Mo' Money, mo' problems? One couple in Berlin, Germany thinks so! Raphael Fellmer, his wife, and child have lived without money for over two years!!! Two years! This is not because they cannot find work, but because they choose to. They believe that society can be better without money.
Fellmer decided to embark on this journey after college. He wanted to raise awareness for how wasteful our society can be. To spread his ideas, Fellmer and a group of friends travelled from Europe to Mexico without money! How'd they do it? They did small jobs for people and good deeds. They eventually got a ride on a sailboat in exchange for crew duties. On his trip, Fellmer met his wife and they quickly had their child.
Now the happy couple lives in Berlin money free. Fellmer says he's not lazy as many people claim. Instead he says, "I’m working 40 to 50 hours a week on projects for the good of society.”
The couple does small jobs for people - gardening, etc… in exchange for goods, food, and living space. Germany offers free universal healthcare so they have medical expenses covered. They managed to find a gynecologist while his wife, Nieves Palmer, was pregnant. The doctor assisted her in exchange for gardening work.
Fellmer calls this working together for goods and services "collaborative consumption".
“We have not only a surplus of food but of housing,” Fellmer says. “Everything we need is already there. We just need to make the connections.”
And that's what's good,
Jon
The Good World News
Can you imaging working at one employer your entire life and NEVER taking a sick day?! 44 years?!
Meet Deborah Ford, a U.S. Postal Service employee in Detroit who has delivered mail for 44 years straight. She has such genuine dedication to her work.
When asked if she has ever been sick, she says "Well little minor illnesses, but you shake it off. You'll feel better when you get there."
"Didn't you want to go to your mailbox and get a letter?", she continued, "When you go to that mailbox to get a letter, I want to make sure you get one."
Well said Deborah! She will retire with 4,508 hours in sick leave which will give her a 5% increase in pension.
We at Good World News wish you a wonderful retirement Deborah.
And that's what's good,
Jon
The Good World News
The superhero actress from the Fantastic 4, is now helping save the planet off the set with a new eco-friendly company called "The Honest Company".
"When I became a mom, I finally became the person I am, that I always should have been," Jessica Alba says. "It's the most satisfying job in the world. But, it can also be overwhelming and confusing. I created The Honest Company to help moms and to give all children a better, safer start."
Alba, like many parents, couldn't find the right products for their kids. She decided to take matters into her own hands and create a company dedicated to providing eco-friendly baby products. An example is the 100% non-toxic, chlorine-free, plant-based material (and thus biodegradable) diaper! Wow, that's awesome! Think about how many diapers babies go through. This is great. The company has since blossomed into other product lines.
Outside of her company, Jessica tries to instill the "green" mentality in her children as they grow up.
“First and foremost, we try to model and practice eco-friendly habits for the girls,” Jessica says. “Otherwise, we talk to them about being mindful and explain that things can be turned into something else one day.”
Her kids help in the garden so they “understand the steps to growing food (including patience!), how it ultimately lands on her plate, and about being a good steward of the planet.”
Keep up the great work Jessica!! We hope many others follow in your positive footsteps.
Peace & Love,
Jon
The Good World News