I really like my job. Of course I would prefer not to work, but everyone says that. Over the last weekend I thought to myself…Why do I enjoy the weekends so much? I enjoy them because they are a break from my work week, but what if I didn’t have a work week to break away from.
I recently met someone at Starbucks who doesn’t work. He lives, eats, and bathes on a daily basis; but he has no income. Regan is a 30 something year old man who lives entirely on the barter system. He doesn’t earn a monthly income and he leads a simple, very happy, and non materialistic life.
Of course as a financial services employee with a monthly disposable income to spend anyway I want, I don’t understand this concept. So I sat down with Regan (at Starbucks) to discuss his moneyless lifestyle. Regan was at Starbucks for the free WiFi internet access. He wasn’t drinking or eating anything; he declined my offer to buy him a Tall Caramel Latte with Whipped Cream.
I have occasionally seen Regan at my local Starbucks over the last few months. He always sits in the same spot with his laptop, and we occasionally exchange a smile as I wait for my Latte. Last week I decided to say hello to Regan and ask what he was working on. I expected him to say the world’s next great novel. But he didn’t. He uses the free Wi-Fi internet access at Starbucks because he volunteers as a remote technical support analyst for a start up internet provider.
“You will be much happier when I teach you how to live in a world that is not ruled by money”. Regan used to work as a chartered accountant, but the stress on young professionals combined with the pressure of corporate accounting led Regan to leave his 9-5. He has lived in the same apartment for over 10 years, so when he decided to leave his plus $80,000 a year accounting job his landlord was very understanding.
Regan now lives rent free in exchange for various handy work chores and home repairs. He even eats one meal a day with his landlord. Regan is not lazy and he does not live carefree. Actually, he lives a very structured life. He volunteers for the start up internet provider 5 days a week. In his spare time he repairs computers for extra cash to buy basic goods such as soap and groceries.
Regan doesn’t indulge in anything. His life is about personal fulfillment rather than financial assets and his personal net worth. “More Money. More Problems” and according to Regan “No Money, No Problems.” He doesn’t need or want material goods in his life, and he doesn’t live in a world ruled by money. Could you? Think about why you love money and how you spend it.
Ask yourself these questions to see if you could live in a moneyless world like Regan.
If I didn’t work every day I would ________
I would feel ________ if I didn’t have money
My current financial priority is ________
If I didn’t have money I would ________
Regan’s life seems idyllic at first. No pressure, no worries. He has a lot of skills to use as barter. A big plus for him. His life makes the life style workable being he has no wife or children who would have to share his experiment.
I do envy his life. It’s hard to imagine such a no stress, no worry life. I would like to try it.
It’s not that people love money but that is the fuel that makes your life go. If you want anything substantial you are going to need some money. Barter only goes so far. What does he do for medical needs when he is sick. I guess he could just go to the hospital.
I would go Reagan one better and live a wildlife adventure ala “Survivorman”.
I agree to a point- more money means your problems have more zeros. In other words, the bigger your income the more expensive your problems.
I dont think no money is the answer. I think a no money lifestyle or an off-the-grid lifestyle pose a different set of problems.
Reducing stress and worry is a choice that can be made at any income level. Its a question of how you see your circumstances. Everything is a choice. It ‘s possible to earn an income and live a life of personal fulfillment. The question is what do you trade for money?
Good luck to Regan!
If I didn’t work everyday I would sleep.
I would feel stranded if I didn’t have money.
My current financial priority is to save for vacations and travel every year to a new destination.
If I didn’t have money I would still make ends meet…I am learning the art of negotiations.
If I didn’t work every day I would have more time and energy to bring out my inner renaissance man.
I would feel humbled if I didn’t have money.
My current financial priority is paying off my massive student loan debt.
If I didn’t have money I would get by, provided I was out of debt at that point.
What an inspiring man. It amazing to witness personal fulfillment without the help of money. Now I have to sit down and do a bit of a self examination as to my wants vs needs.
I agree with Dave; supporting a family inhibits one’s ability to live without income. Although it would defnitely be nice to have less stress in my life, I prefer having a house, a family and some income.
My dream is to work for myself, from my home, about 10-20 hours a week. In a couple of years, when my kids move out and my house is paid off, I won’t need as much income as I earn right now. Then, I can trade some income for peace of mind.
I totally understand Regan’s mindset since years ago I was that overworked, unfulfilled corporate accounting geek that quit the accounting world looking for fulfillment. But I think what often happens when we’re in a situation we don’t like is that we veer wildly from one direction to another where there’s such a middle ground that we could occupy that’s a lot more balanced and more freeing as well.