Working for free? Why? Er… why not?

In these difficult economic times, money is short, so why not work for free? writes Paul Whitelock. It could be an answer for people struggling to make ends meet. Paul has been working for free on and off for fifteen years and loves it. Is he nuts? Read on and see what you think…

Ever thought of working for free? Lots of people do. They give their services voluntarily, for example as counsellors for the Samaritans, as advisers for the Citizen’s Advice Bureaux, helping out at hospitals, charity shops, and in a range of other organisations.

Such volunteers provide a valuable service and are fortunate that they have sufficient private means, such as a pension, to enable them to do so. But, what about those of us who cannot afford to give of our services for nothing? Do we really need to be paid money for our work?

After all, if we are paid, we have to give some of it to the government in the form of income tax and other stoppages. So, why not work for payment in kind? This can end up being quite valuable and also great fun.

Since I retired in 2005, I have pretty much only worked ‘for nothing’. First of all I renovated a house in Ronda for an English lady in return for free board and lodging and other treats.

I repeated the exercise in summer 2008 for a friend from my student days who lives in Luxembourg. A month decorating a large house from top to bottom was rewarded by board and lodging, slap-up meals out, trips to the opera, concerts and a summer romance! I regularly did odd jobs for an American lady who lives in Ronda. In return she kept an eye on my apartment, when I was away, checked my post and welcomed visitors on my behalf.

Other unpaid but well-rewarded work has included translating restaurant menus, one in exchange for a patio table and four chairs (I needed the furniture; he didn’t!). The other menus were done in exchange for slap-up meals for two. I have also written articles for a newspaper in exchange for free advertising space.

Before I emigrated I spent a half-day doing odd jobs for a lady paid for by a nice meal out and did some remedial work in a kitchen in exchange for a rather fine coffee table.

Once I taught two classes of Spanish to expatriates in Ronda in exchange for ….. whoops! I only got a free cup of coffee?! Oh, well, I enjoyed it (the teaching AND the coffee), so no pasa nada.

From time to time I’ve helped friends out with a bit of interpreting, eg phone calls, or tricky meetings. That often brings a free breakfast. Lately I’ve translated two different restaurant menus for free. In one place I’ve not paid for a beer since! I’ve only just submitted the second menu translation and await with bated breath the outcome.

Working for free? It makes a lot of sense, especially in a recession or post-COVID-19 lockdown. However, if people want to pay me instead, that’s OK too!