Western society, especially in the US has taught us for too long to rely on the almighty dollar. In recent years many of us have learned it isn’t as almighty as we, as a country, had once believed it to be.
Communities of swappers, barterers, and work-traders have cropped up all over the US. Sites like Craigslist, Freecycle, Timebanks, “really, really, free markets” and the like have also become incredibly popular.