Buzz
A lifestyle independent of money may seem at odds with conventional ideas of success and happiness in many cultures; however, more people are choosing this path. Beyond reducing stress from financial worries, this way of life offers benefits like minimizing environmental impact, fostering gratitude for what we have, and leading a more meaningful existence. Even if you can't live entirely without money, the following methods will help you live more frugally.
Steps
Plan Ahead
Try cutting expenses before fully committing to a moneyless lifestyle. Understand that this is a life-altering decision, especially if you live with or support others. Starting with small steps, like avoiding spending for a week or a month, can help you determine if this lifestyle suits you. There are many ways to reduce daily expenses, and even if you can't live entirely without money, these methods will help you save.
- If you live in an area where walking or cycling is feasible, you can eliminate transportation costs (fuel, tolls, parking, maintenance) by choosing self-powered options. Plus, it's a great way to stay fit.
- For one week, try not to shop. Use only the food you already have at home. Many websites offer recipes for cooking with available ingredients.
- If you enjoy recreational activities, look for free events in your area. Local websites often list such activities. Beyond free books and internet access, community libraries may host free movie screenings. Walking or playing games with friends and family also costs nothing.
- www.moneyless.org is a website sharing tips and tricks for a moneyless lifestyle.
Consider your own and your family's needs. If you are single, maintaining this lifestyle is easier than if you have a family. Living without money is a significant commitment, and you must ensure your needs are met even without financial resources.
- For example, if you or a family member requires regular medical care or prescription medication, a moneyless lifestyle may not be suitable.
- If you live in an extreme climate, such as very hot or cold regions, having air conditioning is a practical necessity, especially if your family includes young children or elderly individuals who are more vulnerable to weather-related illnesses and other life-threatening conditions.
Read about the experiences of others. Whether you aspire to live as a nomad like German psychologist Heidemarie Schwermer or retreat from society into a cave like Daniel Suelo, learning from those who have gone before you can help you make a more informed decision before taking action.
- The book The Moneyless Man: A Year of Freeconomic Living by Mark Boyle—a pioneer in the moneyless lifestyle movement. He also writes a blog and authored The Moneyless Manifesto, promoting frugal living through the website Streetbank.
- The book The Man Who Quit Money by Mark Sundeen—a biography of Daniel Suelo, who lived without money for 14 years.
- The 2012 documentary Living Without Money, which explores the life of Heidemarie Schwermer, a German woman who has lived without money since the 1990s.
Consider necessary investments. Certain things can make a moneyless lifestyle easier, such as a vegetable garden, solar panels, a composting toilet, and a well. These require an initial investment but can significantly reduce or eliminate household bills over time, though the transition won't happen overnight.
- If you live in an urban area and don't own property, these solutions may seem impractical. Research what works best for your situation.
Understand that some expenses are unavoidable. For example, if you require medication for an illness, you must continue purchasing it and consult a doctor before stopping any prescribed treatment. If you own a home, you must continue paying the mortgage to avoid foreclosure or eviction.
- If you choose to work, you will still need to pay income taxes.
- In the U.S., all adults are required to have health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Depending on your annual income (currently set at $10,000 per year, but subject to change), you must have health insurance or face penalties.
Arrange Accommodation
Live apart from the modern world. You can find or build a home powered by solar, wind, or other renewable energy sources. Water can be sourced from a well or a nearby stream. Consider installing a composting toilet: it saves water, protects the environment, and provides ideal fertilizer for your vegetable garden.
- Living in a mobile tiny house is also a good option if you can't afford a larger home for your family with full amenities. It’s easier to find a parking spot near a water source with this model.
- Earthships are another eco-friendly housing option, affordable because they are built from recycled materials like old tires and beer bottles. You can find these materials cheaply or for free, and you can barter goods for construction labor.
- Whether you plan to settle permanently or live moneyless, items like solar panels and composting toilets are budget-friendly and environmentally conscious choices.
Volunteer at organic farms.World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms is a reputable organization coordinating volunteer opportunities worldwide. You pay a small fee to join as a volunteer. Typically, you work on farms in exchange for food and accommodation. Some farms accept families.
- If volunteering abroad, you’ll need to cover visa costs and travel expenses.
- Volunteering at organic farms is a great way to learn farming skills, enabling you to grow your own food later.
Join a like-minded community. Many communities exist that share goals and ideals of a moneyless lifestyle. They may be called “intentional communities,” “communes,” “co-ops,” “eco-villages,” or “cohousing.” You can exchange skills or food for housing and other support. Learn more about these communities online.
- Contact a potential community and visit before committing. This lifestyle isn’t for everyone, and you’ll want to ensure your values align with the community’s.
Become a housesitter. If you’re comfortable with a nomadic lifestyle, start building a profile as a responsible and trustworthy housesitter. This is an excellent job if you enjoy traveling and living freely. Join communities like Trusted House Sitters or Mind My House, or let locals know you’re available to house-sit when they’re away.
- You can also explore organizations like Couchsurfing or The Hospitality Club if you’re looking for temporary stays, flexible plans, and meeting new people.
Live in the wilderness. This approach requires time and effort to develop necessary skills, offering a life far removed from modern comforts. Caves and natural shelters can become your new home. Learn more about living in the wild.
- Understand that this lifestyle is challenging and demands excellent physical health. If you’re often ill or have young children or elderly family members, this may not be the best choice.
- Move to a warmer climate. Wilderness living is more manageable with stable temperatures, avoiding heavy rain or freezing conditions.
Consider joining a religious community. Many religions have communities dedicated to a life of material detachment, such as Buddhist monastic orders or Catholic monks and nuns. These communities provide basic necessities like clothing, shelter, and food in exchange for your devotion and commitment.
- If you are a person of faith and find alignment between your values and those of the community, you can research options online or contact members to inquire about joining.
- Religious organizations often accept only individuals. If you have a family, this may not be a suitable option for you.
Find and Grow Vegetables for Food
Learn about foraging. If you plan to gather food from the wild, find guides on local edible plants, what’s safe to eat, and what’s toxic. Richard Mabey’s Food For Free is a classic, widely available, and highly recommended book with illustrations. If you plan to grow your own food, research crop rotation, planting, and cultivation techniques.
- If there are colleges or universities nearby, look for community education programs. These institutions often offer courses on topics like gardening and foraging, sometimes for free.
- Remember that food availability is seasonal. Berries ripen in summer, while apples and nuts are harvested in fall. Greens can be gathered year-round. Whether foraging or growing, ensure a variety of plants for a balanced diet.
Forage for wild fruits. Gathering wild fruits is an eco-friendly and enjoyable way to prepare meals. Even in urban or suburban areas, neighbors may have fruit trees producing more than they can consume. Always ask for permission before picking.
- Avoid collecting nuts or plants showing signs of animal damage, decay, or rot, as harmful bacteria may be present.
- Steer clear of plants near busy roads or industrial areas, as vehicle emissions and pollutants can contaminate them. Instead, choose rural or undeveloped areas.
- Never consume unidentified plants. If unsure, it’s best to leave it alone.
Ask for surplus from stores, farmers' markets, and restaurants. Many stores and restaurants discard surplus or expired but still edible food. Politely inquire with managers about their disposal policies. You can also ask vendors at farmers' markets for leftovers they might otherwise throw away.
- Be cautious with meat, dairy, and eggs due to higher risks of contamination and foodborne illness.
- Independent and family-owned stores are often more generous than large chains, though places like Trader Joe’s are known for donating surplus.
- Inform local households. Many families waste thousands of dollars annually on discarded food. Post flyers in your area to let people know about your lifestyle. Many will gladly donate fruits or dry goods.
Barter. You can trade items or negotiate for food, a great way to haggle for better deals, diversify your diet, or exchange unused items for something more useful. Many people are willing to trade food or goods for small tasks like window cleaning or lawn mowing.
- Consider what you can trade. Do you grow vegetables your neighbors don’t? Do you have skills others need? You can trade homegrown potatoes, foraged berries, or offer to paint fences or walk dogs in exchange for food you can’t grow or forage.
- Remember: A successful deal benefits both parties. Be fair in your requests. Is an hour of babysitting worth 4.5 kilos of apples? Or should it be closer to 2 kilos?
Grow your own food. Gardening not only helps manage finances but also provides a fulfilling experience of sustaining yourself from your own land and labor. Even in urban or suburban areas, you can grow fruits and vegetables. While you may not fully rely on homegrown produce, it’s healthier and cheaper than store-bought options.
- Identify what to grow. The easiest way is to visit local farms or talk to experienced gardeners. Different climates and soil types affect what you can grow.
- Build a greenhouse. Using plastic bags stretched over wooden frames, you can grow hardy crops like potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and beets even in cold climates or snow-covered soil.
- Invite neighbors to join a community garden. Sharing the workload increases planting space, diversifies crops, reduces labor, and builds relationships.
Set up a compost bin in your garden. Spoiled food can become nutrient-rich compost, perfect for future fruit trees, vegetables, and grains.
Other Needs
Learn to barter goods. Many online communities, like Freegle, Freecycle, and Streetbank, list items for free or skills for hire. Sometimes, people give away unused items, or you can find those willing to pay you in goods for your services.
- Inventory items you no longer need. One person’s trash is another’s treasure. Instead of selling old shoes or watches on eBay or throwing them away, use them to trade for necessary services.
- Remember, you can also trade goods for services. If you need home repairs, see if you can exchange your time and skills for someone else’s handiwork.
Make your own bathroom products. You can grow soapwort in your garden to create soap and shampoo. A paste made from baking soda or salt can also serve as a natural and healthy toothpaste.
Dumpster diving. Many discarded items can still be useful for a moneyless lifestyle. Old newspapers can be repurposed as toilet paper. Stores often discard products like deodorants and body cleansers that are still usable but past their sell-by date.
- Many stores and restaurants throw away leftover food. However, avoid picking up meat, dairy, eggs, or shellfish. Steer clear of anything that smells rotten or unusual. Items like bread, canned goods, or packaged snacks can be taken if their packaging is intact, undamaged, and not bulging.
- Be cautious, as dumpsters may contain hazards like broken glass, rodents, or even biohazardous waste. If you choose to dumpster dive, wear rubber boots, gloves, and carry a flashlight for safety.
- Do not dive in areas marked “No Trespassing” or similar. Entering such places is illegal and not worth the risk of fines or arrest.
Organize a swap meet. If you have quality items you no longer need, host a swap event with friends or neighbors. Invite them to bring items they no longer use. Advertise the event using flyers, Craigslist, Facebook, or other social media platforms.
- This is a great way to offload unused items like outgrown children’s clothes or old toys. You can trade read books for unread ones or exchange towels and linens for items you need more.
Sew your own clothes. Trade for a sewing machine, some fabric, and a few sewing lessons. You can repurpose usable fabric scraps, towels, or bedsheets for sewing. Craft stores or tailors may also have leftover fabric they’re willing to give away.
- Patch holes, tears, or worn areas. Save fabric scraps from old clothes to mend other damaged items.
Exchange skills. Bartering isn’t limited to goods and services. You can create a community where people teach each other what they know and learn new skills. This is also a great way to socialize and make friends without spending money.
About Transportation
Sell or trade your car. Owning a car is impractical without money, unless a mechanic agrees to barter with you or a gas station offers fuel in exchange for work.
- Look into carpooling options in your area. If you must keep your car, some cities offer financial incentives for carpooling. You can commute with others who cover fuel and maintenance costs.
Hitch rides with community members. Many people drive daily for work, school, or other errands. You can exchange food or services for a ride.
- Websites like Liftshare, Ridester, and Carpool World can help you find carpooling or ride-sharing opportunities nearby.
- Hitchhiking is an option for long distances, but be cautious! It can be risky, especially if you're alone.
Buy a bicycle. If you need to travel longer distances or walking isn’t feasible, cycling is a fast and eco-friendly option. It also helps you stay fit!
- Attach baskets to the front and back of your bike to carry food and other essentials.
Stay healthy. Walking is the easiest, most accessible, and cost-free way to get around. A healthy, well-hydrated body can walk up to 32 km a day without exhaustion, but you’ll need good shoes, water, and food for long distances.
- Have a backup plan for cold weather. A light snowstorm can quickly turn severe, and if you’re far from home, this could become an emergency. Walk with a friend or ensure someone knows your location and expected return time.
Tips
- Start slowly. Transitioning from a life of monthly rent payments, shopping for clothes, driving, and working 8-hour days to a moneyless lifestyle isn’t something that happens overnight. Begin by focusing on emotional fulfillment and choosing free activities, like spending time outdoors with friends instead of dining out or taking walks instead of shopping.
- Move to a warmer climate. Activities like farming, gardening, outdoor living, and residing in a simple, self-built shelter are easier in temperate weather.
- Live with like-minded people. A moneyless lifestyle is more manageable in a community setting, where tasks can be shared, skills combined, and challenges overcome together. Whether joining an existing group or gathering friends with similar interests, living without spending money can be a fulfilling and practical experience.
Warnings
- Regularly check your nutritional intake to ensure a balanced diet and good health.
- If caring for children or the elderly, remember they are more vulnerable to foodborne illnesses, extreme weather, and exhaustion. Avoid putting them in unsafe situations.
- Be cautious. Hitchhiking, living in the wild, and long-distance walking alone carry risks. Educate yourself on the best ways to stay safe.
