How does the use of money make it easier to exchange things?
The use of money makes exchange easier by eliminating the need for double coincidence of wants. In a barter system, goods are directly exchanged without money, requiring both parties to agree to sell and buy each other's commodities. For example, a shoe manufacturer wanting wheat would need to find a farmer who not only wants to sell wheat but also wants to buy shoes.
Money acts as an intermediate in the exchange process, serving as a medium of exchange. A person holding money can easily exchange it for any commodity or service they desire. The shoe manufacturer can first exchange shoes for money, and then use that money to purchase wheat. This makes transactions much simpler as one does not need to search for someone who wants exactly what they are selling while offering what they want to buy.
Explanation
This answer draws directly from the textbook explanation of how money solves the problem of double coincidence of wants in barter systems. The key concept is that money serves as an intermediate medium of exchange, allowing transactions to occur in two separate steps rather than requiring a simultaneous exchange of goods. The shoe manufacturer example from the text illustrates this clearly.