Meet The Man Who Lives Without Money
The fascinating story of a man named Mark Boyle, who is famously referred to as the 'Moneyless Man'.
By Judith Yeoh — 16 Oct 2013, 08:57 PM — Updated almost 11 years ago
He lives without money and, as per his own record, he manages it just fine. Here's how
He grew up in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, in north-west Ireland. He took a degree in Business at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, before moving to the UK in 2002.
In 2008, economics graduate and former businessman Mark Boyle gave up the one resource we all crave more of: money.
He sold his house, found a place to live where he could trade labor directly for accommodation, set up a rocket stove made from discarded catering cans, a solar shower, a veggie garden, and a compost toilet.
theguardian.com
Everything in Mark’s life takes a lot longer as part of his new moneyless routine. Like for example, washing his clothes takes a couple of hours of scrubbing with hand-made soap.
Mark says, “It's all worth it in the end because the feeling of liberation and connection with nature it has afforded me more than compensates for the minor inconveniences."
banoosh.com
The change in Mark's life came one evening on the yacht whilst philosophising with a friend over a glass of merlot
He says: "whilst I had been significantly influenced by the Mahatma’s quote “be the change you want to see in the world”, I had no idea what that change was up until then."
banoosh.com
Adding: "we began talking about all major issues in the world – environmental destruction, resource wars, factory farms, sweatshop labour – and wondering which of these we would be best devoting our time to."
abc.net.auHe then says: "so to be the change I wanted to see in the world, it unfortunately meant I was going to have to give up money, which I decided to do for a year initially. So I made a list of the basics I’d need to survive."
banoosh.com
A member of the freecycle website (www.freecycle.org) gave Mark his caravan for free and he parks it on an organic farm in return for 3 days work per week
He cuts most of his wood in spring so that the logs can dry over the summer and be ready for winter
Everything that Mark eats, he has to forage, grow, or barter for
One of the lessons that Mark learned living without money was to look for resources in the world around him. Foraging for food is an experience that combines nature, adventure, exercise, and great food. He also checks local supermarket dumpsters that throw away food that is past its sell-by date.
abc.net.auMark often cycles 100km+ per week on a bike complete with trailer, a dynamo for the lights and puncture-proof tires
Living without money means you have to produce your own energy
Mark’s rocket stove is fuel-efficient and made from recycled materials. He uses wood that he gathers from the surrounding area to cook his dinner.
Summer is the best time of year for Mark as the days are longer, the weather is warmer, and there’s more food for him to harvest around his caravan
Taking time out from the hectic money-driven world that we live in has taught Mark a lot
Although his experience of living without money has occasionally been difficult, it has also been the happiest time of his life.
theguardian.com
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