Remember the couple we
told you about (here) who are attempting to live solely on bitcoins for the
first three months of their married life? Well, Austin and Beccy Craig are now
two weeks into their life on bitcoin experiment and we thought it was a good
time to check in and see how it is all going. This is what we discovered...
The couple from Provo,
Utah have been documenting their bitcoin endeavours on their website and
faceboook page and are hoping to turn the whole adventure into a documentary.
So how are they coping so far and has the experiment changed the way they think about bitcoin?
Q. So, nearly two weeks into living on bitcoin, can
you sum up in one sentence, the experience so far?
- We both knew "Life on Bitcoin"
would be challenging, but we've been surprised at the ways it
has challenged us.
Q. What has been the most difficult item/service to
buy with bitcoin?
- So far, my efforts have been focused on finding a data plan for my cell
phone. I'm sure there are other things that are just as difficult to buy on
bitcoin, but the cell phone is critical. Kashmir Hill, the Forbes reporter who
lived on bitcoin for a week in San Francisco, said "it would have been
near impossible without [her] data plan". Without a cell phone, or without
a digital interface, it's impossible to demonstrate the digital currency we're
using. It also makes coordinating with Beccy, the film crew, and the local
businesses I'm meeting with a nightmare. Once the cell phone is in place, I'm
hoping things will become a little more manageable.
Q. Is there anything critically important yet to buy?
- The aforementioned cell phone, and auto insurance. We legally have to
have insurance. We've found one agency that will accept bitcoin, but we're
trying to find someplace that won't break the bank. Still shopping around.
Q. What have you found to be the easiest thing to
purchase with bitcoin?
- Oddly enough, food. We're not starving. La Nay Ferme is a local farm that
contacted us before we even got started, and we're picking up produce from them
every week. Local restaurants have been receptive, because many of them already
have a smart device at the point of sale, plus in restaurant wi-fi. We thought
we might starve, but I'm pretty sure I've gained weight.
Q. What has been the most surprising thing that you
have found to be able to buy?
- There are several companies offering gift cards that are usable almost
anywhere, so if you're willing to use a go-between, you can buy from virtually
any major store or chain. We were also surprised to see that Etsy offers
payment options to their vendors to accept bitcoin. That's a site we've known
and loved for years, and it's great that their opening up options for
the merchants who sell there.
Q. How has trying to live off bitcoin changed the way
you live over the past two weeks?
- Compared to before we started, I find myself much more
tired at the end of every day. Trying to persuade businesses to accept bitcoin
is a lot like sales jobs I've had. There is a lot of emailing, calling, talking
to store associates, and trying to find the decision maker and plead the case
for bitcoin. And it isn't over when we go home, so in that sense, we don't get
any breaks. But maybe I'm tired because I just need to exercise more.
Q. What has the funniest reaction been so far when you
have asked if you can pay with bitcoin?
- On our first day, when we were coming back from our honeymoon, we
borrowed a phone from somebody on the train to called cab companies for a ride
home from the train station. Most just said we can't accept
whatever-it-is-you're-talking-about, but one person began to point out what
poor decisions I'd made. "You've just come back to the United States, and
you don't have any cash? Why didn't you bring any cash? You're not using a
credit or debit card? That wasn't very smart, was it? Wouldn't this be easier
for you if you used a card? Digital currency is fine for the Internet, but
you're in the real world." It was like talking with an uncle who wants to
give advice to a confused kid.
Q. In general, how have people responded to your pleas
to take bitcoin?
- In general, people are referencing whatever scant information they have
about bitcoin, and they listen with a healthy level of skepticism. But we've
found that new business owners are generally more ready to
make changes, rather than the business that's been around for decades and have
no interest in changing.
Q. What have you discovered about the bitcoin
community during this adventure so far?
- It's a fantastic group to be a part of. They're extremely supportive,
smart, and they keep us focused. Feedback on what we should or shouldn't be
trying is helpful, and they almost always respond well to communication from
us.
Q. How did family/friends react to your challenge and
how much are you relying on them during this time?
- We're trying to not rely on them at all, but that's been
one of the unexpected challenges. It's been hard to try to turn away the
kind gestures of from people who care about us. We live in a tight knit
religious community. Beccy and I have lived here for years, and both have a lot
of friends and family here. A few days ago we caught Beccy's parents
trying to stock our fridge with groceries while they thought we
were gone. We made them promise not to try that anymore, but it's been a funny
problem to have, trying to turn away my family, her family, and our friends,
who all really want to help.
Q. You must be having to do a lot of research,
travelling and meeting people, what is the most random/funny/interesting mini adventure
you have had over the past two weeks?
- Filling up with gas has been the most interesting adventure so far. My
truck was getting lower on gas, and so was Beccy's car, but we had enough gas
to drive to the Phillips 66 west of Salt Lake International, an hour from where
we live in Provo. An employee there, Furb, agreed to help us buy gas at
the station. It's at an industrial park way off the
beaten path. There weren't many street lights, and we said (only half kidding)
that we were going to get mugged. When we found it, we chatted with Furb for a
long time about his use and involvement with bitcoin. Great guy, and very
representative of what we've seen in the bitcoin community. We filled up the
tank on my truck and two extra gas cans, got a much needed car wash, and
grabbed as many snacks and grocery items as we could. We weren't sure it was a
good idea at first, but it ended up being really fun, and hopefully we'll be
back to talk to Furb again soon.
Q. Getting married and then putting yourself under
financial strain would be difficult in any relationship - how are you coping
and getting on as a couple?
- As a couple, we're great. Beccy is the most supportive woman in the
world, and it helps that she's witty and fearless and fun too. I think our individual
backgrounds help as well. She's been a small business owner for years, and I've
worked in technology, entrepreneurship and marketing for a long time. We're
both comfortable with changes and challenges. We wouldn't have gotten into this
project if we thought it was a threat to our marriage. We know each other well
enough, and have a strong enough relationship, that this won't hurt us. If
anything, the hope is that the challenges we face will bring us closer
together.
Q. What are you discovering about yourselves
throughout this experiment?
- I'm discovering that I'm not the salesman or techie that I wish I was
(both qualities that help a lot).
Q. From what you already knew and your experiences now, do you think bitcoin has a viable future as a successful, global currency?
- I was optimistic about bitcoin from the onset, and I still am. If you looked at the Internet in the early 90s, it would look a lot like bitcoin. The users are technically capable and sometimes culturally fringe. They see the inherent potential of a new technology, a fundamentally different architecture, even if it's years or decades away. We're not even 3 weeks in to Life on Bitcoin, but we've been contacted by bitcoin enthusiasts in South America, Australia, Europe, Asia, and we're planning to contact the active bitcoin community in Africa soon. I'm very bullish on crypto-currency.
Q. Finally, you are putting bitcoin through its paces
here, is it standing up to the test?
- The technology is robust, secure, and totally stands the
test. The infrastructure around bitcoin has a long way to go.
Thanks to Austin for taking time out from hunting for bitcoin data plans to talk to us and good luck for the rest of the ride!
By Louise @ Bitscan
