How do I turn off new member alerts?

Once you've signed in, click the Update Profile link to edit your Profile. Tick the Turn off new member alerts box, scoll to the bottom of the page to enter your password and press Update.

How can I guarantee that other people will return the favour?

You can't. This idea is about trust in humanity and the universe. That trust is your only guarantee. But also, it's about giving in a spirit that you don't even care if you receive, as the giving is just another form of receiving; if it makes you feel good, everything else is a bonus.

Is it safe?

Members can leave references for members. If someone has a lot of positive messages, then the risk factor is getting very small.

However we cannot guarantee that every member is genuine, though we'd like to think they are. What we do suggest though is that on first meeting someone you should have another friend around as well, or at least tell someone that you are having a Freeconomist around.

But remember, this idea is about trust. So take care, but not too much.

Why can I only see members within a 10 mile radius of my house?

The freeconomy community is not about making friends around the world. There are plenty of web-sites that do that already, some like 'Couch-surfing' which we even recommend.

This site is about reconnecting with those people who live in the same local community as you, the people you often pass on the street but don't even know well enough to say hello to. In even the smallest town now there will be someone with the skills you need. The problem up to this point has been the fact you don't know who can do what. The freeconomy community's role in this respect is to act as a facilitator to allow you to find the person you need to help you.

If there isn't a freeconomist in your town who can do the job you need, start spreading the freeconomy word and in no time there will be someone with that skill! Click here for ideas on how to spread the word.

To get a feel for the freeconomy movement worldwide zoom out on your home map to see the numbers of members per country.

What if someone wants to do work but asks for a fee?

Explain to the person this site is called Freeconomy and not Feeconomy, and you want to reduce the amount of money which changes hands, not increase it, and so you cannot offer financial remuneration.

Then contact the site administration and report them and we will send out a warning. If the same member is reported again, they're membership is withdrawn.

But we don't think we'll ever have to do it.

What if I get inundated with requests because no one else has my skill?

Be delighted that you have such a rare skill and do as much as you feel comfortable with. There is no obligation to help anyone, let alone everyone - this is a voluntary idea remember!

However if you help more people, you'll have more friends and therefore help build more community. And if you also teach people as you're lending a hand, then eventually there will be more people to do that skill, and you won't get so many requests! The bigger this community gets, the less everyone will have to do!

What happens if someone breaks my tools?

The freeconomy community's role in this is to make it possible for fellow freeconomists to see who has what tools and to then enable them to make contact. What agreements individual members come to regarding the terms of loaning equipment is completely up to the two parties involved.

Having said that, this is project based on trust. We would like to think members would offer their tools on a trust basis and that if another member accidentally caused some damage to the tool, that they would reciprocate the kindness and take responsibility for it. That is the spirit this community is founded on.

What if a volunteer lodger steals from my house?

It's no different than having a paid lodger really, except that they are most likely really passionate about something you are passionate about too.

It's up to the freeconomists involved to agree the terms, but it's all on a voluntary basis so again you are free to do whatever you want at any time. We would advice, however, that you give the lodger enough time to find alternative accommodation unless there are extreme circumstances.

But remember, it is a volunteer, the vast majority of who are not looking for material gain, as if they were they would just do paid work!

What if there is no one else in my town?

It means you are a pioneer and a potential leader. First, check out the 'Spread the Word' page on this site, print off the poster and leaflet and put it up in your community centre, local notice board, nearby organic / health food shops, or anywhere else that will accept it! Then tell all the friends you already have about the idea, and tell them to tell theirs, and them to tell theirs and so on. In no time there'll be people there you don't know with skills you don't have.

This idea will need leaders with persistence. Be proud to be one of them.

What if a skill I have isn't listed?

First, search for it using our search option, it might just be in a category you didn't expect. If you still cannot find it, add it in the registration process and it will get automatically updated, though all additions are checked by our administrator. No skill is too ridiculous! We have over 600 skills already in our database though, so we don't expect too many additions!

What if I find myself not using money anymore?

Then this idea has worked and you have created your own Freeconomy. But until that day, remember it's all about degrees and limiting the amount of money you use. Every act of help, er, helps. So don't worry if it takes you years, when Mother Nature made time she was very generous!

How can I help build this community locally and worldwide?

You can build your own Freeconomy in your own community by printing off the poster in our 'Spread the Word' page and by putting it up in your community centre, local notice board, nearby organic / health food shops, or anywhere that will accept it! You can also print out the leaflet and hand it out to yet-to-be friends! You can even go around and stick it in your neighbours letterboxes - put your contact details (username or email or address etc.) on it so they can get back to you.

But it can also grow by telling everyone you already know. Talk to all your mates about it, text everyone in your phonebook about it and email everyone in your contacts list about it!

And if it starts to really take off in your community, feel free to start up your own meetings, have party nights and take on the whole concept as your own! If you do, let us here know what you've done and we will post it on the site. There are never enough good news stories!

Also, members in non-English speaking countries can volunteer to convert the web-site into their own language, helping other people in that country to join! Click on 'Help Us' at the bottom of the homepage to find out how you can join us.

Or if you have any other ideas in how to help, go to 'Contact Us' and select the appropriate email address.