[Rosemary]

Whether we like it or not, Christmas is coming. Plus birthdays, anniversaries and so on. If you're looking for a gift for the person who has everything, consider a Kiva account and $25 www.kiva.org.

The recipient can lend the $25 to an entrepreneur in the developing world (many are small farmers like us) to help them grow and expand or improve their practices. THey'll pay the loan back, ready for the gift recipient to loan again.

Truly the gift that goes on giving- it beats socks and doesn't damage the liver or the waistline

[doganjo]

Thanks Rosemary, was wondering what to give my sister and brother-in-law for their anniversary - just bought them a kiva account.

[faith0504]

thats a fantastic idea, thanks 

[Crofter]

Great idea!

[JulieS]

What a great idea.  Many thanks Rosemary. 

[ellied]

A group I belong to (31 people) just decided to open a kiva account and put in what we can initially, without listing who paid what but with a suggested £25 donation..  We got something like £800 of a pot to start making a difference, just loving the opportunity to help others get going without being crippled in interest debts which are purely for the profits of the banks.

I recently watched (with the same group) a film about what money really is and how it is created and I was utterly shocked to realise it is made and controlled by a private corporation (not the regulated banks themselves or the governments) and that they just print the amount borrowed (ie make the money) but not the interest so any money you see, handle or get paid is somebody's capital debt being circulated while they try to generate the interest payments out of thin air using the same pieces of paper, hence there isn't enough money and we all fight for it in order to not be one of the defaulters..  Utter madness!

Film is called the Money Fix I think if you want to go and find it online..

[melodrama]

This is a perfect gift for my in-laws.  Thanks Rosemary, no longer have to stress about their Christmas presents x

[northfifeduckling]

I recently watched (with the same group) a film about what money really is and how it is created and I was utterly shocked to realise it is made and controlled by a private corporation (not the regulated banks themselves or the governments) and that they just print the amount borrowed (ie make the money) but not the interest so any money you see, handle or get paid is somebody's capital debt being circulated while they try to generate the interest payments out of thin air using the same pieces of paper, hence there isn't enough money and we all fight for it in order to not be one of the defaulters..  Utter madness!

Film is called the Money Fix I think if you want to go and find it online..

very interesting, Ellie. Money is definitely virtual in nature - unless you hold it in your hand! That's why I love swaps and alternative currencies 

great idea, Rosemary, will pass that on to a few friends, too. 

[doganjo]

I like the way this gift is self perpetuating - one person gives and actual amount - can be small, (but a lot of smalls makes a big)it is loaned out, then repaid, and loaned out again, and repaid - ad infinitum!  Brilliant idea!