How does Money control what you are doing?

I am physically limited to the actions I can take inside of society by the use of money. Are you?
If I want to make changes to things of a structural nature it requires resources, which are gained through money transfers. long subject. I look forward to watching what you think.

I am actively working to limit our use of money and maximize the flow of non-monetary resources. We make connections with friends old and new, entertain each other, share work, resources and ideas. We make do without a lot of the junk and trappings of consumer society and find ourselves happier for it. Perhaps most importantly, we work for change. Activism is one of the products of our farm!

For example, my blueberries can fetch a few dollars on the shelf at the store,but when folks come and pick the same blueberries in exchange for the help they give me on the farm, we both end up richer than the few bucks would indicate. And I don't have to drive to the store to make deliveries! I stay home with my kids instead of sending them to day care- incomparable value! A very real monetary benefit of living this way is that all the money you don't spend/earn is not taxed, so you get more value.

Here is a simple and profound idea. The general assumption is that cash, stocks, precious metals and stones, electronics, vehicles, things like that, are the most valuable commodities we can have. Actually, there is a lot of value placed n human attention these days. So many outlets, tv, internet, movies, "entertainment" are vying harder, louder and flashier to grab our attention (and the attention of our children! yuck!) So we hold the key to infinite value in the global marketplace if we only choose thoughtfully what we pay attention to and what we draw the attention of others toward. If we can draw our attention to what really matters, hoo boy there's a lot we can do.

I think that the most valuable commodity we have is human ideas and creativity. Add to that a hearty helping of love and we can do much more than money alone can do.

Matu , your point is well taken. I am very gratefull that you have the ability to spend more time with your children. I hope many others see what you have written and take hope from it.
Money is just a faster way to translate energy. I have started to barter my time for resources. This works well for me. Although others think I am in outer space. Money is an interesting tool, but nothing more. I have many tools at my disposal. yet I have not found a way to let the government know that I have resources to pay them with since they only take money. Any how ask others what they think I would like too see the ideas about money.

Matu, right! Trade and bartering is a great system. It takes time to build up a good community network in order to survive primarily on a barter system, but even in the early small stages, it can help someone get by. In my area, many people are willing to trade and barter. In addition, it is traditional Hawaiian culture to share one's surplus. You have too much fish? Then give it away to the neighbors. Then when they get too much fish (or whatever), they will give some to you.

Time banks are another way to survive without money. You contribute time to the "bank", say by working on painting someone's house, then you can withdraw that time by say, having people come help plant your orchard trees or put up fencing. The system is a labor exchange.

Land sharing is another scheme. Our community garden group land shares. They get to use a large chunk of land plus free water for gardens at no cash exchange. But they "help" the landowner by maintaining the landscaping around the house and acting as general caretakers for the farm.

Pasture sharing goes on here. So does livestock sharing. Caretaking is another way people can live here on very little money. But you have to maintain an impeccable reputation for that to work for you. But I know of caretakers who have worked their way up to free, nice housing, free use of land and water...that sort of thing. Assisted living aides also can do well here. I know of a few people who have worked their way up to nice housing, free board, free use of a car, free use of land for farming, that sort of thing in exchange for assisting an elderly or disabled person.

So opportunities to survive without totally relying upon money do exist.

Aha! The less money you have, the les the government asks you for!

Certainly there are uses for money, and situations where nothing else will do (blueberries won't pay a speeding ticket...)

We try to keep some around for useful occasions.

You may be in the outer reaches of normal in our society, but the society has so much crazy in it that being well adapted to crazy is not what I'm going for.

A little friendliness, listening and generosity goes a long way. Meeting farmers and listening to them is a wealth of information. Helping a neighbor a little can bring big help when needed. Building networks out of trust and shared experience turns on the spigot of abundance. The taxman can't take that away!

Seth

> I am physically limited to the actions I can take inside of society by the use of money.

Umm... Well your body is physical. Taking a daily walk, meeting those around you, smelling the roses, isn't that part of the structure of your life?

I've always thought "Render unto Ceasar..." said a lot about where real power, and value lies.


Rufus

To steal a little from Lincoln --- Most of what I am or ever hope to be is limited by my need for money.

I need lots more of it. Many of my goals require it. The work I have planned for tomorrow and the next few months is mostly unrelated to my true desires. I'm doing it because I need the money. I'm not in the sort of dire situation that would lead some to despair, but it's not all sunshine and rainbows either. I often find myself doing work that is far beneath my skill level and some of it is dangerous. It's hard to stay interested.

At least I haven't run up a bunch of debt and my health is good. Cup half full, I suppose.

You got lots more ambition than I, Dale. But you're going to end up with much stronger character... <G>

But it's kinda a long standing problem: "By the sweat of your brow. ye shall eat your food...", so we seem to be stuck with it.

Rufus

I was thinking about various political points of view, when it occurred to me that whether you lean far to the left or far to the right, it becomes easier to pick the pockets of those around you. I'm going to tweak this into a good joke !

I like the joke Dale -- horrid truths that seem like jokes are the best of jokes me thinks...

Whether working for barter, working for self-sufficiency, or working for money, it comes out kind of the same. But money is the most flexible and exchangeable of the 3 (and maybe the most unreliable in the long run?) Self-sufficiency is where I work the cheapest...