Thread: The Economy

This term is thrown around enough that everything that anyone does could possibly be considered part of 'The Economy'.

Definitions of that vagueness do not sit well with me.
I want a good definition by people of the notion of 'Economy'. I want more than the general monetary transactions of people, because that means absolutely nothing to me. So does this mean that when I drink beer that I am drinking the 'Economy'? How about when lots and lots of people come together and drink beer - is that still applicable under the same term 'Economy'? How about religion; by believing in a certain God with your style of living, and tailoring your actions to fit that God, does that make part of the economy?

If it means everything then it means nothing.

Economics is the study of the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services.

which differs from what?
What would legitimately not be considered part of economics?

beyond that, its obviously more than that, because I produce fairly nothing ( I am not a farmer), and do not distribute much (I am not a trucker), and mostly I consume. Therefore, you cannot understand economics by understanding my production, distribution, and consumption levels.