How did the colonists pay for things if they didn't have paper or money?

Answer 1

Possibly items were given in trade, like animals, hides, food, etc.

Answer 2

Colonists in early America used various forms of payment for goods and services. One common form was barter, where they exchanged goods or services directly without the need for money. Other forms included using foreign currencies, such as Spanish silver or British pounds, and utilizing commodity-based systems, such as the use of tobacco or animal skins as mediums of exchange. In some cases, they relied on credit, where individuals would promise to pay at a later date or through traditional lending systems.