I have mentioned it before, but I have been using the Kiva website for a couple of years now to lend money to operator's of corner stores offering beer in less fortunate nations. I know it is a bit of an odd idea but it is one I like and works for me.

Fascinated I was, then, to get a link from Beau's All Natural Brewing Co.'s new Kiva Team. I added my account to the team so that when my loans come up and I recycle beer loans to shops in Congo or Peru from the proceeds of paid off loans to beer shops in Tanzania or Tajikistan, well, they will now be added to the power of Team Beau's.

Join us. Your capital is fairly secure. Of the $150 I have put into the system, I have lost $21.92 backing a dream in the Dominican Republic while getting paid in full by the other 13 or so clients so far. You get nothing but you share a lot.