Living without money is in stark contrast to the typical conception of success and happiness that characterizes today's society. In any case, it is a choice that interests more and more people. In addition to reducing the stress caused by economic worries, living without money offers many benefits, such as reducing the environmental impact, learning to better understand and appreciate what you have, leading a more meaningful lifestyle … even if in the end you decide not to follow the techniques illustrated in this article to the letter, the following tips will help you reduce waste in your daily life.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Making a Plan
Step 1. Before making a commitment to live without money, try to cut back on your expenses
The decision to live without money has the power to radically change one's life, especially for those who live with other people and / or have someone in charge. You should start small and not spend money for a week or a month to see if this lifestyle is right for you. There are several ways to cut your daily expenses. Even if you eventually decide that living without money is not for you, these techniques will help you save.
- If you live in an area where it is possible to move around on foot or by bicycle, you could avoid using the car and paying the relative expenses (petrol, tolls, parking, maintenance) by choosing more "ecological" means of transport, which others also allow you to do some movement.
- Try not to shop for a week. For cooking, use only the food you have in your pantry or refrigerator. There are many websites that help prepare dishes with ingredients that you already have available.
- If you like going out in your free time, look for free initiatives. Free events and activities are usually advertised on your city website or in the local newspaper. In addition to allowing you to borrow books and use the internet, public libraries often allow you to rent movies at no cost. Going for a walk or playing with friends and family is always free.
- On the internet you can find many sites that offer tips and tricks for living without money.
Step 2. Consider your needs (and those of your family)
If you are single, living without money will be much easier than living with a dependent family. It is indeed a big commitment, so you need to make sure that your core needs can still be met without money.
- For example, if you or a family member need frequent doctor visits or prescription medications, living without money is not the best option.
- If you live in a place with extreme weather conditions, for example it is very hot or cold, living without having the ability to control the temperature is not safe. This need is particularly important with a family that includes children or the elderly, who are more prone to illnesses and serious risks associated with heat or cold.
Step 3. Read other experiences
There are people who have adopted a nomadic lifestyle, such as the German Heidemarie Schwermer, and others who follow a completely alternative lifestyle to the traditional one: an example is Daniel Suelo, who lives in a cave. Reading other people's stories will help you decide if you're actually ready to take on such a challenge.
- Mark Boyle's Man With No Money tells this experience firsthand. The author has also written blogs, a book called The Moneyless Manifesto (an Italian translation is not available) and an established website dedicated to low-cost living called Streetbank.
- The Man Who Ditched Money by Mark Sundeen is a biography of Daniel Suelo, a man who lived without money for over 14 years.
- A 2012 documentary entitled Living Without Money talks about the life of Heidemarie Schwermer, a German woman who has led this lifestyle since the 1990s.
Step 4. Consider what you need to invest in
Some factors that facilitate this lifestyle, such as gardens, solar panels, compost toilets and wells, require an initial investment. The financial benefits of reducing or even eliminating almost all the usual daily expenses are significant, but you can't get them overnight.
If you live in a city and / or don't have your own house, the chances are slimmer. You should do some research to figure out what best suits your needs
Step 5. Remember that some expenses will always be necessary
For example, if you need a certain medicine, you shouldn't stop taking it out of the blue; consult a doctor first. If you can't or don't want to sell your home, you need to keep paying your mortgage to avoid foreclosures and evictions.
- If you decide to keep a job, you have to continue paying taxes.
- Consider all the expenses you would be responsible for even if you decide to change your life, otherwise you risk having problems with the law.
Part 2 of 5: Housing Solutions
Step 1. Live in an alternative way
Find or build a house that works with renewable energy, such as solar or wind. Use water from a nearby well or stream. Install a compost toilet: it will save water, help the environment and produce "fertilizer" for a vegetable garden.
- If you can't afford a full-fledged home with all these amenities, consider an RV. With a mobile home, it will also be easier to find a place near the water.
- Earthships are eco-friendly, affordable homes built from waste materials such as old tires and beer bottles. Often these materials are available for free or at a low cost and it is generally possible to exchange labor for others.
- If you decide not to move or find that living without money is not for you, elements such as solar panels and compost toilets are ideal for both budget and environmental reasons.
Step 2. Volunteer on an organic farm
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms is a well known and respected organization that offers volunteer opportunities around the world. You have to pay a small membership fee for the service, and it usually allows you to get room and board while working in a facility. Some farms accept entire families.
- If you decide to volunteer in non-EU countries, first find out what you need to get a residence permit. Also, you will need some money to pay for the trip.
- Volunteering on an organic farm is also great for gaining skills that might come in handy when farming.
Step 3. Move to a like-minded community to yours
There are many cooperative communities that share housing, goals and ideals. They are also called intentional communities, municipalities, co-ops, ecovillages and collaborative housing. If you provide your skills or food, you will be able to get accommodation and be supported. You will find more information about these communities online.
Before living in such a place, you should contact the community and visit it. This lifestyle isn't for everyone, so you need to make sure your new possible home fits your personality and values
Step 4. Become a house sitter
If you have no problem getting from one place to another, then earning a reputation as a responsible and reliable house sitter is ideal for traveling and living comfortably. Join an online organization, such as Trusted House Sitters or Mind My House. You can also make yourself known in your area: others will know that they can contact you when they have to leave their home to go on vacation.
If you are looking for a temporary home, your plans are very flexible or you are interested in meeting new people, you can also consider organizations like Couchsurfing or The Hospitality Club
Step 5. Live in contact with nature
Some effort is needed to develop the necessary skills, but in addition to the usual houses there are many other places to live, such as caves and natural shelters. To find out more, read this article.
- Remember that this lifestyle is exhausting and requires good health and fine motor skills. If you are not as healthy as a fish, have children or elderly dependents, this is not the best solution.
- Move to a warm place. Living outdoors is easier in a place that is not characterized by large changes in temperature, heavy rains or harsh winters.
Step 6. Consider joining a religious community
Many religions have communities that renounce material possessions, such as Buddhist sanghas or Christian monasteries and convents. These groups will usually offer you basic necessities, such as clothing, shelter, and food, in exchange for your service and effort.
- If in light of your values and faith this seems to be the right experience for you, you can do some research online or contact the community you wish to join.
- Religious communities usually only accept single people. If you have a family, this option is unlikely to be for you.
Part 3 of 5: Finding and Growing Food
Step 1. Learn about the foods you could grow and search for
If you want to go foraging for food, buy a good manual on the plants growing in your area to understand which ones are edible and which ones are poisonous. Richard Mabey's book entitled Free Food. A Practical, Illustrated Guide to Over 100 Gifts of Nature is a widely available manual that has received good reviews. If you want to cultivate, you need to know the most effective methods of dividing land, planting seeds and caring for the crop.
- Find out if your region offers a technical assistance and agricultural extension service. This project deals with the dissemination of knowledge in agriculture, how to cultivate, search for food in nature and so on. This is generally a free service.
- Remember that foods grow seasonally. The berries are usually harvested in the summer, while the apples and dried fruit in the fall. Vegetables are often available all year round. Whether you're out hunting for food or owning a garden, making sure you have a good variety of crops all year round will help you maintain a nutritionally balanced diet.
Step 2. Go for food in nature
Collecting wild foods that grow in your area is a fun and ecological pastime, plus you can prepare healthy dishes. Even if you live in a residential area, your neighbors may have trees that produce more fruit than they can use. Before collecting it, however, always ask for permission.
- Avoid picking fruit or other foods that appear to have been partially eaten by an animal, split after falling from the tree, or look bad - they probably contain dangerous bacteria.
- Avoid picking fruit and vegetables near busy roads or industrial areas - pollution from cars or factories has probably contaminated the ground. Instead, look for food in less developed rural areas, away from the impact of cars, industries and technology.
- Never eat something you cannot identify. If you are unsure about a food, it is best to avoid it.
Step 3. Ask for leftovers in shops, farmer's markets and restaurants
Many supermarkets and restaurants throw away unwanted or excess food, as well as expired food that is still edible. Ask a manager to explain the store or venue's policy regarding these products to you. You can also ask the farmers at the farmers' markets if they have discarded any fruit and vegetables that they might give you.
- Pay attention to meat, dairy products and eggs: the risk from a bacterial point of view is higher and you risk food-borne diseases.
- Independent or family-run stores may be more understanding than large chains, but nothing stops you from asking in as many stores as you want.
- Try to make yourself known in the area. Many families waste thousands of euros a year throwing away the foods they don't eat. You could post flyers to introduce yourself and briefly illustrate your goals. Many are happy to donate less fresh fruit, vegetables, or canned goods.
Step 4. Try bartering for food
Bartering or bargaining is useful to raise the price, it allows you to follow a varied diet and to obtain useful products in exchange for things you no longer need. Someone may be willing to offer you food or other goods in exchange for a variety of jobs, such as washing windows or mowing the grass.
- Consider what you can trade. Do you grow vegetables that your neighbors don't have? Do you have skills that might be useful to someone? For example, you might trade the potatoes you grow, the berries you harvest, your dyeing or babysitting skills, and your experience as a dog sitter for fruit you cannot grow or harvest on your own.
- Remember one thing: for a negotiation to be effective, both parties must obtain a benefit. Make an honest request. Is an hour of babysitting really worth five kilos of fresh apples? Or is it worth two?
Step 5. Grow your own food
The art of farming is advantageous from an economic point of view, it is also gratifying to live thanks to the gifts of nature and to one's work. It is possible to engage in this activity even in an urban or residential environment. You will likely not live solely on the food you grow yourself, but these foods will be healthier and cheaper than those found in stores.
- Determine what is best for you to grow in your area. The easiest way to figure out which plants grow in your region is to go to a farm or talk to someone who has a large garden. Differences in climate and soil greatly affect the fruits and vegetables you can grow.
- Build a greenhouse. Using recycled garbage bags and a wooden frame you can grow hardy plants like potatoes, Brussels sprouts and radishes. It is best if you live in a cold place, so that you can grow even when it has snowed.
- Ask your neighbors if they are interested in cooperatively managing a garden. If you share the work and time it takes to grow something in exchange for more land and a greater variety of agricultural products, you can diversify your diet. You will also decrease your workload and make friends.
Step 6. Prepare compost for your garden
Food that is no longer edible is perfect for fertilizing the soil, therefore growing fruit, vegetables and grains.
Part 4 of 5: Meeting Other Needs
Step 1. Learn to trade
Many websites, such as Freecycle, offer listings for items and skills that are available for free. Someone simply gives away things they no longer need, but it is also possible to find people willing to trade items for a service.
- Look for the items you want to get rid of. One person's junk can be a treasure trove for another, so instead of selling your old shoes or watch on eBay, or throwing it away, try exchanging it for items or services you need.
- Remember that you can also barter for services: if you have to do some work on the house, try to offer your time or your skills in exchange for the repair you need.
Step 2. Prepare personal hygiene products at home
You can plant soapwort in the garden to get soaps and shampoos. To get natural toothpaste, you can use baking soda or plain salt.
Step 3. Rummage in the trash.
Many throw away things that can be useful for those who live without money. Newspapers can be used as toilet paper. Stores may throw away personal care products (such as deodorants or toothpastes) that are still safe despite being past their expiration date.
- Many shops and restaurants throw food away. You should avoid anything that contains meat, milk and dairy products, fish or eggs. The same goes for foods that give off a rotten or odd smell. Foods such as bread, canned and packaged foods (such as potato chips) are usually safe, but should be sealed tightly, without dents, breaks or bumps.
- Remember that garbage can present hazards such as broken glass, rats, and organic waste. If you decide to rummage, be prepared - items like rubber boots, gloves, and flashlights can help you do it safely.
- Do not rummage in an area that has a trespassing prohibition. It is illegal and you definitely don't want to be stopped by the police or even arrested.
Step 4. Arrange an exchange of goods
If you have products in good condition that you no longer use, invite friends and neighbors to bring goods they want to get rid of for one reason or another. You can advertise this meeting by posting flyers around, or on Facebook and other social networks.
An exchange is ideal for throwing clothes that are large for your children or toys that they no longer use. You can swap books you've already read to get new ones, but you can also get rid of extra bedding and towels to get products you need most
Step 5. Sew your clothes
Try the barter method for the purpose of obtaining a sewing kit and fabric. Then, offer goods in exchange for sewing lessons. You can look for unused or still in good condition fabrics, towels, and sheets - you'll need them to make your clothes. Fabric shops and haberdashery may have leftover fabrics and maybe they'll give them to you without any problems.
Repair holes, tears and worn spots. Cut out pieces of fabric from clothes that you can't wear, so you can use them as patches when needed
Step 6. Organize a skill exchange
Not only products and services are traded! Create a group within which members can teach each other skills. It's also a great way to socialize and make friends without breaking the bank.
Part 5 of 5: Getting organized with the commutes
Step 1. Sell or trade your machine
Owning a car is virtually impossible without money, unless you know a mechanic willing to accept the barter method and a gas station that allows you to work for fuel.
If you really have to keep a car, find out if your region offers incentives to those who use the carpooling method and look for a site that suits your needs. You may be able to go to work with other people, who will help you finance the fuel and maintenance of the car
Step 2. Try to get a ride
Many people use the car every day to go to work, school and other places. Offer goods and services in exchange for a ride.
- Even websites like BlaBlaCar can help you find a ride by sharing your car with other people.
- If you have to go on a long journey, you can consider hitchhiking, but with caution - it can be very dangerous, especially if you are traveling alone.
Step 3. Get a bicycle
If you will regularly travel large distances and cannot walk, cycling is a fast and environmentally friendly way to travel. It will also help you keep fit!
Put a basket on the front and back of the bike to carry food and other items
Step 4. Stay healthy
Walking is the easiest, most accessible and cheapest way to get around. A healthy and hydrated body can walk at least 30 kilometers a day without fatigue, but you will need adequate shoes, water and food to do so.
Make a contingency plan for walking in the winter. A light snowstorm can quickly turn into a blizzard, so if you have to travel several miles from home, it can become a problem. Try having a friend accompany you or make sure someone knows where you are going and what time you should be back
Advice
- Start gradually. A person who pays rent, buys clothes, owns a car and works from 9 to 17 is unlikely to be able to transition to an absolutely money-free life in the short term. To start, focus your emotional gratification and enjoyment on activities that don't require money, such as being outdoors with friends instead of dining in a restaurant, walking instead of shopping, and so on.
- Live with like-minded people. Leading this lifestyle is much easier in a group: it is possible to share work, combine skills and tackle obstacles in a cooperative way. Whether you move to an eco-village or develop a group of friends who have similar interests and ambitions, being able to share your experiences will be emotionally fulfilling and practical.
- Move to a warmer place. Growing, being outdoors, and living in simple artisanal shelters are easier in places that have a mild climate all year round.
Warnings
- Evaluate your nutrition regularly to make sure you are eating a balanced diet and staying fit.
- If you live with children or the elderly, remember that these people are more vulnerable to food-borne illnesses, extreme temperatures, and exhaustion caused by physical exertion. Don't put them in dangerous situations.
- Watch out. Hitchhiking, living in contact with nature and taking long walks alone are all potentially risky activities. Try to protect your safety in the best possible way.
