Living Without Money: Heidemarie Schwermer’s Story
Have you ever imagined living without any money? Impossible? Heidemarie Schwermer is one of the few people in Europe who has never touched a euro, and she doesn’t think she ever will. She first started thinking about the idea in 1994 when she set up a barter group in Dortmund, Germany. The principle of the group was that all work is equally valuable, so, for example, you could exchange a math class for a haircut or do some babysitting in exchange for a few hours of gardening. However, she did not feel this was enough. She wanted to demonstrate that a different world was possible. In 1996, she gave away all her possessions, including her flat, and her life has changed completely since then. She does not earn money and certainly hasn’t got a credit card or a checkbook, so how does she manage?
Finding Shelter and Sustenance
Finding somewhere to live was one of her first problems. Initially, she looked after other people’s houses or cared for their elderly relatives in return for somewhere to live. For the last few years, she has slept in a local NGO’s flat, but it isn’t a ‘home’. Apart from a wardrobe at a friend’s house where she keeps a few clothes and personal items, she owns nothing. Elegantly dressed, she says she lives well. How? Although she receives occasional donations from friends, she usually barters for anything she needs. When she needs something, for example, some new toothpaste, she thinks: ‘Who can I ask? What can I offer in exchange?’ Since she started, she has done all sorts of work, from giving therapy and participating in courses and conferences to cleaning houses.
The Allure of Cash
A few years ago, she experimented with carrying a small amount of cash. She used it to buy small everyday things, but it did not work. ‘You soon go back to old habits. First, you spend a little on a packet of biscuits, then it’s a bus ticket and so on… It’s easier without any money.
Challenges and Triumphs
Of course, it hasn’t always been easy. In her book, My Life Without Money, she records moments of loneliness and crisis: ‘There have been times when I felt like a beggar because I asked someone a favor. Something that people find hard, even close friends, often do not understand me or why I’m doing this.’ Despite the difficulties, Schwermer is adamant that it has been worth it and her new life is a success.
Have you ever imagined living without money? Impossible? Heidemarie Schwermer is one of the few people in Europe who has never touched a euro, and she did not think he will. She began to think of the idea in 1994, when he created a barter group in Dortmund, Germany. The `top of the group was that all work is equally valid, so that, for example, you can swap a math class for a haircut or do some babysitting in exchange for a few hours of gardening. However, he did not feel this was enough. wanted to show that another world is possible. In 1996 he gave all his possessions, including his apartment, and his life has changed completely since then. She earns no money and certainly not have a credit card or a checkbook, so how do you manage?
Finding a Place to Live
Find a place to live was one of his early problems. At first, she looked after the houses of other people or care for their elderly relatives in exchange for a place to live. For the past years has been sleeping on the floor of a local NGO, but is not a “home.” Apart from a closet in a friend’s house where he keeps some clothes and some personal items that do not own anything. She dresses elegantly and is said to live well. l-low? Although it receives occasional donations from friends, which usually barter for anything she needs. ‘L VVhen need something, for example, a new toothpaste, I think: \ / \ / ho I can ask? What I can offer in return? Since it began what has made all kinds of work, teaching courses of therapy and participation in conferences cleaning houses.
Experimenting with Cash
A few years ago, she experimented with the production of a small amount of cash. He used to buy little things everyday, but did not work. “Very soon return to old habits. First, spend a bit of a packet of biscuits, then a bus ticket, etc. … It’s easier in no money.
Overcoming Challenges
Of course, has not always been easy. In his book “My Life” without money that records the times of isolation and crisis: “There have been times and I felt like a beggar because I asked someone a favor. l Something hard to find is that people, even close friends often do not understand or l am about to do this. Despite the difficulties, Scnwermer insists that it has paid off and your new life is a success.