‘…But I’ll just use my friends.”

:D Yes, it sounds harsh, but good friends will say, "That's what friends are for!"

For those who are withdrawn, have busy social lives, or focus on their kids, maintaining adult friendships can be tough. It's a burden to engage in frequent small talk or only be there when someone needs something. Being a constant giver, consumer, or sacrificing for others who seem to have greater needs can feel overwhelming.

You need to remember which friends can help, are willing to help, and then schedule the favor. This responsibility falls on you, not them. If you're always asking for help, you risk being seen as the person who only calls when they need something, and it feels awful.

If you're the friend who's always there for others, it's challenging to decide whom to help. Do you assist the one who's always in need but never seems to get their life together? Do they genuinely contribute? How many chances have they already had?

This is where a timebank can help. However, most timebanks are limited to specific non-profits or communities and assume everyone's hour is equally valuable. But let's be honest: the value of an hour varies based on a person's abilities, character, expertise, and work ethic. If we were better friends, we'd hang out more often, not just when we need help.

When you acknowledge my sacrifices with credits, and I can exchange those credits for something beneficial, it's a win-win-win situation. Those who constantly exploit others lose out, while the generous people who give their time freely make the world a better place and can realize how much they actually do for others - by collecting credits and holding on to them like a record, crediting the next awesome selfless person, or redeeming them at shops to save money on things they already enjoy!