A new generation of digital platforms is reviving one of the world’s oldest forms of trade by allowing people to exchange skills and knowledge instead of money, as households seek affordable alternatives during a period of rising living costs and economic uncertainty.
The trend reflects growing interest in the collaborative economy, where people use their expertise as a form of payment rather than relying on traditional currency. Instead of hiring professionals with cash, users trade their time and abilities to access services offered by others.
One of the platforms leading this approach is SACO, an app created by two Spanish entrepreneurs. Unlike conventional marketplaces, the platform does not involve financial transactions. Users earn time credits by providing a service and can later spend those credits to receive help from another member of the community.
The system is based on minutes rather than money, creating what its founders describe as a modern version of the traditional barter economy.
“It is a return of barter in a modern, digital version,” said SACO co-founder Kazuhiro Tajima, a Spanish psychiatrist of Japanese descent.
The app connects users with a wide range of skills and services. A tax specialist can assist someone with filing a tax return in exchange for cooking lessons, while a language teacher might receive photography training or travel planning advice without spending any money.
Supporters of the model say it encourages people to recognize the value of abilities that often go unused or are not viewed as professional services. Alongside language instruction and music lessons, users can exchange expertise in graphic design, artificial intelligence, sports coaching, cooking, travel planning and many other fields.
Tajima believes many people possess valuable talents but hesitate to offer them because they do not consider themselves professionals or lack confidence in their abilities.
“Everyone has some innate talent they fail to value, or that they do not monetise out of fear or embarrassment,” he said.
Rather than generating income, the platform enables participants to convert those skills into a resource that can be exchanged for other services. Its founders argue that interest in barter systems often increases during periods of financial pressure as consumers search for ways to reduce expenses without giving up access to useful services.
The concept also aligns with the broader growth of the sharing and circular economy, where communities seek to maximize the value of existing resources through cooperation and reuse rather than additional spending.
Beyond the financial benefits, developers say the platforms respond to another growing concern: maintaining meaningful human interaction in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. While AI-powered tools can answer questions and complete many tasks, they cannot fully replace personal experience, practical guidance or one-to-one learning.
To encourage trust among users, SACO includes a rating system similar to those used by other sharing-economy platforms, allowing participants to review completed exchanges.
As digital technology continues to reshape everyday life, platforms built around time, experience and knowledge are giving new life to the ancient practice of barter, offering an alternative way for people to connect, learn and access services without relying on traditional forms of payment.
