whereas when I had none I wasn't thinking like that, I was thinking "life without money is actually not so bad..."

This is the trap of Attachment!

We who are required to live in the hustle and bustle of social norms must have money, but how much is enough and what do we REALLY need?

Contemplate on what we really use day-to-day vs. what we have in "STUFF".

Ten years ago I found myself in a situation that made me rely on the kindness of others; I had no job, no home, no car, no possessions, just the clothes on my back. It was, in one sense, liberating and in another, terrifying. What it did for me though, was that it made me very aware of how I value money and possessions, also other things like love and relationships. So now, ten years later, money for me is just a means to an end, I can take it or leave it. What is important is the relationships that I have with those that are close to me and enjoying the experience of being alive. The funny thing is, now that I don't care about money, I have more of it than I ever have in my whole life. I just go where life takes me.