When you are told you’ll get something for free, what is your typical reaction? That’s a good deal or what a deal, or free, what ever it is I want it.

Webster says that free means: free adverb

1. in a free manner
2. without charge
3. with the wind more than six points from dead ahead <sailing free>

[© 1996 Zane Publishing, Inc. and Merriam-Webster, Incorporated]

The point that attracts most of us is without charge. But, why is it without charge.

Marketers offer free stuff so you’ll respond positively to their advertisement. They think it is a very small price to pay to get your attention. Once they have your attention they may never let go. I attended a marketing seminar given by Dan Kennedy. He said, when someone requests information from him they are put on his mailing list. The one salient point that I will always remember is that they stay on his mailing list until they buy or die. 

Most emails coming from a company attempting to sell you something have a link at the bottom offering to remove you from their email list. But that junk mail we all complain about, it never ends.

So, free may be without financial cost, but the cost is the constant bombardment of junk mail, information you may not want [at least not now], or the junk stuff you keep moving from place to place and wiping the dust off of.

We are currently in the process of selling our home. As a result my view about stuff might be a little different than the average. However, it feels so good to not need to find someplace to put all the free stuff I said “no, I do not want.” To me this simplicity is a freedom I am truly enjoying.

Joy