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When Money Dies: In Venezuela, A Haircut Costs 5 Bananas And 2 Eggs
Gold Is Money ^ | 5-6-2018

Posted on 05/06/2018 11:11:31 AM PDT by blam

For Venezuela's economy, the ascent into socialist paradise did not turn out quite as planned: in fact, under the Maduro regime, the country with the world's biggest petroleum reserves somehow reversed course, and crashed through every single circle of economic hell, and now that its hyperinflation has hit levels that would make even Mugabe and Rudy von Havenstein blush, all that's left is barter.

And, as Fabiola Zerpa explains as part of Bloomberg's fascinating "Life in Caracas" series, i.e., watching economic and social collapse in real-time, in Venezuela, a haircut now costs 5 bananas and 2 eggs.

The other day, I made a baguette-for-parking swap. It worked out brilliantly

I had time but, as usual, no bolivars. The attendant at the cash-only lot had some bills but no chance to leave his post during the fleeting moments the bakery nearby put his favorite bread on sale. The deal: He let me leave my car, and I came back with an extra loaf, acquired with my debit card. He reimbursed me—giving me a bonus of spare change for my pocket.

That’s how we make do in our collapsing economy. If somebody has lots of one thing and too little of another, an arrangement can be made. I’ve exchanged corn meal for rice with friends from high school, eggs for cooking oil with my sister-in-law. Street vendors barter, too, taking, say, a kilo of sugar as payment for one of flour. There are Facebook pages and chat-room groups devoted to the swap-ability of everything from toothpaste to baby formula.

A barber in the countryside cuts hair for yuccas, bananas or eggs. Moto-taxi drivers will get you where you need to go for carton of cigarettes. The owners of one of my favorite Mexican restaurants offer a plate

(snip)

(Excerpt) Read more at goldismoney2.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: food; inflation; socialism; venezuela
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To: blam

And, if they do a good job, you give them a tip of two olives...


       

21 posted on 05/06/2018 11:41:48 AM PDT by Songcraft ("Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
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To: ETL
oooohh sh!t... LOL!!!
22 posted on 05/06/2018 11:41:49 AM PDT by Chode (You have all of the resources you are going to have. Abandon your illusions and plan accordingly.)
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To: BenLurkin

$2-3 US. But the airfare there would kill you.


23 posted on 05/06/2018 11:45:30 AM PDT by Rebelbase (YETI deathwatch, tick, tick, tick......)
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To: Gen.Blather

Welfare 1964, the beginning of Printing Excess Money

Coinage Act of 1965, the realization we were going bankrupt, removing ALL precious metals from our currency

Closing the Gold Window August 15, 1971, the Formal Declaration to the World that the US was Officially Bankrupt.

I have lived it and still carry 2 silver dollars in my pocket to remind people of what happened.

Up until 1964, inflation(THEFT OF VALUE)was ILLEGAL!!!


24 posted on 05/06/2018 11:48:35 AM PDT by eyeamok
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To: Tonytitan
I wonder what the Ladies of the Evening are accepting for pay these days.

Bananas and eggs, because that's the price of a trim.

25 posted on 05/06/2018 11:49:32 AM PDT by sailor76 ( TRUMP, is still my hero.)
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To: Rebelbase

Understood. But we’re talking about a country where food is scarce.

For five bananas and two eggs I’d expect more.

Thankful not there to know for sure.


26 posted on 05/06/2018 11:51:35 AM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: blam

These poor people must not have any guns.


27 posted on 05/06/2018 11:52:33 AM PDT by TalBlack (It's hard to shoot people when they are shooting back at you...)
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To: ETL

Like it. A yellow egg where the star is would be hysterical. A shirt or hat with the logo would be quite the conversation piece.


28 posted on 05/06/2018 11:52:51 AM PDT by PA Engineer (Liberate America from the Occupation Media.)
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To: blam

I’d rather eat and cut my own hair.


29 posted on 05/06/2018 11:53:13 AM PDT by BookmanTheJanitor
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To: ETL
These folks aren't starving.


30 posted on 05/06/2018 11:53:22 AM PDT by armourenthusiast (Trumperific)
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To: BenLurkin

“For five bananas and two eggs I’d expect more.”

Shave and a wax?


31 posted on 05/06/2018 11:54:04 AM PDT by Rebelbase (YETI deathwatch, tick, tick, tick......)
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To: blam
The linked article mentions: "... a time of mind-numbing shortages of basic goods and exploding inflation. "

The author of the article seems to be missing the point. There is no shortage of basic goods. There is only a shortage of the freedom to provide or obtain such goods.

32 posted on 05/06/2018 11:55:59 AM PDT by William Tell
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To: Publius

Bill Whittle: Socialism is For Suckers-Venezeula

An excellent description of the qualities of socialism...

33 posted on 05/06/2018 12:04:59 PM PDT by rlmorel (Leftists: They believe in the "Invisible Hand" only when it is guided by government.)
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To: rlmorel

BTTT


34 posted on 05/06/2018 12:05:56 PM PDT by thesearethetimes... (Had I brought Christ with me, the outcome would have been different. Dr.Eric Cunningham)
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To: rlmorel

35 posted on 05/06/2018 12:11:10 PM PDT by Kozak (DIVERSITY+PROXIMITY=CONFLICT)
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To: blam

In a barter economy, there is very little pressure for inflation.

In an economy with currency that is not convertible to gold, the government can print more and more bills and distribute them, leading the people to believe they actually have more money.

The government has a vested interest in causing prices to rise out of control. People in government are protected by cost-of-living raises. Those with savings are rendered instantly poor.


36 posted on 05/06/2018 12:11:15 PM PDT by I want the USA back (Lying Media: willing and eager allies of the hate-America left.)
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To: Kozak

Great graphic...I’m archiving that one...thanks!


37 posted on 05/06/2018 12:12:54 PM PDT by rlmorel (Leftists: They believe in the "Invisible Hand" only when it is guided by government.)
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To: blam

They need to start trading for ammunition.


38 posted on 05/06/2018 12:21:50 PM PDT by Vince Ferrer
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To: Zeneta

Great song
Thanks for posting it


39 posted on 05/06/2018 12:28:36 PM PDT by Truthoverpower (The guvmint you get is the Trump winning express !)
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To: BenLurkin

Supercuts charges $21 for a haircut.
Next time I am there I will offer 5 bananas and 2 eggs.
They might take it and mix it up and use it as a hair conditioner......


40 posted on 05/06/2018 12:33:21 PM PDT by minnesota_bound
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