Free Money Day: Simple, Joyful Ways to Challenge the Status Quo
A recap and reflections on 2023’s global event.
By Emma River-Roberts & Priscilla Trinh
Free Money Day (FMD) 2023 marked the 13th anniversary of global celebrations centered on sharing and post-growth visions. This simple, but intriguing, annual social experiment has led to countless conversations around our relationship to the economy and what steps we can collectively take to shape a different one rooted in care.
This year, the PGI also launched a partnership with the Nano Foundation, a feeless digital currency platform with an exciting WeNano app to map locations globally where people are donating and sharing money. It was remarkable to witness the Nano community transfer money around the world, logging 95 different locations with over 27,000 transactions in 24 hours! Read more on the ways Free Money Day rippled through the digital currency world.
Meanwhile, on the ground, Free Money Day attracted attention in all kinds of places — from universities in the United States (e.g. Norwich University) to bakeries in Nigeria.
Of his experience in Argentina’s public spaces, FMD co-founder and PGI Executive Director Donnie Maclurcan, said: “I was super interested to see what it would be like to hand out money to strangers in Argentina this year, given inflation here is running over 130%. I was cautioned that it might be dangerous (especially as my planned event was late at night), or that no one would believe there wasn’t a catch. But, just as I’ve discovered doing Free Money Day elsewhere in the world, with a warm genuine approach most people get the concept and love to celebrate in the joy it brings! And what was really amazing was to see the speed with which younger people, including children, felt the idea behind it all, immediately looking to pass half on to someone else.”
Meanwhile, PGI team member, Alex Pielaet, gathered friends to celebrate FMD at a train station in the Netherlands. After his second year of celebrating, Alex said: “Wow! What an inspiring day full of interesting conversations related to money, giving, the monetary system, and economy. Plus receiving the odd slice of pizza as well!”
The beauty of Free Money Day is its adaptability.
While the core idea involves giving away money, participants have found creative ways to spread kindness. This year some people baked cookies to give away to friends, others offered music to passers-by — hugs have even been given out! This diversity of approaches showcases the inherent creativity and compassion that underpins this social experiment, and reminding us of the creativity of last year’s events.
What’s most striking about the day is the genuine joy and surprise on people’s faces from the simple act of sharing. In a world often driven by self-interest and economic disparity, Free Money Day is a breath of fresh air, reminding us of the inherent goodness that exists within humanity. It is also a powerful platform for dialogue and reflection. It prompts essential conversations about our relationship with money, materialism, and the societal pressures that often drive us to hoard wealth.
As Anika, a Free Money Day participant based in Scotland, said: “The importance of kindness and sharing lies not only in the act itself but in the ripples of compassion it sends through the world, creating connections through each and every act.”
Inspired? Here are some ideas for what you can do next:
As the world navigates and deepens into crisis response, it is important to remember that there are are daily ways we can spread generosity, spur cultural change, and accelerate communities towards futures beyond capitalism:
- Share or republish articles from our blog, Post Growth Perspectives. Take a peek into how diverse groups worldwide are contributing to a wellbeing economy and implementing models of change.
- Start thinking about Free Money Day 2024 and ways to involve your friends, family, colleagues, workplace, community, etc.! Here is a handy one-pager with useful context and instructions on ways to participate.
- Follow Free Money Day on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
- Remember that giving and mutual aid does not have to be monetary: a listening ear, volunteering, food, used clothing, childcare, a car ride, seed sharing, a song — big or small, acts of kindness can humanize our world.
- Consider creating a Facebook Fundraiser on your birthday for the Post Growth Institute. Donations made in the US are tax deductible.
