The Moneyless Man

A Year of Freeconomic Living

By: Mark Boyle

Narrated by: David Thorpe

Imagine a year without spending - or even touching - money. Former businessman Mark Boyle did just that and here is his extraordinary story. Going back to basics and following his own strict rules, Mark learned ingenious ways to eliminate his bills and discovered that good friends are all the riches you need.

Encountering seasonal foods, solar panels, skill-swapping schemes, cuttlefish toothpaste, compost toilets, and - the unthinkable - a cash-free Christmas, Boyle puts the fun into frugality and offers some great tips for economical (and environmentally friendly) living. A testament to Mark's astounding determination, this witty and heart-warming book will make you re-evaluate your relationship to your wallet.

©2010 Mark Boyle (P)2012 Audible Ltd

Critic reviews

"Essential and enjoyable reading. The fascinating story of an important social experiment, told with humility, insight, and great humour." (Chris Cleave, Sunday Times best-selling author of The Other Hand and Guardian columnist)

very enjoyable. springboard to moneyless living.

great ideas for moneyless living. it's about community. the advocates a kind of native american (early) lifestyle (but doesn't say this explicitly).

A Mature, Healthy Exploration of Money's effect

What did you love best about The Moneyless Man?

That he wasn't hateful or unrealistic about our economy's need to realize the effect of money and debt. He was straight forward but optomistic, emphathetic, and empowering.

What does David Thorpe bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He chuckles at the right spots in the reading. It keeps it light hearted.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not necessarily. It requires thought and contemplation.

Any additional comments?

A great overview of the effects of money and debt and an empowering guide to beginning a life of strength in community instead of dependancy on money.

Made me think about what is possible

I have no desire to go without money, but I like the fact that he did what I didn’t think possible. It makes me wonder what I can do that is difficult but not a difficult as his moneyless year. This is a principled mountain climb … not to go somewhere but to extend our idea of what’s possible. We don’t get hung up on how someone achieves an ultra marathon so why complain about “preaching.” His beliefs and resolve allowed him to achieve something I didn’t think possible. It also inched me towards less waste. This book delivered exactly what I expected and more.

amazing

I'm glad, mark had the courage to do what I wont but want to do. I'm inspired to make changes in my own life. I started to give away things, take showers with no soap and less water. I'm becoming a little more mindful. I hope I can contribute to the world like mark is, in my own way.

Entertaining and informative

So many things I hadn't have thought of before listening! Inspiring and entertaining although it took a few chapters to 'take off' which I find happens in similar themed books. Highly recommend it.

In a word, preachy

While this book began with and had some sections I found enjoyable, they were quickly ruined by the constant lifestyle preaching. Vegan, organic, stop using oil, consumerism is bad. After a while it just got annoying.

I found that most of his “ingenious” methods for living without money simply involved relying on the waste and/or the kindness of others. It’s a catch 22 that if the author actually achieved his utopia of a society without money and rampant consumerism, he probably wouldn’t be able to continue sustaining his lifestyle the way he did.

While there were good messages peppered throughout, they were overshadowed by the delivery. Boyle even days himself, it wasn’t until he stopped preaching about how horrible his parents lifestyle was and started simply providing information, that they finally became receptive of his message. It’s a shame he didn’t keep that lesson in mind when writing this book.

Not as extreme as I thought it would be.

More money = more stress and less liberty. I was disappointed that he became a squatter on someone else's farm and offered his free labor as compensation. Another factor was the use of items people would freely give away for various reasons. Lastly, his large dependance for food waste from grocery stores, and less on what he was able to cultivate.

Honestly figured the guy would live off of a portable mini greenhouse and camp along the way. Something along that scenario. However, I did realize how comfortable I could live financially with a smaller income after reading this book. Not to say I didn't figure out the numbers years prior to this book. Less money is doable. However, money does make living easier in some aspects. We humans don't need as much money we think we do. Only man made money "necessary", because plants and animals grow without it every day :)

One thing I can agree with the author is the fact that education can be free. The student just has to be willing to look in the right places.

very idealistic

A lot of activist opinions which the author in his newest book had to go back on. His ability to question his ideals with reason is very refreshing. All in all some very inspiring content

Let Down After The Way Home

The Way Home was a refreshing and informative story. Boyle avoided preaching the “Climate Change” dogma and let the story unfold. This compelled me to read The Moneyless Man. Big mistake. It was a diatribe of climate cultism. Very disappointing.