How money moves

A big car pulled up outside the only hotel in the small village. A wealthy American strode up to the reception desk and spoke to the proprietor.

"How much for your best room for the night?"

"One hundred euro, payable in advance." came the reply.

The American took a roll of notes from his pocket, peeled off a €100 note and placed it on the reception counter.

"I want to see the room before I decide."

A staff member was summoned and duly escorted the prospective guest up the stairs to view the accommodation. Meanwhile, the hotelier grabbed the cash off the counter and ran across the road to the local butcher. He placed the note on the butcher's counter.

"That's off what I owe you Paddy."

He returned to his hotel just as the butcher left his shop and jumped into his car. Minutes later the butcher pulled into the yard of the local beef farmer.

"That's off what I owe you Joe"

As Paddy arrived back at his shop, Joe was arriving at the local hardware store. Once again the note was handed over.

"That's off what I owe you Mary."

The wealthy American descended the stairs just moments after Mary left the hotel, having placed the €100 note on the counter in part-payment of her outstanding account.

"I don't like that room. I won't be staying."

He picked up his cash and left.

That's how money moves, and how an economy works.

So let's spend a little here in our village to get our local economy moving. It will all come back to us in the end.