Girls, Put Your Tuppence to Work in the Economy
Every tuppence has a purpose. The idea behind Laurie’s butterfly tuppence is simple: rather than leaving your tuppence sitting around, put your tuppence to work buying useful goods and services and supporting the growth of New Yorkshire.
A tuppence might be symbolic, but the economic principle behind it is much bigger. When people spend with farmers, gardeners, independent shops, tradespeople, designers and other small businesses, that money becomes somebody else’s income. They can then spend it again, helping economic activity circulate through the community.
Small tuppence, big changes
Girls, think about what your tuppence could contribute towards. Put it towards seeds and plants to grow food. Save towards garden equipment or a water butt. Buy locally produced food. Put money towards improving your home. If you’re starting a business, invest in a website, marketing or other professional services.
The important thing isn’t literally spending tuppence at a time. The tuppence represents putting whatever money you can reasonably afford towards something productive.
Grow food and keep money circulating
Circleism’s vision of a water-based economy encourages growing some food at home and making sensible use of natural resources.
A packet of seeds can eventually produce food worth considerably more than the original seeds. A tomato plant can produce many tomatoes. Strawberry plants can send out runners that become additional plants. Rainwater collected responsibly can help water the garden without using treated drinking water.
These are small actions, but repeated across thousands of households they can contribute to greater resilience.
Support businesses too
Not everything should be homemade. A healthy economy needs businesses and skilled workers.
Spend with local shops. Hire tradespeople when you need them. Support independent businesses. Invest in your own enterprise. Pay people fairly for useful work.
The aim should never be to spend money simply for the sake of spending it. Live within your means, prioritise essentials and then put spare money towards things that create genuine value.
That’s putting your tuppence to work.
Your tuppence. Your community. Your future.
The butterfly represents transformation: something small becoming something greater.
Grow food. Save water. Support useful businesses. Build homes and communities. Put your tuppence to work and help grow a cleaner, greener and stronger New Yorkshire.
