We've all had to cut down on spending since the giant global recession hit in back in 2008. But in this age of austerity and belt-tightening, is it possible to not only curb your spending but actually live WITHOUT money at all?
Mark Boyle thinks it is, and he should know; he's been doing just that for more than two years. Mark was the manager for organic food business when he decided to bite the bullet and live 'off-grid', initially for a year.
He got a caravan, which he was allowed to park on an organic farm in exchange for some manual labour, and begun his cash-free existence. For food he foraged, grew his own or bartered with neighbours. To get around he got a second-hand bike with a trailer and to go to the toilet… he used a compost heap.
Despite the challenges he enjoyed the experience so much he made the lifestyle choice a permanent one. He told Yahoo! Finance: "Since I gave up money I haven't been happier or healthier and fitter to be honest. I could have gone back to using money at any moment, but I've chosen not to."
It was environmental concerns — and a fairly hardcore anti-capitalistic attitude — that made Mark forgo cash. "I think we're slightly misguided in this country these days about what will make us happy. We think consuming more and more and more will make us happy, that we'll suddenly find happiness at the end of that rainbow.
"I happened to start this around the exact time of the credit crunch back in 2008 and I think that event shook people's faith in the whole economic system and made them realise that security isn't necessary guaranteed in notes and coins and electronic numbers. Security is relationships with people in your local community."
What we can learn
While not everyone will share Mark's world view or want to live his extreme lifestyle, we could all reconsider our relationship with cash.
"I think everyone can make a transition towards being less dependent on money," Mark said. "For most people living completely moneyless is unrealistic, unless they are totally committed. But I think everyone wants to save money and have less of an environmental impact and have some fun in the process. It doesn't have to be a big sacrifice."
With this in mind, Mark spilled the (ethically sourced) beans on how he's managed to nab holidays, accommodation, garden tools… and a place to live, all for absolutely nothing.
How to get... a house
…well, a caravan at least. Mark picked his up at freecycle, an online community of millions of likeminded money savers. It works like this: If you've got a toaster that you don't want, you can post a message on the site saying "I've got a toaster" with your post code. You can also post wanted messages like "I need a new toaster". Then if someone does they'll email you back, saying "I have one, pick it up at so-and-so-time".
Mark says: "It's very simple, you can send out an email and in 15 minutes you'll usually have what you're looking for. I've got everything from mobile phones to tents to my caravan. This woman got in contact and said she had one that she couldn't be bothered to fix-up so I just took it off her hands. It was worth £500 and in really good condition."
How to get... Legal advice and lawnmowers
One thing us Brits are getting worse at, it seems, it talking to our neighbours. That's where sites like's like Freeconomy (which Mark helps run) come in. Essentially it's online community where people can share their skills, knowledge and tools - all for free.
Mark says: "The superficial thing about Freeconomy is sharing tools and what have you, but actually it's about just getting people to know their neighbours again.
"Why does everyone in a street need a lawnmower or a certain kind of drill? Why can't people pool their resources? That's what the site does, if a lawyer borrows a lawnmower, he can give some legal advice in return, all for free. It's a win-win-win situation."
How to get... a place to stay in Paris
Want to go on holiday but can't afford hotel or B&B prices? Amazingly, you might not have to pay for these either. Couch surfing is becoming more and more popular, with sites like, er, http://www.couchsurfing.org/ giving you access to thousands of potential holiday homes. Not only is it free, but you'll get invaluable insider knowledge on the city you're staying in from your hosts.
Mark says: "If you're going to Paris for weekend, you just send an email to members at somewhere like Couch-surfers and you'll get loads of replies.
"I'm a host and I have used it before to stay in places like Portugal, France and Greece. Everyone takes it in really good spirits, plus there's a fantastic verification system, so it's really safe."
How to get... a free holiday on a farm
Don't fancy staying on a stranger's couch? There's another way to get free holiday accommodation, as long as you don't mind getting your hands dirty. WWOOF is a worldwide scheme where people can go and stay on an organic farm totally for free in exchange for working 15-25 hours a week.
Mark says: "It's a great chance to go and learn loads of skills about growing food and living amongst nature.
"The farms are usually beautiful and lovely places to stay and you get food and accommodation on top of that. It's about having a good time but also helping out these farms which don't really make any money.
"People can get a break from city life and it won't cost them a penny. I've done it in New Zealand and Australia and I've done a bit here as well. I've met so many amazing incredible people doing it."
How to get... free grub
Unless you want to go rummaging through supermarket bins, nabbing yourself some free grub is going to take a little effort and imagination. However even busy folk with jobs and families can still cut down on the grocery bills without too much fuss (or buying an allotment). Mark's first tip is to buy a ready grown fruit tree from somewhere like here.
Mark says: "He's a guy in Devon who grows his own fruit trees and you buy them one or two years already grown. Then you simply plant them and in another year or so you start getting fruit. And there's almost no effort.
"As long as you plant them in the right place you have almost unlimited fruit for up to 25 years. It's ideal for people with no time or space."
Foraging is another way of getting free food that's become trendy in recent years thanks to TV shows like Roadkill Cafe and the success of the Noma, the world's top-rated restaurant which made its name with foraged ingredients like 'radishes in edible soil'.
According to Mark it's worth swatting up before hitting the hedgerows yourself at sites like ReaditSwapit, or even doing a day course (http://www.wildmanwildfood.com/) . It's worth the effort though.
"It's a really fun way to spend a day," he said
"The UK is amazing for foraging between June and October. You just need to bring yourself along a little book and see how many plants you can find and how much food you can get for free. It's a really good way of connecting people with their local plants."
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