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
Kiki says
We have become the dumping grounds for several family members who want to “bless” us with things they don’t want, but think we could use. The truth is one of two things: the items have sentimental value for them and they don’t want to throw them away, or they have an overarching packrat mentality, and while the items aren’t important to them, they just can’t bear to get rid of anything.
The problem is that while I would like to pass these items directly on to goodwill, my spouse also has this overarching packrat mentality and can’t bear to let anything go, whether it was “free” or we paid for it.
Do we use this, do we need this. Excellent questions. Time for some clandestine de-cluttering sessions.
lindy says
I feel for you. I too have family members who gave me stuff because they couldn’t bear for it to go to strangers.
MaryE2 says
If there is a space where you keep such things, clear it and help the person just add back what they need. Sometimes, it is tough to lead people to the transformative idea of “enough.” Personalizing items is different; sometimes I have had to write down what the item means before I can let it go. For my mother’s pot that no one wanted, I sold it as it would have value to the person who bought it. Not a lot of money made, but one way to pass it on.
Kate says
I was happily reading this until you said you were buying makeup. Why do women feel they need to wear makeup? When will our culture get to a place where a woman can feel attractive without makeup? Men seem to get away with it. Also, makeup is WAY overpriced and often requires animal testing.
joshua becker says
I don’t know if every woman feels that they “need” to wear make-up. Some women probably just prefer to wear it—as do some men.
Corinne Russell says
I wear sunscreen that is tinted because I have a long family and personal history of skin cancer. “Make-up” is a necessity.
Dee says
That’s a whole Different Point but you are right that make-up is sooo overpriced.
I do look better with make up and I like to see myself in The Mirror looking good
Catherine Black says
Yes! I totally agree. You are the best you. This old hippie has never worn makeup and does not let people like Kardashians tell me what to do. Spend your money on activities, work your brain, teach your children. Your children will not remember whether you had the right tone of face makeup or peaked eyebrows. Let them remember you with the gift of time and love that you shared.
Diane says
Free items also include those from info booths at health fairs, senior awareness fairs, and from casinos. The stress is dealing with the junk – pens, info flyers, bookmarks, pencils, hand sanitizes me, etc. “Free” gifts from casinos have a cost, our $$ we gamble with. The cost – bills that accumulate cause one can’t pay cause one spent all their $$ for a “free” casino gift. Plus the gas to get there. The family stress as well. It’s not worth it. And also, buffets. Why do people think it’s their right to sneak food out?! It’s not free for the taking?! Plus it’s embarrassing when you’re with those people who take.
Teresa says
There’s no hard and fast rules that you should take everything offered or refuse everything offered to you free. Growing up being offered anything for free put me in a dilemma as there was a double bind imposed on me. I was expected to refuse politely no matter how much I wanted the freebie on offer and then eventually capitulate. Now I live by different rules for my mind’s sake. Say yes when you mean yes and no when you mean no.
Bhadra Mehta says
Why do detergent companies put in a plastic scoop..it irritates me no end..one free scoop is enough to last a lifetime…imagine the amount of plastic and also cost to the environment and consumer?
lindy says
Buy liquid or make your own ;-)
brenda says
My mom died and I got a lot of her stuff. I gave away her clothes and I have nearly everything else. My husband died and I still have tons of stuff. I have given away a lot including his clothes. It’s so hard to let go of things. Every part of the Bible that says not to store Up things where moths and dust corrupt and thieves break into steal…so even more in biblical times there must have been knick knacks
Barbara says
Unless you were planning to get one anyway, be cautious of cell phone company promotions
that offer free tablets with a phone purchase. The tablet may be free but if you accept it you usually will be paying for a contract on it, even f you never use it.
Peri says
Yes! When I bought my new phone a few years ago, they were giving away tablets with every purchase. And, of course, they would add a data plan to my bill for the tablet. I already have a tablet and don’t need another one, and thought maybe I could sell the new one. I asked if I could have the tablet without the plan and they said “no.” So I said no. They tried, but I stood fast and said no to the freebie. Walked out with just my phone.
person says
We made a family rule after our massive moving purge (75% of our belongings are gone) not to accept free things whether it’s from a store, or a person looking to get rid of something. The exceptions are that it must be in good working order–not needing ANYTHING—and it must be something we were planning ahead to buy.
We had so much crap to get rid of that we never bought. We had lots of land and storage and become the drop off for everyone else. NO MORE!!!
Simone Tessitore says
I always take free canvas bags. They are great for loading up and giving away the items I’m letting go of. Nicer than handing off a wal mart sack.
Theresa says
I agree. These items are not free. I don’t want anything I haven’t specifically gone out to buy. If I am not there to buy it, then I don’t need or want it. It is just more stuff for landfill. I find I only buy food these days. I rarely need or want anything else. It is so freeing and makes me really happy to be satisfied with what I have and to have given away about 70% of my possessions. The less I have, the happier I have become. Great post. Thanks for making us think about this!
Chelsea Heath says
I like to take these items (unless they are truly crap) and put them straight in my donation box. That way someone who needs it will likely eventually get it and it doesn’t really take me any extra time or effort.
Teresa says
I like that idea! The item already exists, so why not get it to someone who can use it who might not be able to get it otherwise?
Cammie says
I take free things if I will actually use them. The best item I ever got for free was from my bank. I walked in one day and they were giving out free electric citrus juicers to new customers. I just said “Wow I could use one of those. Too bad I’m not a new customer”. The teller said here take one. I used that juicer for years until it died. I loved that juicer. They don’t sell that brand anymore so now I use my trusty fork. That said, I will turned down free “junk” every time. For me junk is anything I personally will not use. Also, if I take it and it sits for more than a month, I donate it. Sometimes I do make mistakes.