Living without money isn’t a new concept for us—we’ve adapted to credit cards, UPI, and mobile payments. However, the idea of living entirely without money 10–15 years ago would certainly raise eyebrows. Surprisingly, there was a time—and a person—who managed to do just that for an incredible 20 years! Sounds unbelievable, right? Let’s dive into her story.
Heidemarie Schwermer – She was a woman who grew up in Prussia and was the daughter of a very successful businessman, She was born in 1942 and worked as a teacherfor almost 20 years in Germany before she became a psychotherapist. She had a full-time gardener and also a nanny on their payroll during her childhood. When war hit Europe in 1939, Schwermer and her family lost all of their wealth and had to flee. After World War II, her father was able to start again. He started a tobacco company, and within time, her family was once again wealthy.
When She Embarked On A ‘Money-Free’ Life
In her 50s, Schwermer had a stable career as a teacher and later as a psychotherapist, earning a good income. But despite her financial security, something felt missing. She longed for the sense of purpose and resilience she had experienced during her childhood struggles. This yearning set her on an unusual path—one that led her to experiment with a life completely free from money.
In 1994, when she set up Germany’s first exchange circle. It was a system where people could support each other by exchanging simple services. From house cleaning to babysitting, people traded skills for goods, creating a community of mutual help. Schwermer soon realized that relying on this exchange circle meant she needed money less and less. Then, a friend asked her to house-sit—an offer that sparked an idea. She decided to take on a bold challenge: to live without money for an entire year. What started as a personal experiment soon turned into a transformative journey.
Moneyless Experience
The first thing Schwermer did was sell everything she owned, including her apartment. She kept only a few small items that could easily fit into a suitcase. Initially, she expected this to be an experiment lasting just 12 months. However, it turned into a lifestyle she would continue until her passing. Through this experience, she discovered a new, happier way of living. By the end of those 12 months, she had found the path she wanted to follow for the rest of her life.
In the early months of her experiment, Schwermer stayed with old friends, and her unconventional lifestyle quickly piqued the interest of many. People started asking her to speak about her mission, which led her to travel and share her journey with others. On the lecture circuit, she met many people who offered to host her. When accepting speaking engagements, she only accepted train fare, always refusing any payment. In her hosts’ homes, she would often pitch in with odd jobs—everything from washing windows to tending gardens—helping in any way she could. It became a natural way for her to contribute and earn her keep. Over the years, her hosts never expected anything in return; their generosity was based purely on mutual respect.
Documentary
In 2010, a documentary was made about Schwermer’s life, simply titled Life Without Money. Since then, it has been screened over 299 times across 29 countries. The film offers a glimpse into her world, showing her foraging for leftover food at a local market, where she asks vendors for scraps or finds useful items in discarded piles. Through it all, Schwermer shares her belief that, in the grand scheme of things, money is merely a tool—a key that opens certain doors, like the freedom to travel or live a particular lifestyle. What she needed was time to discover what truly mattered to her and what brought her authentic happiness. Over time, Schwermer realized that she didn’t need money to achieve the things she most desired in life.
