The Myth of "Everything Costs Money": Rediscovering the Free Essentials

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Introduction

Generalizations are easily proven wrong if we take them literally. When people use absolute words like "every" or "always," they usually miss the nuance of reality.

One of the most common, yet incorrect, arguments in modern society is the phrase: "Everything costs money."

Should we be more literal in our understanding, we realize this is simply not true. There are foundational human activities that require zero payment. In fact, the more you engage in them, the more money you save by avoiding the paid alternatives pushed by consumer culture.

The Trinity of Free Essentials

There are three main activities in life that, theoretically, anyone can do without investing a single cent:

1. Resting/Relaxation

   
   

2. Sleeping

   
   

3. Exercising

   
   

While the market tries to sell us "paid settings" for these activities—like gym memberships, yoga classes, or luxury mattresses—the acts themselves remain free.

1. Sleep and Rest: Money Cannot Buy Peace

Money can buy a bed, but it cannot buy sleep. You can sleep on the ground, on a bench, or in a sleeping bag for free. Conversely, you can buy the most expensive mattress in the world and still suffer from insomnia. The product does not guarantee the result.

Relaxation is similar. You do not need a spa day to relax.

• Deep breathing.

  
  

• Muscle relief techniques.

  
  

• Meditation.

  
  

• Simply doing nothing.

  
  

These are commonly free methods that require nothing but your time and self-discipline. While people with specific medical conditions may need medication to cope, for the vast majority, idly sitting or lying down is sufficient to reduce stress. In a hyper-active world, doing nothing has its own profound perks.

2. Exercise: Fitness is Free, Gyms are Not

As long as you are not completely paralyzed, you can maintain good physical shape without paying a dime to the massive fitness industry.

• Body Weight Exercises: Push-ups, sit-ups, squats.

  
  

• Cardio: Walking, jogging, running.

  
  

• Expression: Dancing within the confines of your home.

  
  

No one charges you for moving your body in a public park or your own living room. One does not need to be a bodybuilder to be healthy. Being "cheap" regarding fitness is wise when you can invest those resources elsewhere while still achieving your health goals.

3. The Ascetic Advantage: Prayer and Solitude

For the more spiritually inclined, there is a powerful bonus: Prayer is free.

In religions that practice monasticism or asceticism, prayer is often done in solitude, requiring no public institution, donation, or group participation. Religious hermits are a prime example of this self-reliance.

Even if you are simply a theist without a specific religion, coming up with your own prayers or mantras costs nothing. It combines spirituality with the calming effects of meditation, all for free.

Bonus: The Value of Free Advice

Another often-overlooked free resource is advice. Whether it is asking a stranger for directions, consulting a family member, or seeking help on an online forum for a video game or relationship trouble—wisdom is often shared freely. Anonymity can make this even easier. Having friends or a community is a form of wealth that does not require a transaction.

Conclusion: Financial Wisdom Through Simplicity

The more solitary and ascetically you live, the more you realize you can provide services to yourself.

Unless you are an infant or a wilderness hermit, you will inevitably spend some money to survive. However, by embracing these free essentials, you can pay as little as possible.

Being "cheap" is not a flaw; it is a strategy. By rejecting the consumerist urge to monetize every aspect of your life—from your sleep to your workout—you can watch your bank account slowly grow. You grant yourself better financial security because you have learned the ultimate truth: Not everything comes with a monetary price.