Anacostia Hours

Are Anacostia HOURS real money?

Yes! They are as valid as US dollars. They are just as taxable as US dollars. But HOURS are issued by a local community organization, Anacostia HOURS, Inc., rather than by a national government.

Can we use dollars and HOURS together?

Yes. For example, for a clock selling at $15.00 one might offer one HOUR plus $5.00. For an hour of labor one might offer one HOUR plus $2.50. And so on.

Does this mean that I should never pay more than an HOUR per services?

Not at all. The COST of providing a service often is not closely related to the TIME it takes to provide a service. In addition to the main provider’s time, considerable overhead and background cost may be involved (support staff, rent, training, equipment, supplies, etc.). Exchanges involving HOURS are entirely voluntary, at whatever fee or price is agreeable to all.

How can I get HOURS?

1. Offer goods or services in the Anacostia HOURS Directory. Once you submit the Membership Application form and pay your directory listing fee, you will receive a disbursement of 2 HOURS (equivalent to $20.00). You can start earning HOURS when people contact you about your offer(s) through the directory.
2. If you are already a member, pay your annual listing fee and you will receive another 2 HOURS disbursement.
3. If you work for a business which accepts HOURS, offer to take part of your pay in HOURS. If you fill out and send in the form and become an Employee Member of HOURS, you will receive 2 HOURS disbursement.
4. If you sign-up as a Supporter of the system and pay an application fee, you will receive 2 HOURS disbursement.
5. Ask for Anacostia HOURS as part of your change from a purchase from businesses accepting HOURS. Taking HOURS as change can make social change by moving our money through the community so it can do its work.
6. Accept HOURS at a yard sale, as payment for chores, or any other exchange you arrange.

How can I join Anacostia HOURS?

There are three membership categories for Anacostia HOURS:

1. People, businesses or organizations who sign-up to submit listings to the Anacostia HOURS Directory.
2. Employees of member businesses who accept HOURS as a regular part of their pay and who sign up as an “employee member”.
3. People who sign-up as Supporters of the system.

How much is the HOURS Directory listing fee?

$5.00 (first offer listing) + ($2.50× number of additional offers listing). You can pay your annual listing fee in $$ or HOURS.

What are Anacostia HOURS?

Anacostia HOURS are local paper money, traded within the communities of Mount Rainier, Brentwood, North Brentwood and Hyattsville and surrounding areas.

What is an HOUR worth?

One HOUR is equivalent to $10.

Who can benefit from HOURS?

Everyone who needs more spending power and has extra time, including: full-time employees who want a second job on their own schedule, part-time employees, underemployed workers who seek income from their skill, the unemployed, the housebound, seniors, kids ages 12 and up, everyone who wants to develop a part- or full-time business doing what they enjoy, business people who want more customers.

Who can use HOURS?

Any one can use HOURS. Members of Anacostia HOURS, Inc. have made a written commitment to accept and use HOURS. But people can use HOURS on a regular or occasional basis without being members.

Who prints and issues HOURS?

Decisions to print and issue HOURS are made by those who attend the Circulation Meeting of Anacostia HOURS Inc.  Anyone who advertises their willingness to accept HOURS may vote. They decide which denominations will be printed. They decide how many HOURS will be paid for a new sign-up.  The notes are stamped with serial numbers and signed by a treasurer and a secretary of Anacostia HOURS, Inc.

Why don’t member businesses accept 100 percent HOURS for purchases and services?

We recommend that each business have an acceptance policy which brings in HOURS at a rate proportional to its ability to spend those HOURS.  No one benefits if a business receives more HOURS than it can use and readily put back into circulation. All businesses and individuals have the right to determine and change their own acceptance policy.

Why is our local currency called “Anacostia HOURS”?

The name HOURS encourages people to think about the value of everyone’s time and reminds us that the real source of money’s value is created by people—their time, skills and energy. Also Anacostia means “trading town” from the Anacostan Indians who lived in the regions of the Anacostia River watershed. We chose Anacostia to honor Native Americans, and we think the meaning is suitable for our local currency.

Why not just use dollars?

Conventional employment doesn’t provide us with enough dollars to do all the trading we need. HOURS represent the productive potential of grassroots enterprise. As well, HOURS will stay in our communities, promoting local control of the environmental and social aspects of commerce.