What goes around, comes around.

[pinto]

I dog sit for my sister when she's out of town - I get $20.
A friend helps me with laundry, pick up, wash, dry and fold - she gets $20.
She has an outstanding balance at the vet's. - the dog sitting, laundry help $20 goes to her vet bill.

Kind of a neat package all around.

[Curmudgeoness]

1. That is how all local business works.

I remember the joke about how the same $20 makes the rounds of a town. One gets the $20, and repays a debt to the next person, who repays a debt to another, all around town....and so everyone is now out of debt and everyone feels like life is better now.

[Phentex]

2. The only time I don't like it is the holidays...

relatives exchange gift cards, lol. Or MIL aks for money but then gives my kids money. Wait! Did I just give my kids money?

[GliderGuider]

3. Gift economies rock!

The concept of the "circulating gift" is the key. When you use it as you do, that $20 bill carries with it so much more than economic value. It's a token that acts as a symbol of connection. It holds a piece of your relationship with the one you give it to, so that they can pass it on in turn.

That's a beautiful way to use money.

[pinto]

4. Yep, agree.