If you live in an area where walking or biking to work is feasible, you could avoid your commute and its expenses (gas, tolls, parking, car maintenance) by choosing self-powered transportation. Plus, it’s great for boosting fitness! Try going for a week without buying any groceries. Use only the foods you currently have in your pantry and fridge to make meals. Many websites are available to help you create meals from ingredients you already have on hand. [1] X Research source If you enjoy going out for entertainment, find free entertainment in your area. Your local newspaper’s website will usually have listings of free activities and events. In addition to books and free internet, public libraries often have movies you can check out for free. Going for a walk or spending the evening playing games with friends or family is always free. www. moneyless. org is an online database of useful tips and tricks for pursuing a cash-free existence.
For example, if you or a family member tend to require frequent medical care or prescription medications, living without money may not be a good option for you. If you live in an extreme climate, such as a place that is very hot or very cold, it may not be safe to live without some temperature control. This is especially true if your family includes small children or elderly persons, who are more prone to heat- and cold-related illnesses and fatalities. [2] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U. S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source
The Moneyless Man: A Year of Freeconomic Living by Mark Boyle is a first-person account of living without money. He has also written blogs, a book called The Moneyless Manifesto’," and established a low-cost living website called Streetbank. The Man Who Quit Money by Mark Sundeen is a biography of Daniel Suelo, a man who has lived without money for over 14 years. The 2012 documentary film, Living Without Money, documents the life of Heidemarie Schwermer, a German woman who has been living without cash since the 1990s.
If you live in an urban area and/or don’t own your home, your options for some of these things may be reduced. You should do some research to understand what is feasible for you.
If you decide to keep a job, you will need to continue to pay taxes.
Campervans (sometimes called caravans or recreational vehicles) may be a good option if you cannot afford a full-size family home with these amenities. It is also easier to find a site near water with a mobile home. “Earthships” are eco-friendly, inexpensive dwellings that use waste products like old car tires and beer bottles as construction materials. You can often find these materials for free or very cheaply, and you can often barter for labor help. [4] X Research source Even if you don’t choose to move house or live entirely without money, things such as solar power panels and composting toilets are friendly to both budgets and the environment.
If you choose to volunteer in a foreign country, you will have to pay for a work visa. In addition, you will need enough money to cover your travel expenses. Volunteering on an organic farm can also be an excellent way to learn farming skills, which you can then use to grow your own food.
You will probably want to contact a potential community and visit before you commit to living there. Communal living isn’t for everyone, and you’ll want to make sure your potential home and your personality and values are a good match.
You can also check out organizations such as Couchsurfing or The Hospitality Club if you are looking for temporary housing, your plans are very flexible, and you are interested in meeting new people.
Understand that this type of lifestyle is strenuous and requires excellent health and fitness. It is unlikely to be a good option if you are not in good health, or if you have children or elderly persons in your family. Move to a warmer climate. Living outside is much easier without vast fluctuations in temperatures, heavy rainfall, or frigid temperatures.
If your values and faith make this experience a good match for you, you can research your options online or by contacting someone within the community you wish to join. Religious communities usually only accept individuals. If you have a family, this is unlikely to be a good option for you.
If you have a university or college in your area, see if it has a cooperative extension. These offices provide education for the community on many things, including food cultivation and foraging, and often it is free to attend classes or get information. Remember that foods grow seasonally. Berries tend to be ready to be picked in the summer, while apples and nuts are harvestable in the autumn. Greens are often harvestable year-round. Whether you forage or grow your own crops, ensuring that you have foods to harvest year-round will help you keep a nutritionally balanced diet.
Avoid collecting any nuts or plants which show signs of being partially eaten by another animal, have been broken open in a fall from a tree, or seem partially rotten, as these are likely to contain dangerous bacterial growth. Avoid picking greens and other plants near busy roads, or industrial sites, where runoff from the cars or pollution from industry may have contaminated your food source. Instead, look for food in rural, less developed areas, away from the impact of cars, industry, and technology. Never eat anything you cannot identify. If you’re unsure whether something is hazardous, it’s best to bypass it.
Be cautious of meat, dairy, and eggs, as the risk of bacterial growth and foodborne illness is higher. Independent and family-owned stores may be more accommodating than mega chain stores, although stores such as Trader Joe’s are well-known for giving discarded food away. Make a name for yourself in your neighborhood. Most households waste thousands of dollars in uneaten food a year. Consider putting up a flyer in your local community center about yourself and your cash-free aspirations. Many people may be happy to donate slightly off fruits, vegetables, or older dried goods.
Look at what you have to trade. Do you grow vegetables that your neighbors don’t? Do you have skills that people around you need? Consider using your homegrown potatoes and handpicked berries, your fence-painting or babysitting skills, and your dog-walking experience to trade for fruits that you cannot grow or pick on your own, Remember: In a successful negotiation, both parties win. Be fair in your request. Is an hour of babysitting really worth ten pounds of fresh apples? Or is it more worth five?
Decide what is most feasible to grow in your area. The easiest way to determine which plants thrive in your region is to visit a local farm or to speak with someone who tends an extensive food garden. Differences in regional climate and soil greatly affect which vegetables and fruits thrive in which areas. Build a greenhouse! Using recycled garbage bags over a wood frame, you can grow hardy vegetables, such as potatoes, Brussel sprouts, and radishes, in colder climates, even when there is snow on the ground. Ask your neighbors if any are interested in co-opting a garden space. Sharing the labor and time necessary to grow your own food, in exchange for a larger space of land, and a greater variety of fruits and vegetables is a wonderful way to diversify your diet, decrease your workload, and build community friendships.
Look for items you want to get rid of. One’s man trash is another man’s treasure, so instead of selling your old shoes or watch on eBay, or throwing them away, try using them in exchange for items or services that you need. Remember that you can also barter for services. If your home needs repairs, see if you can exchange some time or skills of your own in exchange for the repair.
Many stores and restaurants throw away food. Anything that contains meat, dairy, shellfish, or eggs should not be scavenged. Avoid anything that smells rotten or odd. Foods such as bread, canned goods, and packaged products like chips can usually be eaten safely, but make sure they are wrapped and not dented, torn, or bulging. [8] X Research source Be aware that dumpsters may pose hazards such as broken glass, rats, and even biological waste. If you choose to rummage through a dumpster, come prepared: items such as rubber boots, gloves, and flashlights can help you dive safely. [9] X Research source Do not dumpster dive in any area that is marked as “No Trespassing” or similar. It may be illegal and is certainly not worth the hassle of being stopped or even arrested.
This is a great way to get rid of things like baby clothes that children have outgrown or toys they no longer play with. You can also swap books you’ve already read for new-to-you books, or get rid of extra linens and towels in exchange for things you need more of.
Repair holes, tears, rips, and worn spots. Keep any spare pieces of fabric from unwearable items to use as a patch when needed.
Check in your area for carpool incentives and communities. If you absolutely must keep a car, some cities offer financial incentives if you carpool with others. You may also be able to ride to work with other people who will help pay for your gas and car upkeep.
Websites such as Liftshare, Ridester, and Carpool World can also help you find carpooling and ride share options in your community. Hitchhiking can be an option if you need to travel long distances, but exercise caution! Hitchhiking can be dangerous, particularly if you travel alone. [12] X Research source
Attach a basket to the front and back of the bicycle to help carry food and other items.
Prepare emergency backup plans for walks in colder weather. A light snowstorm can quickly turn into a blizzard, and if you are walking several miles from your home, this can become an emergency situation. Consider going with a friend, or making sure someone knows where you will be and what time to expect you back.
