This article includes the discussion about the alternative (to national currency) means of payment (AMP) used in the regional and municipal economy. There the review of settlement tools that are being used in Russia nowadays have been made. The modern economy contains alternative local currency cash flows also revealed. The definitions of «money» and «alternative means of payment», have been analyzed, as well as various classification of the functions of money. The functional features of modern AMP used in Russia are also overviewed in article. AMP - a kind of money, which always occur in the closed circuits of exchange. In conclusion, we may say that certain combinations of the functions of money while using settlement tools, contribute to the achievement of various objectives: social, marketing, economic. The use of AMP in the municipal economy may lead to a significant economic effect, both in business and in the municipality as a whole and municipality economic growth.