Time is money
Time banking
A time bank is where people exchange skills and services online. The unit of currency is hours not money and you can get into debt without paying interest. Time banks are used by people who cannot afford to pay for services. In Greece, where a lot of people have been hit by country's economic crisis, exchange networks are booming. Eleftheria Manos, who has joined an Athens time bank, says the best thing about it is it creates solidarity. How does it work? If for example, you spend two hours babysitting, you will be credited with two hours. Eleftheria has earned ten hours credit giving piano lessons. `So far, I have spent my credit on having my car fixed and getting my hair done and I haven't spent a spent a penny, which is fantastic!'