Freeconomy Blog
Sat
20 Jun
A week in the moneyless life
People often suggest to me that this blog should be a daily account of my year without money; for example, that I got up, picked some tea, had a crap in the ground and all that.
And I can definitely understand why some people may want to read that, my life is obviously quite different to most at the moment.
Instead I seem to write more about the philosophy behind why I do what I do, than I do about how I do it. The latter I usually do something on about once a month, though I maybe even slightly deluded over that.
The reason I write more about the 'why' than the 'how' is because I believe that the only way anyone else will actually join me in the no-money world (not that I am holding my breathe) is if they see the absolute need to do so. I am not a masochist, or a sadist for that matter. I have not changed my entire life on a whim. I did so because I learnt the ecological, social and cultural imperatives for doing so. It is the only thing that keeps me going when the shiny bright lights of the money world that surround me attempt to lure me back in, with their tempting conveniences and pleasures.
There are other reasons for not blogging a daily account of my life though:
a) It would be boring for you – whilst my life is certainly radically different than most peoples, it also has its routines and habits, albeit different ones. Life isn't completely different every single day, though it is very different.
b) It would be boring for me – its bad enough having to live it once, let alone re-live it!
c) Time – this is my most precious commodity at the minute – everything takes longer, and as you'll see a bit further on here, I don't have time for daily blogs.
d) Energy – solar only goes so far; well, my one anyway.
Having said all that, I am more than happy to give an insight into how I spend my days. I could write a 'Day in the life' type blog, the only problem being that there is no typical day, or even close. I go for the economies of scale like the next person. I don't spend 5 mins chopping wood, 10 minutes growing food, 15 minutes foraging, 10 minutes washing each day. I'll do big lots in one go; one day will be growing food etc, one day hunting down skipped things in the city etc.
So instead I feel it is best that I give you a breakdown of how my 168 hour week is filled, and how much time I roughly spend doing what. Here's my best estimate, all averages as it obviously varies from week to week -
1. Sleeping (38.5 hours) - What a waste!
2. Digging my shit hole (20 mins) – I make it sound appealing, don't I. It is usually about 3ft deep and the radius of a big plate.
3. Picking, preparing and cooking food on the rocket stove (7 hours) – thats 7hrs of actual work, the rocket stove doesn't fuel itself!
4. Cycling (6 hours) – based on doing two 57km round trips to Bristol, each 28.5km taking about 1hr 15 mins, with some time for packing panniers etc. Below is a picture of my unpuncturable tyres and the trailer which I use to pick up waste stuff that really shouldn't be waste.
5. Administrating the Freeconomy website (7 hours) – a labour of love, of course. I particularly love reminding people of their usernames and passwords they've forgotten.
6. Organising the relentless weekly Freeskilling evenings for our local Freeconomy group (2.5 hours). Below is an evening where about 60 local freeconomists came out to learn how to make local wine, cider and beer - we even gave out loads of free samples. The teachers are local freeconomists who give their skills and time for free, and a local cafe give us the venue for free!
7. Eating (8 hours) – getting on top of emails at the same time. Digestively unwise I promise you.
8. Writing this blog (4 hours) – its the editing to make it concise, plus structuring my thoughts, that take the bulk of it. The writing takes about 20 minutes!
9. Writing the book of my year without money (14 hours) - at the proposal stage - anyone know a good publisher?
10. Washing myself (45 mins) - I have a solar shower but I am just going for swims in the river at the moment. So maybe I am calling this washing just to make myself feel good.
11. Developing the website (2 hours). In the last month this was about 25 hrs a week, used with time I saved from taking a break from writing the book (point 9) in that period.
12. Responding to emails (6 hours) – on top of the 8hrs I spend whilst eating!
13. Foraging (2 hours) – this will change depending on the season.
14. Working for a place for my caravan (27 hours) – though I don't see this as an exchange as I'd do it anyway. We grow food communally during this time, of which I take whatever I need that is available, which is more this time of year.
15. Looking for waste stuff (2 hours)
16. Gathering and chopping wood (1 hours).
17. Washing clothes (1.5 hours) - hand wash using cold water, hand wrung.
18. Making soap (10 mins) for the above clothes
19. Working for food (9 hours). I plan on converting much more of this into 'time with friends' now that it is summer and more of my own food is coming up.
20. Spending time with loved ones and friends (9 hours) – doing things that don't involve money or making the planet inhabitable i.e. campfires and acoustic music, cycles, walks, free events etc.
21. Interviews / Talks etc (3 hours) – some weeks lots more, some weeks none. This requires some preparation time too. Below I am showing Irish TV presenter Baz Ashmawy how a compost loo works. That took time I can tell you.
22. Meetings (3 hours)
23. Other writing (1 hours)
24. Reading (3 hours)
25. Researching (2 hours)
26. Contemplating (2 hours)
27. Writing for Resurgence and Ethical Consumer magazines (1.5 hours) – spread out over the two month periods.
28. Working out (3 hrs) - OK, so I don't have a gym subscription at the local health club, but who needs it when you have this really useful modern contraption:
29. All other stuff (4 hours) - depends on what is needed!
See, I told you it was boring – you are now never going to bother me again about it! If anyone wants I could break those down so it gives a better idea of how I actually survive and thrive, but as you can imagine that is much too much for one blog.
It is relentless but I love it. My work is my play. What do you spend your time doing and if you could, what would you love to spend your time doing? And what do you think is stopping you from doing it if you can't?
THE FREECONOMY BLOG is written by Mark Boyle, founder of the Freeconomy Community.
Comment on this Post:
comments ...
Hi Mark. This s a really great site, blog and organization!! I really love it.
And you average day - it's fantastic! I would love to live like this. Really, a great life with nature and no money to worry about (n fear of thieves, I mean) is what I would strive to get!!!!!!!!!
My Good Wishes to You!! Have a nice time!!!!
LyssaM comments ...
Thanks for that... always wonder what you get up to in a day, lol. I'd love to know HOW you do things so I could learn to do them too but never ask cos I know you don't exactly get much time on the computer with the power issues and with you busy doing everything else, lol. Have to say tho... I get soooooo envious of your life, lol!
My average day certainly leaves alot to be desired... Cleaning the house, walked my 5 yr old to school, walking home through the park with 3 yr old, either foraging or just running about enjoying the fresh air, coming home, cooking lunch, collecting 5 yr old from school, cooking tea, waking up hubby, getting him off to work and then spending the night listening to the constant drama on the street outside... what will it be tonight? a domestic, a man getting beat up, police stops? and then wondering if the noise from the back garden is a burglar or just that horrid cat that keeps poohing on my vegetable patch, lol.
I'd love to live in the middle of nowhere, with friends around, living on what you can do by our own hands and not worrying about money or the fact that the other little girl's mum's have a big big garden and lots of "stuff" lol... and what stops this is my hubby's obsession for money.
Sorry... that is sooooo self pitying, lol
Tho with the summer days I've been spending alot more time with my girls in the great outdoors and been eatting the food I grow myself which I looooove!
Nedua comments ...
Thanks for your unboring entry...gives me lots to think about. What I spend my time doing? Raising my son and giving him as much love as I can fit into this little being (24/7) :-) And that's exactly what I want to do.
Mark comments ...
Nameless commentator - thanks for that. Yes, I think a nation is civilised in relation to the average amount of keys a person holds. I haven't locked my door in a year, don't even know where the key is! Lyssa - if you ever need a break in the middle of nowhere from your always more than welcome. Nedua - what a beautiful way to spend your time, you're blessed, its probably one of the wonders of life that I am going to never experience. Keep packing him full of love. He sounds like a lucky kid.
Ana comments ...
As an alternative to wash yourself in the river, Mark, you could always find and small bath tub, and boil some water on your stove. I know, a time consuming task and a luxury in nature. But a deep body cleaning it's important and it feels great! : )
chrissy comments ...
sounds liek hard but rewarding work. Given the opportunity I would spend my time making stuff, clothes, bedding toys, food, (meals and cakes and goodies,) lotions and potions and learning and teaching meditiation. Oh and making excellent quality hot chocolate!
I do a small amount of all those things right now, and have a long term plan to move out of traditional "work" (government slavery,) and into providing for ourselves, and others. Will get there sooner or later as is right for us.
Am not as fit as you are Mark, had a few knocks along the path, both me and husband, and so are limited to what we can physically do, but where there's a will we are making a way!
Chrissy
Helena Mattsson comments ...
Now, I am happy, I found a site that I am really going to like to return to. Thanks for charing your life.
Robin Goodfella comments ...
This is the same guy who was going to walk from the UK to India to prove that you could travel long distances with nothing more than love in your heart. Unfortunately he forgot his phrase book and only got as far as Calais before some locals took exception to his ‘begging’ and ‘persuaded’ him to return to Blighty ;-)
He’s little more than a blatant self-publicist who gives freegans a bad name.
Mark comments ...
Ana - now that would be nice! Its the river for now though. Chrissy - I hope you get there when it is right for you. Abidextrous - your answer is in the blog, point 14. Helena - glad you love the site. Robin Goodfella - self-publicist? Why would I be publicising myself? I just stated that I rarely actually comment about my way of living, as I prefer to speak about the issues behind it - actions instead of actors. I am trying to publicise the issues involved, and I won't apologise for that. Yep, you're right, made some big mistakes re the attempted walk to India. Didn't forget my phrasebook though, and locals didn't think I was begging. I think you need to stop reading The Sun / The Mirror etc to be honest, not everything they print is true you know! I'd love to know how you propose we bring freeconomic / freegan philosophy to the attention of the majority of the population?
Really Great! comments ...
Dago comments ...
Hi, Mark!
It's Dago... the Brazilian... remember? Been trying to get ahold of you via email but I keep on getting "failure notices". Would like to talk to you about 2 videos we produced (and another idea).
Btw, loved this post!
Lyssa M comments ...
Ess.... not sure about Mark's ones but I know my sister's MIL used to have tyres that have this funny jelly stuff coating inside the tyre so that if a thorn gets in the jel stuff then filled the hole and harded and so didn't require fixing.
Jon Sterling comments ...
Man - You have the life - No Bills - Just hunting and gathering making the most of your life - Good For You Dude.
RaVen comments ...
Thanks, Mark, for your humble and realistic Freegan blog. You ask what stops civilized folks from living free.
For me, I have been homeless over 20 times - I was never able to find a stable housemate to trade on a permanent basis - and many people took advantage of my labor which started to feel like slavery as they demanded more & more from me.
I ended up being car-free and realized I do not want to live in the city anymore. I have tried to find RV for trade - but others snagged it first.
Being Deaf makes it harder to live with non-signing folks as well. I almost moved into a commune but no one knew nor were interested in seriously learning ASL.
Then, my thyroid disease completely forced me to be co-dependent on the govt. Without meds, I will die and that makes me sad that I'm unable to live further from the city.
Lastly, I want a family to support me as I cannot do this all by myself. Still, I keep my mind open and see where my life takes me, as one never knows. :)
Keep up up the inspiring role modeling you're doing.
Penny comments ...
Hi Mark
Great blog! How do you make your own soap without buying the ingredients?
Thanks
Penny
Lucky Maria comments ...
Great post. As an off the grid wannabe it's nice to see the realities layed out like this. I gotta dig a shit hole? I gotta work 27 hours a week anyway to pay my rent ? Thanks for the reality check.
Of course there are huge plusses to your lifestyle but it becomes too easy to romanticize it. Thanks again.
Ms Tommie comments ...
Very inspiring.The times I've always felt the most satisfied and relaxed were camping(not in a campground).I love the foraging, setting up the camp, building my cooking area, diging my ground toilet, making furniture from materials ,found in the woods, etc. Been dreaming of getting off the grid for years. So I have now begun ! research and planning. I'm a bridge building carpenter, so hard work dosn't scare me. I already live a simple life. Never bothered had an interest in keeping up with the Jone's. I think I'll be a natural at it. Stories like yours and others, give me courage, conviction, and ideas to move forward. Thank you.
Betty comments ...
My husband and myself have a build a freestanding 12 X 16 cabin...sawdust toilet bathroom off the side and a solar shower connected to it. We do have electicity for the well, frig and the coffeepot, but solar lights and solar hot water heater. I detest what the county and the utility agents are doing in forcing people to be servants to them. SO, we're off the grid mostly...a tax free shelter....freedom to use our money in a more responsible way...helping others.
Estrella comments ...
Interesting...
I was wondering... What about health costs?
What do you do when you get sick?