<br/>The money part:<br/><br/>I don't want to commit copywrite infractions by simply copying from the rulebook verbatum and reposting here, and as I look back over it, I find I wrote a lot more than I intended.  I also threw some of my own speculation in there, but here's the basics of the way the money works.<br/><br/>Money exists in the form of<em>Alliance Credits </em>(paper money or electronic transactions) and<em>coin</em>(platinum, gold, silver).<br/><br/>In the<em><strong>core worlds</strong> </em>are the big central banks.  Banks function in much the same was as today.  People keep their money there, and the money is invested into the economy, thereby making more money.  Financial transactions are made electronically (credit cards) or via paper money.  The paper money is printed using technology that makes counterfeiting (almost) impossible.  Also, the little metallic strips in the paper are used for tracking purposes.  Big brother following everyone?  Or just useful data for economists and marketing people?  Depends on who you ask.  Can the government possibly know who's in possession of every bill?  Probably not.  Use of metal coins is illegal, and possession is frowned upon.  A person with a pocketfull of coin can exchange it for paper money at practically any large bank.<br/><br/>The<em><strong>border planets</strong> </em>have their own banks, AND branches of banks headquartered on the Core planets.  Of course they all fall under the same Alliance banking regulations since the end of the war.  One is as good as another, maybe?  Your money is safer in a Core bank, but a lot of people use the local banks for political reasons.  Officially, the same rules apply regarding use of coin for business transactions.  However, it happens a lot more frequently here.  It's just best not to advertise the prices in platinum, gold, or silver on the menu.  And if you spend or accept coin openly in front of a government official, you're forcing his hand.  It's one of those things that everyone knows what's happening, but it's usually not worth pursuing.  All that having been said, there might be the occasional sting operation just so everyone knows the government will only tolerate so much lawlessness.<br/><br/>The<em><strong>rim planets</strong> </em>have banks, too.  After all they're not completely uncivilized.  The nature of the bank depends on the world.  Many might be completely independent entities who may or may not comply with some or all the Alliance banking laws.  The ones that don't aren't the ones you want to deal with if you need money sent from one world to another.  Others are fully compliant, believing there is more money to be made as their planet becomes more civilized.  Most of these banks will allign themselves with one of the legitimate banks on one of the border planets.  The Core banks have no interest in the small fish on the rim, though occasionally one might chose to associate itself with a border planet bank which is in partnership with a rim world bank if that rim planet shows promise.  On some rim planets, the paper is eagerly accepted.  On others, it's more hassle than it's worth.  Either way, the Feds don't usually bother with it out there.  However, since it is technically illegal, it's always a handy reason to arrest somebody who needs to go to jail. Same goes for electronic transactions.  It will probably occur between all banks on the same planet, but don't expect prompt service if you need money wired (or would wirelessed be a better word?) from Sihnon to Salisbury.  Expect a wait. And some additional fees.<br/><br/>If you're on a rim world and need to access your money in a core bank, it might go something like this.  The request would go from the local bank to the planet's central bank.  From there to a border planet bank they have established a relationship with.  From there to a border bank with a branch office of a core bank.  (Because it isn't likely a bank will be doing business with both the core and the rim.)  From there to the main office on the core.  From there to the bank where your money is.  And then reverse all that for the return trip.  When the "money" makes it to you in electronic form, it will be in Alliance credits.  If it isn't a lot of money, they might have the paper on hand.  Otherwise, it will be given to you in coin, at something close to the official exchange rate, minus a small surcharge.  And of course everyone along the way charged a small fee for their service, too.<br/><br/>There is an "official" exchange rate between paper money and coin.  The problem is that not everyone follows this.  After all, what good is paper money on the rim if it has to be transported to another planet to be exchanged for coin?  So if you want to use paper, it'll cost more.  On the other hand, too much coin on hand can be a hassle for someone on a border planet.<br/><br/>(Could there also be money to be made by buying it one place then transporting it to another to exchange for more money? Probably only to someone who can afford the money in the first place, and that ain't us.  Still, might not hurt to do the math.)<br/><br/>One more note.  In getting an understanding of what things are worth, the below listed exchange rates also include the US dollar and the Euro (in very round numbers.)  Don't take this too literally of course.  Imagine the differences in costs and standards of living on our own planet, then imagine how different it would be among dozens of planets.  The exchange rates are provided as a very general guideline.  Now we know ten credits won't buy you much of a car, but you can probably get yourself and your date a tasty meal for less.<br/><br/>Credit     Dollar    Euro      Platinum         Gold      Silver<br/>c1           $25        20            2.5              5          250<br/><br/>A couple of additinal notes:  Hard coin is preferred by black marketers and even some legitimate business people engaged in questionable transactions, regardless of where they are, since it is untraceable.<br/><br/>Also, remember that barter is a commonly used means of payment in most places.<br/><br/>From the book:<br/><br/>POTENTIAL<br/>REGULAR<br/>EXPENSES<br/>• The ship requires fuel (a primary cost). Fuel cells to power a Firefly for 30 days run ₡ 600.<br/>• The crew requires provisions. A crew of five requires about ₡ 120 worth, if they eat mostly packaged protein and canned goods.<br/>• Monthly payments (on a ship that is not wholly owned). A standard finance payment on a Firefly in good  condition could run about ₡ 750.<br/>• Supplies (ammunition, medical supplies, etc.). An average cost would be ₡ 200.<br/>• Ship parts, upgrades to improve. These vary according to need and desire (see Chapter Four: Boats and Mules).<br/>• Business expenses. This can fluctuate wildly, depending on the job.<br/>• Salaries of crew (anyone who is not in for a “cut” of the profits). Monthly salary for skilled crew members can run about ₡ 200 each.<br/><br/>Table 3-4: Cargo & Passenger Rates<br/>Cargo / Passage       Legal Cargo         Illegal Cargo        Legal Passenger        Illegal Passenger<br/>3 Day, Standard        ₡175 - 250             ₡ 200 - 275             ₡ 50 - 85                   ₡ 75 - 115<br/>3 Day, Complicated   ₡ 225 - 330           ₡ 300 - 425             ₡ 60 - 100                 ₡ 90 - 140<br/>10 Day, Standard     ₡ 575 - 850            ₡ 675 - 975             ₡ 170 - 255               ₡ 195 - 285<br/>10 Day, Complicated ₡c- 750 - 1,000    ₡ 1,000 - 1,250        ₡ 215 - 300               ₡ 245 - 350<br/><br/>======================<br/><br/><br/><br/><br/>Journey Travel time<br/><br/>Between moons of the same planet using reaction drive only 1-600 hour<br/><br/>Between moons of the same planet 1-20 hours<br/><br/>Between planets in the same system 20-1,500 hours<br/><br/>Between planets in adjacent systems 500-2,500 hours<br/><br/>One side of the ‘Verse to the other 3,000-6,000 hours