Daniele's journey unfolds in Cervaro, a small Italian village, where he decided to embrace a minimalist lifestyle. Like many, he used to spend long hours at a job that barely covered his expenses and let him buy things he didn’t really need. Tired of chasing a consumer-driven idea of happiness, Daniele began to question what he truly wanted out of life.

Within a few months, he made a radical decision: to quit his job and move to the countryside, where he could live on less and gain more time for himself. His goal? To live on just €50 a month. What started as a personal experiment turned into a journey of freedom from economic and social pressures.

The decision to change his life

Daniele’s change began with a deep realisation: he no longer wanted to sell his time to support a consumerist system that didn’t represent him, feeling trapped in the “work-to-survive” cycle:

I wanted to find a way to be freer and focus on what I’m truly passionate about, without the constant pressure of having to earn just to sustain a lifestyle that didn’t even feel like mine.

Choosing to live on less became an act of rebellion—a challenge to himself, but also an opportunity to rediscover his real needs and desires. His journey towards financial awareness turned into a rediscovery of what truly mattered: time, nature, and freedom.

While the decision was instant, turning it into reality became a long journey of growth and discovery. After ten years of commitment and determination, Daniele now lives in full self-sufficiency on just €50 a month.

The opportunity to reinvent himself

This choice opened up new opportunities for Daniele, pushing him to develop skills and creative solutions for embracing a sustainable lifestyle. He started with a small vegetable garden, which soon became his personal supermarket, giving him access to fresh vegetables year-round for simple, nutritious meals.

Daniele also learned to repair and recycle everyday items, discovering that self-sufficiency, which initially seemed a daunting challenge, became one of the most rewarding experiences of his journey. These activities not only saved him a lot of money, but also rekindled his joy in creating and repurposing. Everything became part of a virtuous cycle of reuse, where every resource found a new purpose and value.

Furthermore, Daniele devotes himself passionately to crafts and to tending 600 olive trees, which he cares for personally as part of his vision for a sustainable life.

Minimalism: owning less to do more

Minimalism isn’t just about saving money; it’s a whole lifestyle that invites us to let go of the excess and make space—physically and mentally—for what brings us joy and fulfillment. More and more people are embracing minimalism to find a life rich with meaning and less stress. The benefits? Fewer distractions, greater self-awareness, and the freedom that comes from having control over your choices.

For Daniele, minimalism meant discovering freedom: being able to dedicate his time to what he loves, rather than to an imposed routine. Owning less has allowed him to do more, without having to work endless hours to buy things he doesn’t actually miss.

Now, his days are filled with simple but meaningful activities: crafting handmade items, meditating, reading, and taking long walks outdoors. He lives with a direct connection to nature, feeling more at peace with himself and in harmony with the world around him.

The challenge of living against the current

Of course, living on €50 a month comes with challenges. Daniele often encounters prejudice and criticism from those who don’t understand his choice. In a society that values material accumulation, anyone making radical lifestyle choices can be met with scepticism.

Though difficult at first, Daniele has learned to turn criticism into motivation to share his message. To those who judge him, he always replies that

true wealth isn’t in material possessions, but in the freedom to live by your own values.

Daniele’s goal is to show that happiness and personal fulfillment aren’t about what we own, but how we choose to live our time. His story continues to inspire everyone he meets. In moments of doubt, he always returns to his original motivation, reminding himself of the priceless freedom to live according to his own pace and priorities.

In conclusion

Living self-sufficiently on just €50 a month might seem extreme, yet Daniele’s experience shows that, through minimalism, it’s possible to find freedom and personal fulfillment in simplicity. His story invites us to rethink our priorities and ask ourselves if we really need everything we own to be happy. Like Daniele, we might discover that true wealth lies in a deeper connection with nature and in the freedom to be ourselves, rediscovering the most precious asset we have: our time.