www.baybucks.org

Welcome to the website for Bay Bucks and home of the Traverse Area Community Currency Corporation.

Where to get Bay Bucks?
Oryana Natural Foods Market always has a good supply and will exchange your federal dollars for Bay Bucks, or just ask for your change in Bay Bucks.

The continued success of Bay Bucks makes them valuable collector items - Buy a set now

Who takes Bay Bucks?
Check the directory for a listing of Bay Bucks members.

The more we use them, the more local wealth we create. It's our own stimulus program.

Help us take Bay Bucks to the next level.

A Warm Welcome to our Newest Members:

Network Traverse City
Up North Global
Eco-Building Products: new location
Spindragon Contracting
Perennial Harvest, LLC
Blackbird Arts
Joanne Robb
Northwoods Computer Repair

Bay Bucks in the News

From CNN Money, January 27, 2012:
"Local currencies: In the U.S. we don't trust"
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- It may seem like Monopoly money to outsiders, but a growing number of communities across the U.S. are using homegrown local currencies to stimulate their economies and protect themselves from the nation's broader economic woes. Read more

"Funny money? 11 local currencies"
CNN Money highlights 11 currency from around the country. Read more

Bay Tender: Bucking the Trend with Local Currency
Grand Traverse Insider Dec. 11, 2011
NORTHERN MICHIGAN – What’s a dollar worth these days? Who says so? What is backing its worth? These are questions that are cause for concern, not just here in the U.S., but worldwide, as currencies that once were considered stable are finding their value decreasing on the global market. Read more

From the radio show
"to the best of our KNOWLEDGE"
Other Money -- Have you ever thought about money? Now, of course you have. Talking about money permeates our existence. But what if there wasn’t any money? What would you do? Listen to the show

News of Note

Bay Bucks -- Get Them & Use Them!

This discussion turns to the theme of economics and the subject is Bay Bucks, the local currency circulating in the larger Traverse City region. Dave is joined by long time Bay Bucks advocate Sharon Flescher, discussing the reasoning behind the creation of a local currency, the seven year history of Bay Bucks and a look to future growth. Local currencies generate the full impact of their multiplier effect in the local economy. None of that economic value is exported to outside economic interests. The key to that success is to get more and more of the local currency in use. Bay Bucks is set to push for another round of expansion.

What's up with Bay Bucks

New members and credit card usage

New businesses now accepting Bay Bucks include Brilliant Books, Cherry Capital Foods and Hearth Meals. It is wonderful to explore the Bay Bucks directory and find new business listed. There are now over 100 businesses accepting Bay Bucks… and it is still growing.

I tried to use only or mostly Bay Bucks for 30 days. This opened my awareness to what I spend money on, at which businesses, and how I could save money.

Holiday shopping with Bay Bucks

Bay Bucks board member Nancy Belton is away for the holidays, but she left a present under the tree for the Bay Bucks community. Here's her blog post with great ideas on using Bay Bucks to help with holiday gifts:

As the holiday season approaches, Bay Bucks are a great way to keep our money local and to help our friends and neighbors.