For all you would realize you need time, and usually also money. The latter does not always fit in an alternative concept. Is there 'reasonable' money, or can you work without it?

geldketenskBanks want to make as much profit as possible. Human values ​​are not paramount thereby. Ethical or sustainable banking with a focus on environmental and social impacts, without investment in arms production and -trade, and gentech is only properly respected by a few banks.
From the outrage over banks and the banking crisis is now developing the cooperative New B in Belgium. New-B and Triodos are "ethical" banks that let prevail human and environmental values, they do not invest in weapons, slavery, nuclear and environmental pollution (forest felling, gmo, ..)


When people rob banks they go to jail.
When banks rob people they get a bonus.


If you want to borrow money for a larger project you have to prepare a business and financial plan. Consider a cooperative, and fundraising.

Interest free loan to organizations with social value exist (in Belgium).


Few banks provide microcredits, small loans to mostly small (female) entrepreneurs in developing countries.

For some services the government provides subsidy. Allocated according to regulations. Let your initiative or idea not be determined or distorted by it. Try it without, and see it as an (always temporary) extra.

Although it is not, it seems like money is created and issued by governments. Actually, it's just symbols (token, note, number) with the value given to it and accepted. There is also other money:

L.E.T.S.: Local Exchange Trading System is a centrally managed network to exchange stuff, time, services and knowledge on a voluntary basis. The Lets are the units by which you do not immediately have to deliver a return.

There is also such a barter system for companies. 

In the low countries there are already some healthcare currencies (e.g. Trumpets) in circulation that aim to contribute to more social cohesion, empowerment of vulnerable groups and a caring society. Citizens are rewarded with this. Japan is trying to keep up with the Fureai kippu ('Caring Business Cards') the problem of a rapidly aging population. You can find more knowledge and experience about complementary currency systems at http://www.fairfin.be/muntuit

Even virtual coins as the bitcoin are increasingly being used (by digi lovers). But in practice too less spread to be useful.

Regional currencies are also on the rise. Several municipalities, departments and agencies make their own local exchange units, often exchanged for hard currency (Complementary currency systems).

During the Depression ('20 -'30) were local currencies (inspired by the free-money of Silvio Gesell, 1862-1930), the Wara (Germany) and in Worgl (Austria) so efficient and successful that they by government (through Central Banks) were banned. Which created unemployment.

Penniless- moneyless

The German Heidemarie Schwermer (1942) is a teacher and psychotherapist. In May 1996, she sold everything to start to live without money. She wrote a book: "A rich life without money," and there was a movie made​​. She inspired many others.

There are sites where you find information about ways to live with less money.
Some try to live one year without money, like Carolien Highland.
Whether the Irish businessman Mark Boyl, he left his beautiful home for a caravan. "Ironically, I am happier now than ever. I have more real friends, and have not been sick the past fifteen months, I feel fitter than ever. I have everything I need. The only thing I miss from my previous life is stress, traffic jam and accounts."

Without money you can get things from others charities (and monasteries), give square, -shop, or cabinet, free food…

In a Repair cafe you can restore for free your own stuff yourself under supervision.
A potluck is a dinner where everyone brings something, so there are no costs.
InFrench:repas-partage, aubergeespagnole, buffet or suppercanadien: everyone bringstheir owncontributiontothe commonbuffet.

Walnuts, hazelnuts and chestnuts can be freely gathered. For other fruits are free collection capabilities (and websites).

Or help someone picking fruit for half of the proceeds.
Lost fruit trees you can free of their burdens with a fruit picker( stick).

Dumpster diving is a modern name to tumble appropriate gear and food from a garbage (often department stores).
There are also shops that sell (almost) expired food cheap in many major cities.


Or eateries that use cheap raw materials.

CouchSurfing (couchsurfing.org) lets you worldwide sleep on the sofa bed at good or committed souls. (also https://www.airbnb.nl/)
At wwoof.org you can worldwide voluntary work half days on organic farms for room and board.
In a squat you live for free (See <Housing>).

At Todmorden (GB) volunteers planted all green city spots with edible crops that can be harvested and consume by anyone. https://www.incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk/

 (See also <Garden>)


On a shoestring

Poors unite too. Have their own pubs and websites to exchange tips. For the homeless, there are (winter) shelters and soup kitchens.

In Seattle offers enterprising homeless Mike Momany for $ 2,000 a course Homeless life. (No idea if ever someone entered.)

Poverello and others creates temporary for little money hot meals, clean clothes, shelter.

Selflessly helping and DIY: try Google and Facebook.
Used and Second hand Stores offer cheap used stuff too.
Buy direct from the manufacturer, see signs along the way: free-range eggs (chickens), honey, fruits, potatoes...

You can start yourself by microfinance projects (http://www.kiva.org/) worldwide.
Field combers collect food (like before the gleaners), crop residues on the field. It is customary to make agreements with the owner about this.
Associations and neighborhoods are organizing to buy services, energy or goods in bulk with volume discount. Together purchasing e.g. oil, electricity, potato, isolation,..).

Basic income. Is a discussion, not a fact. It gives everyone the chance to have a decent life and to participate in social life. And doing things that (s)he finds valuable, likes doing. (This mostly also includes working.)

Food
Food banks provide free collected (sometimes almost expired) food to those who need it.

Restaurants for poor, among others provide meals for disadvantaged people.

Cooking with food from the dumpster (from supermarkets) has lately been repeatedly demonstrated to show that we are constantly throwing away perfectly usable and good food ((over the 'freshness date') as waste.

Also stores with nearly expired food pop up.

The village restaurant offers once a week an accessible venue where neighbors food and meet for a small fee. It also targets socially isolated people. (And social employment for the kitchen.)


The French economistThomas Pikettylle warns that political power and wealthin the coming years more and more will fall into the hands of a small group of extremely wealthy.