May 12, 2025
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Whether or not you still need to work outside the community after contributing 18 hours per week depends on a few key factors in your community’s structure:

🔹 1. Is Your Community Providing Your Basic Needs?

If the community covers:

  • Housing
  • Food
  • Utilities
  • Health care
  • Transportation
    Then your 18 hours of work may be sufficient to meet your needs, and you might not need outside income.

But if you’re:

  • Paying rent/mortgage
  • Buying your own groceries
  • Covering insurance, gas, etc.
    Then you may still need an outside job or income source.

🔹 2. What Are You Getting in Return for the 18 Hours?

Those hours could go toward:

  • Labor exchange (like free rent or food)
  • Shared savings (you reduce expenses)

But they don’t automatically mean you’re earning a livable income unless the community is structured to provide for your needs or pay you.

🔹 3. Does the Community Generate Income?

If the community runs a business (e.g. a food truck, farm, Airbnb tiny homes), it could:

  • Pay members in cash or stipends
  • Offer profit-sharing
  • Reduce costs so outside work is unnecessary

But if it’s still being built or not yet profitable, you may need outside work to supplement.

🔹 4. Your Personal Needs and Lifestyle

Even if the community provides basics, you might want income for:

  • Debt payments
  • Travel
  • Personal hobbies or healthcare
  • Supporting family

So the answer varies based on what the 18 hours are worth, and what you expect in return.

✅ Summary:

No, you don’t have to work outside the community if your needs are fully met through your 18 hours of contribution—but in most early-stage or hybrid models, people still need some outside income, at least temporarily.