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?
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Brooke McAlary is the founder of Slow Your Home.
Image: Vincepal
Sabrina Q. says
When my kids were young, they would receive lots of free small gifts from everywhere. As they started school, we decided to go through those bins that held them and clear them out. It opened up so much space in my kids small rooms. The key is going through and clearing out regularly. It’s not necessary to go through everything at one time. Creating a plan and pacing yourself will help keep you from feeling overwhelmed. Get rid of those small things is a great first project to start downsizing. Great post, thanks for sharing.
Sheri says
This not only applies to taking free things home from promotional offer, but from family and friends. My husband I both have parents who load us up on stuff that they can’t bear to throw away or donate everytime we visit. My own father has made me take home truck loads of items from the basement. I had to stop at a dumpster and unload before making the 14 hour trip back home. Please people, for goodness sake, stop trying to unload your unwanted stuff on family and friends!!!
Aussie Dreamer says
I absolutely have to agree! To the point when I had to fly overseas to visit my parents in my Homeland Country; Australia to visit my mum who had Cancer with only months to live. She filled my suitcases up with her clothes, shoes and costum jewelry. All of which I didn’t need but given she wanted to clear out her wardrobe to avoid my dad having to undertake that task in a few months time. So I reluctantly agreed and accepted all of these unwanted / unneeded items! Only to push me into the Over Weight Luggage Fees B4 boarding the train to visit another family member! So I offloaded a heavy pair of shoes ( left them next to a trash can and said to attendant; I hope a Homeless person finds these :) which brought my luggage to a correct weight.
I’m sure a Charity Shop would have appreciated all of these items more! But thought it was the least I could do to please her at this last visit. To my surprise; upon my arrival these shoes were tied to my luggage by their shoelaces. I guess I had a kind Staff attendant:) ? However, upon arriving at my next family members home; I pulled everything out and let her choose any items B4 we drove the rest to the Charity Shop with the exception of 1 top and that pair of shoes. To which I never wore either yet it occupied my closset space for over 3 years until I donated them too! Imagine if I’d kept it all and then added to my other travel purchases; I’d have been digging deep in overweight luggage fees. So I’m glad I offloaded these items that filled a empty suitcase meant for my vacation purchases.
Following another recent overseas move; I took advantage of joining the Serious minimalistic club :). Within 1 month I’d Sold off everything I didn’t need or feel an attachment to and it had many positive results. Not only did these sales increase my Bank Account by £3,000.00, it reduced my relocation bill by £5,000.00, I’m now living surrounded by items which gives me a lot of pleasure :). I must admit; There was 2 items I regretted selling, 1 of which the buyer was happy to sell back to me at same price I sold it to him for and the other item my daughter will buy to gift me for my Birthday :). So I’d suggest you only part with items not bringing you positive feelings! The rest can go unless it’s filling a must have need in home! If you haven’t looked at it, used or worn it within 6 – 12 months then it’s unlikely you’ll miss it if it was gone! Another thing I now undertake since joining this minimalistic club is;
I only permit myself to bring into the house items if I can discard / take that same amount of item out of the house! Same goes for my clothing wardrobe. That way I don’t return to a house of stuff again. Live with only what you love is my new moto I’m now living and Boy does it feel and look great! Less is Best. You can’t miss what you can’t see; Try it; Who knows, you might actually learn to like it like me :)
Ruth R says
It’s a good point but putting the stuff in the landfill isn’t the answer. Gets it out of your immediate vicinity but it’s still yours, its just rotting now over there in the dump.
lindy says
We can only go forward though. When you donate, much goes to the landfill anyway. But we can go from here and think before we acquire things.????
Sarah says
I totally agree with what you are saying. Though if i can do good with the freebies I do do it. E.g. I once ordered free dog treats & food to give as gifts for my clients pets (I work as a pet-sitter) of course I didn’t give them to them as I forgot.. the thing is it was probably good that I forgot because in the end I donated them to dog/cat rescue centre’s and probably did more help for those in need.
If the freebie is suitable and useful for charities in need or would be good for a needy friend then take them for them. They also are good to make free gifts for xmas presents e.g collecting free beauty things to make beauty boxes for my younger sister.
If its free its okay to take so longer as the reciever truly needs it or saves you cash creating a gift you know the person wants/like.
Other than that dont take freebies “just cause”, its greed and cluttering your life.
Senta says
I accept the free items with gratitude and add them to my charity box. But I am also very careful to not buy something to get a free item. That technique used to work for me but I am getting stronger at resisting that temptation.
K Joe says
Can you give the source of this Charisse Ward quote? Quick search is just turning up a lot of reposts of it. Is it from a book? It sounds a lot like “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” by William Morris. I think Peter Walsh wrote a similar thought, saying if you don’t love it, use it, or give it a place of honor, throw it out (my paraphrasing, sorry I don’t have an exact quote).
Anna says
Free is so seductive.
Connie says
Thanks for the encouraging words this morning. I donated 4 boxes of clothing last week but felt odd donating the free t-shirt I received with my company logo on it. I’ve only worn it once and hated the fit. Today I’m going to take it to the staff office and leave it there with a “free” sign on it. I know someone else will want it :)
MorticiA says
I accept free things if I know I can pass them on to a good cause, or if I know I will use them. I know they need trial sized shampoos and soaps, hygiene items, cosmetics bags etc. at our local women’s shelter, as these women and children often leave their homes with absolutely nothing, and not because they want to be minimalists! We have a special bag/box set aside for this specific purpose, so it never ends up cluttering our home and it goes to a good cause. They are also happy for gift cards for coffee shops, and so when we receive gift cards we often cash them in for smaller denomination gift cards so that more families can benefit, and drop those off as well.
Di Andrews says
At an airshow recently I was volunteering for a company that was giving away free earplugs (to help protect people’s hearing during the very loud air displays). It was really interesting to see those that wanted as many as possible because they were free (think ‘stuffing pockets’) then there were those who took 1 packet only as ‘this is all I need’. Fascinating to watch but also taught me that I should only take what I need. Great post!
Rebecca Mezzino says
One of my mantras is “If you didn’t need it before you saw it, you shouldn’t buy it”.
Applying this to freebies – “If you didn’t need it before it was offered, you shouldn’t accept it”.
Connie says
I really like that one! Thanks for sharing.