Everything for Nothing

Getting something for nothing has taken on a whole new meaning, especially for the members of a bartering group in Amsterdam called Noppes, or For Nothing. Members buy products and services using their own currency: Nothings. Here chairwoman Jacquelien tells us about the concept.

It was back in 1997 that Jacquelien joined For Nothing, which had been active for four years. ‘I’d heard about the initiative, but only really came into contact with them when I visited a neighbourhood market they organised. At the entrance, visitors of the gathering could buy Nothings for euros and then spend them on a hairdresser or a piece of homemade apple pie.’ 

Social deal

The element that appealed to Jacquelien the most was the good atmosphere that this open trading system promoted. ‘Members of For Nothing are often very creative and open-minded. The system functions as a union, and feels reliable to its members. This way of trading yields more than just an economic deal; it’s a social agreement that lets one add something extra to the concept of money. It makes it possible to help people and they, in turn, can help you.’

Members of For Nothing are very diverse, reports Jacquelien. ‘There isn’t just one common ground and the motivations to join the club aren’t all alike either. Some want to sell recently discovered talents in a well-known environment; others are very ideological and reject the concept of money as a whole.’

Canadian origin

The initial idea for a barter club originated in Canada. ‘After a factory closed down in a Canadian town, the former employees were without a job and money. They looked at each other and decided that even without it, they had a lot they could offer to one another. The result was a barter system for products and services.’

Soon, the concept spread throughout the world. ‘In Argentina, for example, the system was very big in 2000 when the national currency was unstable. But also in the Netherlands, every city has its own barter club.’

To the sauna for nothing

Although one can buy nearly everything with Nothings, the system isn’t entirely self-sufficient. ‘Surely, there are institutions that one cannot avoid. Paying your landlord in Nothings still remains an illusion.’ However, they’ve come as far as a digital payment system to facilitate the use of Nothings in many different situations.

Jacquelien is most happy with the purchase of a hip bath. ‘I bought it for Nothings and the transportation was paid for with Nothings as well. Those products and services that are often an unattainable luxury become accessible with our system. There’s an architect amongst the active members who offers his services, and the forum regularly shows messages of members renting their sauna or promoting a professional pedicure service. Since we don’t pay taxes on our products and services if we don’t make a certain yearly income, For Nothing, prices are lower.’

Trading system with surplus

Unfortunately, the club is currently fighting a loss of members. In its heyday 1200 members was the norm, but today’s participants sum up to only 400. Jacquelien strives to change this situation. ‘I think there’s a change visible in how society sees and deals with money. Sustainable trades, banks and companies allow for a more conscious way of dealing with money.’

With this oncoming trend, Jacquelien thinks that the barter system is of great value. ‘Money is a potentially corrupting force because of an inherent characteristic: that with money one can make more money. On the other hand, a barter system brings love and respect with its deals, and I would love for everyone to experience that trading perk. My goal as the current chair is to make our club bigger and livelier and to grow into a viable initiative, at least here in Amsterdam.’

Learn more about Noppes on their website: http://www.noppes.nl/npps/index.php  (in Dutch).

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By Anne Brugts, content manager

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This month we serve up stories within the theme ‘Talking Money’. What’s your story?