living without money

[twokniveskatie]

<font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><b>i know we all need money in this culture/economy, but though it is hard, there <i>is</i>&nbsp;another way. this article is a reminder to keep open to the other possibilities, ways we can supplement our lifestyle without cash.&nbsp;</b></font><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><b><br></b></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><b>i think of this as already a part of "vandweller economy".....i have been the recipient of many gifts already, and hope i have, in some small way, been able to give it back.&nbsp;</b></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><b><br></b></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><b>sorta like the tribal thing, we vandwellers.....</b></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><b><br></b></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><b>anyhow, here it is:</b></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><b><br></b></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" size="2"><b><a href="http://www.sott.net/articles/show/222965#comment41865" target="_blank">http://www.sott.net/articles/show/222965#comment41865</a></b></font></div>

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

<b><FONT size=3>Fascinating. I like the honesty, it seems that much of this trail she is on is met with hostility or disbelief. She just keeps marching to her own music.&nbsp; I must admit freeing oneself of 'things' is not easy but feels so good as I am doing it. </FONT></b><br><b><FONT size=3>I do not want to be without money though. After so many years in a marriage that an allowence was doled out grudgingly, even money I earned, I very much fear having no money.</FONT></b><br><b><FONT size=3>Diane</FONT></b><br>

 

[Guest]

Thanks Kate....awesome lady. She reminds my a little of Peace Pilgrim and her methods are a bit like Timebanking....<br><br>&lt;http://www.peacepilgrim.com/&gt;<br>&lt;http://www.timebanks.org/&gt;<br><br>Very good stuff....<br>Bri<br><br>

 

[Guest]

Right on Katie! Trading/Bartering is awesome. I'm from NH and it's how I grew up. Not buying and selling, but "doing deals". Trading stuff for other stuff. Someone from NH or Maine will say, "What'd you give for it?" instead of "What did you pay for it?".

Anyone with access to craigslist can post or look in the For Sale&gt; Barter section. Or check the other sections for what you need, don't be shy - if someone has something you need or want - go right ahead and ask them if they want to "do a deal".

"Yard shopping" - it's like window shopping, except you look in people's yards as you drive/walk/bike around. You see something you need - go up to their door and see if you can work a trade. There's all kinds of good stuff laying around, unused and unwanted in people's yards. Most people will be happy to let you have it for free or for helping them clean up the yard. Or offer whatever other skills you have - dog walking, auto detailing, painting, house work, whatever.

YOU DON'T ASK - YOU DON'T GET.

 

[VanTramp]

Very cool lady and a great write up! Thanks!

 

[Dust of the Sun]

Asking for some brainpower, er brainstorming help...I have two friends who own farms in North Carolina and Virginia...one is mostly small garden specialty crops but with chickens and donkeys....the other is strictly a cool mini-zoo: Clydesdale horses, goats...one of which needs milking, a goofy Llama, Great Pyrenees dog...well, both farms need some help but can't afford paying for it. Do you think a 2-3 hour per day farm help in exchange for free camping is anything that would interest vandwellers?? Obviously this would appeal to animal lovers and people who love growing things and have some income, maybe retirement, social security, pension etc. Just searching for solutions for 2 lady farmer friends who are receptive to RVs...wondering what type of interesting arrangements full-time rubber tramps might have experienced in exchange for PLACE??? Isn't BLM land slash endless free camping more a western US thing?? <br>

 

[akrvbob]

I think it is a great idea! Are they organic farms? If so there is an organization already set up for exactly what they want to do called WWOOF<br>http://www.wwoof.org/<br><br>If they aren't organic they could still do it, they will just have to post the opportunities on the many forums and groups for RVers. Summers are so hot back there that it would be worth it to me to be able to park in the shade of a tree or have power to run an air conditioner. Or even better, if they are in the mountains of NC where it is much cooler. <br><br>And yes, living on public land is very difficult on the East coast and very easy on the West coast. Bob<br><br>

 

[karl]

DotS- I made my first winter trip into NC this winter to visit a cousin, I plan to go again and would be very interested spending time at either or both farms....pretty sure I still have farm skills....<img src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" align="absmiddle" border="0"><br>you can PM or email me if you prefer.<br><br>

 

[Annie W]

Ah, teacher 'Heidemarie' - Tauschring - a place where people can exchange their skills or possessions for other skills and possessions, a money-free zone: Give +Take.

re the homeless, she says "they should be able to empower themselves by making themselves useful, despite debts, destitution or joblessness. "I've always believed that even if you have nothing, you are worth a lot. Everyone has a place in this world."

re Books: we homeschooled & I sold new educational books, but gave many more away. Those on plain paper even prolonged their usefulness by becoming compost enriching the garden. - You can grow herbs even in a car.

re pain, & sick?: Heidemarie relies on what she calls the "power of self-healing. When something hurts, I put my hand on it and say to myself "I have the power to heal myself" and the pain goes away. Then I got up the next day and everything was fine. - So true. She speaks wisdom. - (I know that too, even as a nurse for 37 years.) In the flesh Heidemarie is engaging as well as lively and youthful, and, it may come as a surprise given her lifestyle, 67 years old.
Certainly she has been called "naive" and "idealistic". Funny thing, I too am called such routinely in many contexts. Were I to meet Heidemarie, we would speak the same language in more ways than one. Sounds like we are soul-sisters in many ways: What a great example she too is, of so many achievements that for us all are possible...

 

[Victor]

I've been thinking about poverty issues in the U.S. for almost 15 years. This idea is highly plausible. I never thought about doing something entirely taking money out of the equation although I had been aware of free cycle as an idea. I know we have likely made most that needs to be made and the rest can be made by ourselves or those we hold dealings with. I wouldn't be against trying to add this idea to my life long project sustainable lives. I feel like it could be a necessary piece of the puzzle. Although, to have an entire community do this or communities intersecting to do this sustainably they would have to have skills to obtain or manufacture all basic necessities of human need. And the bigger the congregate the more governance. As you can see even among nomads who do RTR? I'm guessing there is a need a basic code of ethics or oversight? I've never been able to figure out a way that's completely better than a widely acceptable measure of value (means of exchange) like the dollar. Small communities can achieve it but to solve the issue for larger or complete complex civilizations or dense population centers where cultural values are sometimes different - things get a little trickier. Anyhow. Excellent - so glad for this post!!!

 

[Annie W]

More:
CareToTrade You can buy items directly or barter/trade them for items or services.
everyone knows about Craigslist.org section for bartering 
Freecycle offer up things you don't want and hunt for free things you do want.
PeopleTradingServices.com. as a free member you can then sort through what services others are seeking, & you too.
Trashbank allows users to sell or barter.
U-Exchange calls itself the largest free swap site, even for vehicles. Available in 82 countries.