Broke after Christmas? Maxine Gordon reports on a way to buy what you want

without spending a penny.

EMPTY bank balances are a common hangover at this time of year.

Dreams of having your hair done, the front room decorated or buying some winter woollies to keep the cold at bay are just that - pure fantasy, to be put off until your finances recover from their embarrassment.

But for some people in York, money is no object. They can have what they want, when they want, without giving a thought to the constraints of cash.

And it's not because they are lottery winners.

They belong to YorkLETS, the York Local Exchange Trading System, a bartering service where members swap goods and services for Yorkys, the organisation's "currency". A Yorky (spelt so as not to clash with the famous choccie bar) is equivalent to £1 and members can start spending - and earning them - as soon as they join.

For example, someone might decide to "buy" an afternoon of gardening from another member for the sum of ten Yorkys, which would put their account into debit. They could then "sell" some unwanted items or do a deed for another member to clear the balance. Users say the system is better than a traditional "swap" because you don't have to "trade" with the person you "buy" from, but can chose from the entire YorkLETS membership. There are about 50 people on the register - but at its peak, YorkLETS boasted 200 members.

Local exchange trading systems were pioneered in Canada and Australia and there are now more than 600 operating in Britain, allowing thousands of people to exchange goods and skills without money changing hands.

John Cossham joined YorkLETS when it began in 1993 and says it is a fantastic way for people to afford things they might not otherwise be able to.

He said: "I'm quite a curious person. I'm sceptical, but open-minded, and wanted to try complementary therapies. LETS gave me the chance to try them."

John, who is married with two sons, works as a professional children's entertainer.

He reckons he trades up to 30 times a year, often bartering home-produced dried fruit for a variety of products and services. "I've received a few sets of home-made juggling balls, fruit and veg and had a few massages," he said.

John also uses his bike trailer to earn Yorkys by doing courier work and is an expert in home composting, which is another way for him to gain Yorky credits.

House sitting, dog walking, music lessons, language tuition, hair dressing, lending equipment, shopping, cooking, cleaning - these are just some of the varied services available to members.

John says: "YorkLETS offers anything that might be available for money - and then some. Look in the Yellow Pages. Where would you find a plant sitter? But you might meet somebody through YorkLETS who you would trust with your key to water your plants while you are away on holiday."

Among the more unusual trade-offs has been a family who made batches of chocolate mousse in return for their daughter's piano lessons.

Liz Sibthorpe is a more recent devotee of the scheme.

She joined up a couple of years ago, storing up Yorkys by offering her services as an audio-typist and floral arranger in return for DIY jobs around the house.

Liz, who is on incapacity benefit, can spend up to 16 hours a week earning Yorkys without it affecting her income.

She said: "I found a painter and decorator on the list and have had most of the rooms in my flat decorated.

"I came to an arrangement where I paid for the materials and paid for the work half in Yorkys and half in Sterling."

She added: "Because of my illness, my needs are much more practical based - DIY jobs in the house that I can't do. It's been great and really worked out for me."

David Bellis joined YorkLETS five years ago and has earned Yorkys by teaching guitar, and doing portraits and design work. Some of his credits paid towards a reiki practitioners' course.

He said: "It's a good way to make new friendships. I've met some great people through YorkLETS."

Members can also advertise goods for sale, such as bikes, clothes, children's toys in the regular newsletter - all, of course, priced in Yorkys.

It costs £4 a year to be a member, and although you don't have to earn credit before you start spending Yorkys, people are advised to try to keep their balance at zero.

Besides the trading benefits of YorkLETS, members enjoy a thriving social circle too.

From 8pm on the first Monday of each month they meet for a drink at the Royal Oak in Goodramgate - often armed with goods to barter and their Yorky Checkbook.

John says people are welcome to come along and find out more. "Unfortunately, the Royal Oak doesn't accept Yorkys, so when you go to the bar you have to pay in Sterling."

For more information, visit the website www.YorkLETS.org.uk

Updated: 10:59 Tuesday, January 10, 2006