How to live without money

Best known perhaps is the story of Irishman Mark Boyle – an economist disillusioned by the system who has lived without money for the last two years. Inspired by the ideals of Gandhi, he lives in a caravan beside a biological farm near Bristol, in England. Recently, he pedalled 5000 kilometres by bicycle to Oporto, to take part in an event where he talked on how it is possible to live without a bank account, steady job and other “luxuries” in life – and still be perfectly happy…

Boyle defends the return to an economy based on exchange and sharing – and believes that social and environmental problems stem from people’s disconnection from the production of the goods they use and consume.

He’s written «The Moneyless Man» - a book that describes his first year living “outside” the monetary system. It has already prompted a number of people to do exactly the same thing. Their ideas and experiences can be found online on a site called «The Freeconomy Community».

Boyle lives an absolutely frugal existence. He washes his clothes in the river, grows his own food, makes “exchange deals” with his neighbours and takes advantage of food that is still in perfectly good condition but destined to be thrown away (for example, from restaurants). His social life takes place around a bonfire, with friends and guitars. He considers himself honest, happy and free.

Another interesting story (though less well publicised) is that of resilient German lady Heidemarie Schwermer, 69. For many years she practised as a psychotherapist and teacher in Dortmund. Then one day she realised her whole life involved working to earn money to buy things – whether they were necessary, or not.

In her profession, Schwermer met an endless stream of frustrated, depressed people – exhausted by excessive workloads and a lack of free time, or because they didn’t earn enough money, or were unemployed and felt useless.

It was then that she got the idea for an “exchange club” (1996) – the first of its kind in Germany, where people could freely exchange goods and voluntary services. After having raised her two children, and inspired by the success of her ideas, she resolved to give up her old life and try something completely radical.

She let go of her apartment, gave everything she had to friends and family, and began living a new life based on a moneyless system. Think it couldn’t work? She’s managed to live by these new principles for the last 14 years. Her experiences will be related soon in a documentary entitled «Living without money», to be premiered on the Internet.

Of course, these are radical examples – but food for thought in current lean times.