The Moneyless Man: A Year of Freeconomic Living

There is no easy answer to the big issues facing us, like climate change, economic instability, etc., but I believe that every individual can take some small steps in their own lives to help. Mark Boyle's steps were radical, setting himself a target to live entirely without using money (spending,earning or saving) for a year. I don't think that EVERYONE could do it, but I think everyone could do something to cut down on waste, to cut our use of fossil fuels, to just think about our lifestyles and consumerism. Mark Boyle makes the point of connection. Connection with where our food comes from, connection with real people, because the more you live with less, the more you need to depend on others. Well worth reading. And worth thinking about, because like it or not, we can't keep consuming at the rate we are.

One thing i must express before i write about this wonderful book is my surprise at the kinds of criticism towards it. It's one thing to be put off by the lifestyle that Boyle promotes in the book, but some of the views seem almost bitter, or dare i say it, tinged with a hint of jealousy that Boyle has recieved a little publicity as a freeconomist. One comment even suggested that this book should never have been printed in order that it keep with the beliefs of freeconomy. How else are we(the non freeconomists) supposed to learn about freeconomy if no one writes/blogs about it? Psychically? Some have also suggested that Boyle is preaching to the converted, but i think people have to remember that it's not just freeconomists or those with knowledge of freeconomy who are going to read it. I feel personally that Mark was probably NOT aiming at freeconomists, but that's just my opinion. I think he may have been aiming it at people like me, people who are tired of the money problem, yet have no knowledge of any other way. i really learned a lot from this book. In my opinion there are not enough books out there promoting this lifestyle. (and just imagine if every single person that cared about freeconomy, instead of finding fault with each other, supported each other and genuinly believed they were a team, a family; imagine what could be achieved!)The Moneyless Man was a brilliant read. While of course i'm not certain, i imagine that most people in their lives have wondered "what if", what if you somehow found yourself faced with living in the outdoors with no money, no heat, no food. Would you have what it took to survive? It's a book that clearly affects people in different ways as can be seen in the positive and negative feedback. For myself, it made me recall all the teachings that my father gave me, about trees and how to identify them, about the various wild plants. It made me look at nature in a different way. If you were starving for food and had no access to any, it's nice to think that dandilions and nettles are, at the very least, a substitute. I think this would be an enjoyable, interesting book for many people, especially those who are tired of the ways of modern day civilisation.

A truly inspiring read. I have not been so motivated and excited about a book since I read How to be free by Tom Hodgkinson. The amount of page corners I have bent is testament to that. It has already sent me on a journey exploring other individuals and ideas on low impact living.

I've often been called an 'advertiser's dream' in that as soon as I see something advertised, I add it to my shopping list without a second thought. I'm guilty of placing far too much importance on money recently, getting myself into increasing amounts of debt. This book came at the perfect time. After reading this book, I will no longer be doing that. In fact, I've already made several beneficial adjustments to my lifestyle. Mark is an inspiration. Although he has received some criticism (and let's face it, what person who has made a difference hasn't been criticised?), his way of life is one which few people would be able to carry out. He is inspirational and such a strong individual, everyone should read this book. There are many tips on how to adjust your own lifestyle to help the environment and fellow humans, and live more compassionately. I don't think, as one reviewer suggested, that Mark preaches at all and yes, his views may be a bit idealistic but if we all aspired to help the planet a bit more and shun consumerism, perhaps they wouldn't be.

As the author states, few of us will ever take the decision to live without money. For those that do, as Mark states, it’s difficult but not impossible and the rewards are worth it. Most will attain ‘steps’ towards living without money such as bartering and exchanging. Even those, tentative steps can truly help humankind.Well done Mark, fair play to you.

A very inspirational book about living sustainability in the UK and rebuilding our lost communities. Living without money in the UK is extremely difficult but Mark shows that it's not impossible.

Great ideas but the author relies a tad too much on 'hand outs ' ( which the hosts gain via 'the grid' ) and not quite as self sufficient as I was expecting. Good effort though.