Daniel Suelo has lived without money for 15 years, leaving all his savings behind to embrace a life in nature.
Daniel Suelo is an American who made the bold decision to abandon his conventional life and live in the wilderness without money for 15 years.
In 2000, he left all of his savings in a phone booth, choosing to step away from a lifestyle driven by money.
This choice wasn’t easy, but Daniel found that living without money gave him a profound sense of freedom.
Man lives without money for 15 years after leaving all life savings to live among nature
During the early years, he lived in caves in Utah, where he foraged for wild plants, scavenged roadkill, and even dumpster-dived for leftover food.
Despite facing numerous challenges, he took pride in not using food stamps or accepting government assistance.
Daniel’s journey toward a moneyless lifestyle began in his childhood.
Raised in an Evangelical Christian family, he frequently questioned why followers of Jesus didn’t practice his teachings.
Specifically, he wondered about the idea of giving up possessions and living without expecting rewards.
After completing college, he explored various religions and found that many major faiths advocate relinquishing material possessions.
He recalled how his father frequently took him camping, which deepened his connection to nature.
Daniel observed nature’s balance, realizing it operated without money. This led him to wonder, “Why can’t we live this way?”
As he matured, Daniel’s thoughts about living without money became clearer.
He reflected on the world’s economy and politics, questioning their effectiveness.
His desire for authenticity also motivated him; he believed that true actions come from the heart, unlike those driven by ulterior motives.
Daniel stated, “Money only exists if two or more people believe it exists.”
He indicated his view that society constructs the concept of money.
Now, 24 years after his initial decision, his life has taken a different turn.
“My next impetus for living moneyless was to find authenticity for myself.
To do it out of one’s heart is to be real. To do for somebody, expecting something from them is ulterior motivation, which is to not be real, which is to prostitute oneself,” he stated.
He shared on his YouTube channel that he paused his moneyless lifestyle to care for his aging parents.
Although his father passed away in 2016, he continues to support his mother while managing her finances and dealing with bureaucratic tasks.
Despite these responsibilities, he remains committed to his principles.
He refuses to use money for himself, except when necessary.
He added: “With a few exceptions, I still don’t take or use money for myself.
But I did have to get a state ID, I manage my mom’s finances, I pay her bills, and I shop for her, dealing with general bureaucracy.
I don’t have a driver’s license, though I’ve been offered the gift of a car several times but have refused it.”