Comments on: When “Free” Things Aren’t Free: Beware the Hidden and Indirect Costs

By: matt

matt — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 10:27:22 +0000

this blog is really good

By: 107 Things That Make Good Financial Cents | Good Financial Cents -Jeff Rose Certified Financial Planner and Investment Advisor, Carbondale, Illinois

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:39:05 +0000

[...] “Free” Things Aren’t Free: Beware of the Hidden and Indirect Costs. Not all free things are by definition “free” if they cost you in other ways. Be sure to read the fine print and understand what you are getting [...]

By: Link roundup from my loyal readers | Tomasz Gorecki | Debt In Your 20's Is The Kiss of Death

Fri, 08 May 2009 04:41:55 +0000

[...] When free things aren’t really free [...]

By: I’m back with an announcement! | Frugal Living Tips & Money Saving Ideas | Living Well on Less

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:18:01 +0000

[...] at Pecuniarities warns you to beware the hidden and indirect costs of “free” things. I try not to go too far out of my way to obtain “free” items, otherwise it stops being [...]

By: Counting My Pennies » Saturday Link Roundup

Counting My Pennies » Saturday Link Roundup — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 10:06:34 +0000

[...] When “Free” Things Aren’t Free: Beware the Hidden and Indirect Costs [...]

By: Tammy Brackett

Tammy Brackett — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:38:55 +0000

I recently received a “free” $10 gift card from a local restaurant. Upon close inspection, “free” was $10 off a $25 meal. Since $25 is basically what I spend on groceries per week (we are a couple) I promptly threw it in the recycle bin ( it was plastic). Bad thing is, I couldn’t even pass it to someone who may want to use it because it was personalized. I’d never been to this restaurant so I have no idea how my name appeared on a list.
The only great freebies I’ve found are at my local Kroger. They ship coupons to me for free items (coffee, cake mix) that I routinely buy. Now THAT is a freebie I can live with!
Love these posts and am really enjoying this blog!

By: Adam @ Checkbook Diaries

Adam @ Checkbook Diaries — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:05:36 +0000

We adopted a puppy for “free”. Shortly thereafter we realized that he had hip dysplasia and would require thousands of dollars worth of surgery. When we reviewed the records from his previous vet, there was no mention of the ailment, so it’s not like we were just given a dog with an issue either. You should always expect the unexpected costs that MAY be associated with freebies.

By: Penelope Pince

Penelope Pince — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:07:13 +0000

@ Brenda I'm not saying that one should never, ever spend money on a meal out or should be making money 24/7, but just pointing out that what is often assumed to be by definition "free" - "costing nothing" - isn't always the case. I am merely pointing out the facts; you offer the "glass is half full" analysis for when one chooses or wants to spend. Update 3/27/09: Follow-up post: Why I Will Not Change My Mindset, Plus the Difference Between Justifying and Being Optimistic About Spending

By: Brenda

Brenda — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:19:16 +0000

You need to change your mindset.
1.You could have scheduled errands in the area to save gas.
2.Do you never buy a drink? See #4.
3.Consider it a date/alone time with a family member.
4.Instead of thinking “free”, think “breakfast only cost a tip”.
5. Assuming, a phone call to Quizno would have given you the answer.
6. Everyone deserves time off from making money.

By: Joe in VA

Joe in VA — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:23:59 +0000

Amen.. notice my email address

TANSTAAFL
“There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch”

By: Weekly Roundup: Frugal Home Office Edition | Frugal Dad

Weekly Roundup: Frugal Home Office Edition | Frugal Dad — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:01:53 +0000

[...] When “Free” Things Aren’t Free: Beware the Hidden and Indirect Costs. Let’s face it; nothing is really 100% free in this world. There is inevitably some exchange for “free” goods and service, whether it be time or even future dollars. [...]

By: Moments of Fame « Funny about Money

Moments of Fame « Funny about Money — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:49:04 +0000

[...] “Frugality, Savings, and the Causes of Doom” made the 170th Festival of Frugality, which is live at MoneyNing. Speaking of pets, as we were above, Green Panda Treehouse, confronted with a sick cat, suggests a few ways to save on pet care. Off the Book of Phillip Sparrow¹ topic, Family Balance sheet reflects on a much weightier matter: how she and her husband are handling a sharp business slowdown. And over at Pecuniarities, Penelope Pince makes the shrewd observation that not all “free” offers really cost nothing. [...]

By: Bill McCollam

Bill McCollam — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:39:09 +0000

Ahh… the power of Free. Thanks for pointing out that it ain’t always so. Maybe a good followup article would be a listing of typically good value ‘freebies’ – ie ones that don’t have catches. I recently posted about Chris Anderson’s soon to be released book on Free. See http://www.mccollam.com/jakeblog/2009/02/free-at-last-free-at-last/

By: Ann Reilly

Ann Reilly — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 22:15:33 +0000

so true! I went to Walmart the other day and had to pay .40 as tissues weren’t free as coupon was for a dollar and they were 1.39 plus the tax gets you too like for soda…I got the flat wrigley’s gum free though. My eco-canteen was not really free as I ahd to write a nice review on the stainless seel biotle but is ok as i like it and will use it rather than plastic ones and save at store from buying drink and using either drink from frig. when i travel or water from the tap as tastes good and cold too!

By: Do You Dave Ramsey?

Do You Dave Ramsey? — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:46:28 +0000

Shirley Q. Liquer said it best…

“99 cent is not a bargain if I don’t have 99 cent”

The call of FREE is at times a tempting sirene song but rarely is it the nothing it’s trumped up to be.

Thanks for sharing!
Dave

By: Corey Charette

Corey Charette — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:16:48 +0000

The old saying, “You can’t get something for nothing” is still very true today.

I’m always leary when something says FREE on it. Always looking for the fine print to see what the ‘catch’ is.

By: Megan

Megan — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:16:14 +0000

Great post! It’s so true. I live close to a lot of these promotions, but for me, the kicker is the waiting in line. Plus it seems like these promos are always for food and food that’s not good for you. Come on, where are my free fruit salads? I live within walking distance of a Ben & Jerry’s, for example, but I have never even considered going to Free Cone Day. Not worth my time. Even if I just use that time to relax, to me, that’s worth more than a tiny free ice cream cone.