The economy is based on Neopoints. Users can also exchange real money for Neocash, used exclusively for the NC Mall; however, Neopoints cannot be exchanged for Neocash and vice versa to keep Neopets fair.[11] Users can earn Neopoints through playing games, selling items, and other transactions.[12] Once earned, they can be saved in the bank, used to buy items from other users or non-player character (NPC) shops, used to buy and sell stocks in the Neopian stock market called the Neodaq, or used to buy various other things.[7] Items can be bought from shops found throughout the world of Neopia that are run by NPCs who may allow haggling. Users can open their own shops to sell items, sometimes after obtaining those items at a lower price from sources such as other shops or charities. Items may also be exchanged through trade or auction.