Tar and Feather

Underground Economy

Off the Books: Underground Economy of the Urban Poor is a book by Sudhir Alladi Venkatesh basically studying the underground economy. I don't think there's an absolutely accurate estimate of the underground economy. But, according to this site, about $500 billion dollars in income fail to be reported every year. Another more used and preferred exchange method involve cell phones, microwaves, furniture, IOUs, etc. One "underground" seller in Chicago actually got these products and sold them.

http://boingboing.net/

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0674023552/downandoutint-20

-JANELLE