This question may seem stupid. We’ve all heard the saying that nothing is ever free, but can you actually ever take advantage of those ‘freebies’ on the TV or in stores? What I mean is, are they all scams or are some really just free? I know from experience that a lot of those “buy this product and you’ll get a second one for free” really are just overpaying for the first, and it breaks quickly so you have to get a second one to help damage control. But sometimes you see products that say try me free for blank blank amount of time. Is there a catch?

Reading Between the Lines For Freebies

Here is my advice, as an experienced person looking for a good deal: read the small print! There are lots of freebies out there, you just need to make sure you read the little words at the bottom of the page or TV screen so you know how long it is free for. Because it is true what they say, nothing in life is free. Even if you break into a banquet that you aren’t a guest at and eat some of the buffet food, you still had to get downtown, buy the clothes you were wearing that made it so you didn’t stick out like a sore thumb, etc. But there are some things that you can get without shelling out cash that very second. I recommend looking for these freebies, they exist, and there are lots of them. Because, let’s be honest here, this is a consumer’s market. We need to be wooed! We need to be charmed and enticed, and nothing brings in more people than a great freebie.

Freebies Abound When You Look Around!

Nice little rhyme, but it’s true! Walking down the street I am harassed constantly by credit cards asking me to sign up and receive a free pizza. Free pizza? Really? Well, that sounds pretty good….But then you have to deal with all the mail coming in and canceling the card. So there is a give and take. You can’t take too much without expecting to give a little back. How about those free address labels you get in the mail. Those are great, I love them, I use them, they were free, they have my name and address on them, and usually some cute little logo. But, what usually accompanies them are brochures about the Arbor Day Foundation or a Hospital, and really, how can I say no? They sent me these great labels, and they are just looking for any kind of donation. I usually bring out my checkbook for those and end up paying like $20 for envelope labels, oh well, it goes to a good cause right? So I pick my battles, and choose which freebies are worth it. Karma comes around to those who take and take. You have to give back at some point. Freebie or not, I will always be on the look out for a great deal, and being a consumer in today’s market, it means that they are everywhere!