How to Make a Labor Co-op Work for You

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Bert Lance's financial difficulties may have been plastered all over the newspapers ... but that doesn't make them any more important, on an individual basis, than the dollar squeeze most of us "ordinary" folks now increasingly find ourselves in.

You know what I'm talking about: How, despite your best budgeting efforts, an unexpected shot for the family pet or an absolutely essential repair on the ole bike always seems to keep you dipping into next month's rent money.

Well, believe it or not, I've discovered a way to take care of most of those little budget bleeders for free (or mighty close to it). And you can too. All it takes is a little energy and a little commitment.

FREE SIG IS THE ANSWER

I belong to a Los Angeles, Californiabased labor cooperative called Free Sig. ("Sig" stands for Special Interest Group. The organization was first set up as an affiliate of the Mensa Society, and then opened to the public.) If my experience is any indication, a cooperative like ours can be just the "secret weapon" you need to make each month run out before your money does ... instead of the other way 'round.

Free Sig was created by guitar player and teacher Richard Johnson a little over a year ago. It was certainly the right idea at the right time, though, because-during its first 12 months the co-op blossomed from merely a "damned good idea" into a tight organization of 100 members offering each other 150 no-cost services.

And not odd—ball things that nobody really wants either! Free Sig members are exchanging "real live" services that any MOTHER reader can appreciate: appliance repairs, architectural renderings, automobile and bicycle renovations, child care, dance therapy, ham radio instruction, advice on herbs, leatherwork, training in natural childbirth, plumbing and electrical help, quiltmaking lessons, veterinary medicine, and yoga instruction ... to name just a few.

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS

The most unique feature of our co-op is that, unlike other organizations of this nature I've heard about, Free Sig's exchange of skills and services is not based on an hour-for-hour barter or trade. Instead, each member is expected only to commit a certain number of hours per week to the general labor pool".

How many hours? There's no hard and fast rule. You make that decision according to your own schedule. Furthermore, you're never required to put in any specified minimum amount of your time each and every week. As a matter of fact, the co-op now has so many members offering each other such a variety of services that many individuals belonging to the organization receive no more than one or two calls a month for their skills.

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