The following is a guest post by Brooke McAlary of Slow Your Home.
“Bottom line is, if you do not use it or need it, it’s clutter, and it needs to go.” —Charisse Ward
When was the last time you were given something for free?
It may have been a gift with purchase, a deal sweetener, or an added bonus at no extra charge. You may not even be aware of it, but I can almost guarantee you’ve received at least one free item in the past 12 months. I know I have.
And aside from adding to our collection of Things We Didn’t Want or Need, what is the purpose of these freebies? They are designed to get us to buy.
More specifically, these giveaways are designed to rope us in to buying something we may or may not need, just so we can score a free doodad that we definitely do not need. They are designed to make us feel as though we’ve come out winning.
How often do you gratefully accept these freebies, only to toss them out months later because, strangely enough, it wasn’t what you were buying in the first place and, shockingly, you have no use for it?
Me too.
Recently I decluttered my bathroom cabinet. In there sat my well-used travel toiletries bag. Next to it were two brand new toiletry bags I’d been given as promotional offers. For free. Of course.
Needless to say, they were added to a box bound for the charity shop, but they left behind a sinking feeling. Donating these items and ridding myself of their burden will not help anything if I keep accepting the freebies.
Maybe you’ve seen these free offers before. Maybe you even have a few of them floating around your home. Maybe even more than a few:
- Beer glasses
- Key rings
- Pens
- Drink bottles
- T-shirts
- Hats
- Tote bags
You’ve probably been handed these free items at the checkout, or when redeeming a coupon. You may even use these items regularly.
So, what’s the harm?
The truth is, these items are not free.
There are, of course, the resources used in their production, money spent on the marketing campaigns and wages to pay those who sell the actual products you’re buying.
But there is also a major cost to you.
Sure, you paid no (extra) money for it and you may even make use of it. But did you need it in the first place? Was it necessary? Or is it simply contributing to the clutter that stresses you out?
At some point you will have to pick it up and decide where to store it or how to rid yourself of it. And to be honest, I think your time is more important than that. Your well-being is more important than that.
The status quo will not change and marketing campaigns will continue to include these freebies, unless we start sending the message that, “No, we don’t want this.”
So next time you’re offered something for free, try saying no. See how it feels.
That’s what I did recently when I was buying some make up, and the result was… interesting.
Shop Assistant: “And you get a really nice tote bag for free.”
Me: “Oh, no thanks. I don’t need another bag.”
Shop Assistant: “But…it’s free.”
Me: “Oh, I know. But I don’t need it. Thanks though.”
Shop Assistant: “But… it doesn’t cost you anything. I can give it to you right now. You could give it to someone for a gift. It’s actually really nice. And it’s free.”
Me: “Uh, no, thanks.”
Me: “Can I have my make-up now?”
Now, as I’m two years into my simple living journey, I have cleared out, decluttered, de-owned, sorted, donated, and thrown away thousands of items. And looking back, I find myself wishing I’d said no a heck of a lot more.
What are your thoughts on accepting freebies?
***
Brooke McAlary is the founder of Slow Your Home.
Image: Vincepal
Anonymous says
Delete
Chris says
It can be an unconscious act to give people something they don’t want. It is terrifying me to know how many younger and older people victims are of the selling of imaginary marketing videos and gadgets tools, saying it can make you happy. NO. Having more isn’t healthy to you or those around you. I unsubscribed sites and I keep receiving those I haven’t made a wish to subscribe. Unsubscribing doesn’t make any difference. I don’t want to pay for what they sell, and don’t want to receive their marketing ads either. Is there anyone who has this problem?
Janet says
And then there is all the “free” stuff from the mailed nonprofits who want you to donate. I refuse to donate to those who use donated money to send “ free” gifts.
Judy says
So true!! I gave away a lot of that stuff on my Buy Nothing group and I am very conscious of not bringing anything I don’t want into my house.
Ann says
I have stuff I haven’t used in YEARS! Having that 1 month rule is great if you can adhere to it.
Laura says
I went through this at McDonalds, of all places, years ago. All I wanted was an egg muffin and coffee but they were having a 2 for 1 deal. The conversation went a little like this:
Cashier: Do you want two for the price of one?
Me: No thank you.
Cashier: But you get a second one at no extra cost.
Me: But I only want one.
Cashier: But you get two.
Me: If you give me two, I’m going to immediately throw it out. I’m only going to eat one.
He finally, begrudgingly, did what I asked but the whole time I was thinking, this is my health we’re talking about. If I only want the calorie content of one egg muffin, why are you foisting a second on me? If I think the one muffin has the value I am choosing to pay for it, then let me just pay for my one and leave!
Downsizing grandma says
In one year I will be downsizing from an 850 sq. ft. house to a 11’6″ by 14′ room and a tiny bath. All my kitchen items will have to go as I will be sharing a kitchen. Furniture, linens, all the supplies one needs when running a household will have to be relinquished. So I will be boxing up things and donating them. Household cleaning supplies will be added to the established household inventory. As someone who loved domestic chores I know this will be hard but I will be grateful that people who love me want me in their lives and present, so the stuff I need to dispose of is just that – stuff. Stuff will never take the place of real people, with their love and presence.
Meg Steele says
You are very blessed, downsizing grandma.