Did they use money in things fall apart?

Yes, money and barter were both used in things fall apart. The main currency was cowries. Major transactions were carried out in bags of cowries. For example, Akuke's bride-price was 20 bags of cowries. The fine for burning down the church was 200 bags of cowries, with an additional 50 bags of cowries as a 'processing fee' for the court messengers.