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 the 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 penny, which is fantastic!'