 Money has changed a lot over the years. Did you know corn, just like this, used to be used as money? Today, we use this as money. Corn was used as money? That's right. When our country was young, we didn't have our own coins and paper money. So the settlers traded corn, rice, and their other property to get what they needed. When you barter, I give you something you want, like a bag of corn, and you give me something I want like a pair of shoes. But there's a problem. With bartering, you have to find someone who has what you want and wants what you have, and if you don't, say, Beth, I'll trade you this apple for that piece of cake. No, thanks, Mary. I want some cake today. Well, you're out of luck, and that was called an exchange. Thanks, Maybel. I gave her paper money, and she gave me lunch. And I didn't need to worry if she would accept apples or rice or corn. And you know what? Today, you don't even need paper money to buy something. You can write a cheque to make a purchase, or you can use a debit card to buy whatever you want. And remember, it's important to learn about money because money doesn't come with instructions. I'm Mary Rittenhouse from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.