Do You Like Free Stuff?

Denise Sawicki | August 12, 2007
Thinking of the free Dr Pepper shirt I got Darrell led me to this topic. Now to me this seems like a stupid question. Who wouldn't like free stuff? But it seems to me that most people really don't. They either think it is too much hassle to send away for free stuff, or they think it is low-class or immoral or something, or they get satisfaction from spending their money. I don't know... you tell me :-) I've gotten into a lot of free-stuff promotions lately... first collecting Coke codes to get free Coke products on mycokerewards, then something similar with drpepperbubble, then other things... I have to say it makes me happy... I know a lot of people would disapporve though, for instance my friend Eric who thought it was wrong to ask for a free glass of water with your meal at a fast food restaurant even though he hated pop and often couldn't drink anything offered *other* than water... Anyhow, does anyone have any thoughts on the matter?

Tony Peters | August 12, 2007
back when I smoked I dutifully collected Marlboro bucks and bought myself the Duffle bag. it was more like an oldstyle seabag but i used it for a number of years until I eventually tore the shoulder strap....i still have it and really should repair it but that was definitely my biggest collection freebie. In June i was lucky enough to attend a number of free music concerts while in Norfolk VA. Both, Blues Travelers and Poison...we we backstage for Blues Traveler and got to meet the band as well as free beer all night; Poison was actually way better than I was expecting and I am almost ashamed to say that i had a lot of fun

Lori Lancaster | August 12, 2007
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Steve West | August 13, 2007
The point is, ladies and gentleman, that free -- for lack of a better word -- is good.

Free is right.

Free works.

Free clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit.

Free, in all of its forms -- free for life, for money, for love, knowledge -- has marked the upward surge of mankind.

And free -- you mark my words -- will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA.

Oh yes, I like free.

Russ Wilhelm | August 13, 2007
My biggest freebie was winning a night at a luxury B&B. Of course it may also be my biggest loss of a freebie as well. Apparently it is a "smoke free" B&B. And when they say smoke free, they mean if you are a smoker, you can't stay there, period. Although I applaud everyone that does not smoke, and wish I'd never started, this freebie was kind of a let down (sigh).

Steve Dunn | August 13, 2007
I like free stuff when it's really free. Which brings me to one of my favorite subjects: the importance of properly valuing one's time.

Working as an attorney, I bill by the hour. This gives me an unusual perspective on the value of time. There is a direct and palpable relationship between the number of hours I work and the amount I get paid. Thus, for example, every time I go on vacation, the cost includes not only the expenses incurred in the vacation itself, but also the opportunity cost accrued by not working for a certain period of time.

If you think about this stuff too much, you'll go crazy. But if you think about it just a little, it can change your life.

Most people drastically underestimate the value of their time. I represent many clients, for example, who think of the "cost" of a lawsuit only in terms of attorneys' fees, when in fact the time and hassle associated with litigation (time that otherwise would be spent running your business) is often a greater cost. Add to that the emotions and stress that go along with lawsuits - no one ever thinks about this stuff.

I'm not aware of any precise formula for calculating the value of your time, but as a starting point, I think it's useful to think of your hourly working wage as a bare minimum. I tend to think your free time is more valuable than your working time frankly, since that's what you're working for, right? Anyway, I recommend starting there, if only as a starting point, and then start thinking about how you spend your time.

Could you pay someone to mow your lawn for less than it costs you in time? To clean your house?

This brings me around to clipping coupons and other forms of "free" stuff. I'll gladly accept free stuff only as long as it is also EASY. For example, I almost always send in manufacturer's rebates, since that only involves dropping a letter in the mail. I'll occasionally use coupons if I come across one for a frequent purchase. However, I do not pore through the newspaper every week searching for every coupon I might conceiveably use. I won't drive across town to save $0.10 per gallon on gas. I don't do complicated registrations at web sites unless I'm SURE I'll be a frequent user. I don't do "rewards" programs.

Do not forget about the value of your time!

Denise Sawicki | August 13, 2007
My time is endless and dull and anything to fill it up is generally appreciated. Maybe that's why I like free stuff more than most.

Lori Lancaster | August 13, 2007
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Anna Gregoline | August 13, 2007
LOVE free stuff - I just sent away for a free sample of a product I already buy - that's one more item I won't have to purchase right away and it only cost me the five seconds it took to fill out a form online.

Amy Austin | August 14, 2007
When you make things like costumes or plushies, people like to ask if they can buy them, but get scared at the price of a custom plush. Mostly, people don't want to take into account the maker of said plushie's time, let alone the cost of materials. They expect superior goods at mass-produced prices, and its annoying. Ah well.
^_^

Since I can sew, too, Lori (and draw/paint/woodburn/etc.), I can soooo relate. It's something that makes trying to earn a living by way of artisan skills a very difficult thing -- how do you price things so that you preserve the worth of the creation and your time... while not flinching or being unduly embarrassed by those people who seem to think that such things ought to cost the same as stuff made in China?!?! (Or India, Thailand, Hong Kong... name your mass-produced crafts' $0.20/hr country of origin!) It's tough. And then, of course, there's the innate hypocrisy of buying those aforementioned mass-produced crafts...

Lori Lancaster | August 14, 2007
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Amy Austin | August 14, 2007
...then again, it always seems like you're putting a part of your soul into a quilt, and its soo much work, that I can't fathom selling it after soo much effort. Have you had a decent experience with commission work Amy? Or have most people belly ached the cost to you? :D

Absolutely, I agree!!! And no -- I have only had 2 or 3 experiences with commissioning my skills... and never without some discomfort on the part of one or both parties -- I generally try to avoid this as much as possible. Chicks don't always dig skills, I find... ;-)

Lori Lancaster | August 14, 2007
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Amy Austin | August 14, 2007
Heheh... mostly, it was just a humorous remark... but I think I'll refrain from adding more on here -- you can always e-mail me (or im!) if you want... ;-)

Steve West | August 16, 2007
Check out this free stuff.