I recently received a free George Foreman grill for opening a bank account. I had absolutely no use or desire for one; but the bank manager presented it to me with such flourish, it seemed downright rude to refuse it.
No problem, I thought—I’ll simply accept it, then turn around and give it away. Easier said than done: it took me three weeks to find a taker, as almost everyone to whom I offered it already had one. (Note to self: next time try Freecycle.)
Since then, I’ve become much more aware of the “freebies” that come into my life…and I’m much less likely to accept them. These little gifts, samples, trials and tchotchkes are a particularly invasive form of clutter. At least when you purchase things, you need to make the decision to pay for them—a formal “invitation,” if you will, to bring them into your life. Freebies tend to slip in rather stealthily, in the guise of a “gift,” sneaking their way into your bathroom cabinets and kitchen drawers.
It’s difficult to visit any place of business without being proffered a pen, calendar, or magnet with the company’s name. Attend a professional sports event, and you’re sure to come away with some kind of fan memorabilia. Purchase makeup at a department store, and your bag will be stuffed with tiny complimentary lotions and potions.
It’s not easy (especially for those of us who want to be polite!), but if you don’t want it, don’t take it! I now stop for a few moments to consider what’s being offered—and in most cases, find a nice way to decline. Occasionally I receive some strange looks, as turning down “free stuff” is not expected behavior in a consumerist society. But each refusal is a small victory in keeping clutter (and advertising!) out of my life.
I have on more than one occasion placed freebies right into the donation box on my way through the front door! The local blood bank frequently gives us frequent donors things. I was declining them originally, thinking I was saving them money. But they said all the items were basically either free to them, or very, very cheap. So it’s worth the free advertising they get when I donate them. But I try to avoid freebies I’d have to carry around all day while shopping, or at the fair, or some place like that. I don’t like carrying things I don’t want. ;-)
Robert, that’s a great strategy: using the donation box to “catch” the freebies before they take up residence in your house!
I just stumbled upon your site and love it! I recently started a blog and my most recent post highlights exactly what you describe.
http://www.pursuitofless.com/2010/05/free-box.html
Anyway I look forward to reading through more of your posts!
Chris
Hi Chris! Love your post, and look forward to reading your blog. :-)
good point, I actually hate freebies and I say no to them, anytime I get any freebies they usually wind up in the trash, lol, imo they’re usually tacky things…
Agreed, nyxmoxie, it’s much better to say no and keep them out of the landfill!
Kid’s meal toys. Hate, hate, hate! They usually don’t even make it out of the car. Kid’s meals have gotten better, why can’t they just eliminate the whole toy idea? When they do make it inside, my daughter is frequently puzzled as to what they even do!
I am trying to get freebies for things I use. I use Clinique make-up and I love their gift sets because I use their products and can use the small sizes for travel. I use the makeup cases for small knitting cases.
Otherwise, I am trying not to take freebies. I like the idea of donating them. I have been donating to a local women’s shelter and I bet they would appreciate make-up & sample sizes. Thanks for the great idea!
Hello miss m: I’m a fairly new reader of your blog, which I absolutely love. This column has prompted me to send you a comment, since it was a free gift I received that prompted me to actually take my first minimalist baby step. The free gift was a travel coffee mug. I already have a great travel mug that I use every day and I didn’t need or want another one. For some reason, this stupid thing was a kick in my butt. Picking my closet first, I’ve cleaned, stripped down, and organized it, giving away stuff that I never used or wore any longer. There are empty shelves in my closet now, and I love it. I have lots more to do in my home, but remember, this was my baby step!
Hi, I recently won a pretty basket at a wedding shower which included all things *lavender*. It was a bit exciting for me at first, as these things are coveted by all the women at the shower! But now that I have it at home, I wish I wouldn’t have won it because I don’t know what to do with most of the stuff. It is making me feel bad to pitch it out and so it is taking up space in my closet. In retrospect, I should have offered to give the lavender basket to another lady at my table that was wishing she would have won!
I really hate most freebies as well. It can be very difficult at times to refuse without seeming impolite. We are so conditioned in our culture to never think about the real costs associated with freebies ’cause nothing is really free is it?
I get small tubes of toothpaste from the dentist and take those along with any other small samples to the nursing home my mom lives in. I also know someone who takes little soaps to veterans’ hospitals. I cut up the address stickers that come in the mail and take the pretty part to my sister-in-law with Alzheimer’s. My husband keeps bringing home big water cups, though and I told him he could pick 3 and get rid of the rest. I sleep in the free T shirts.
I like to do puzzles. Crossword puzzles, sudoku puzzles, jigsaw puzzles. I limit myself to 5 of each kind. If someone is giving away pens, I find them useful, as well as tiny pads of paper. I don’t take supplies from hotel rooms because I never use them up.
I keep tiny boxes of crayons in my purse because there is always an out of control toddler at my Dr’s office. The only other free things I take are soap and toothpaste because I use them or guests do. If not, I can give them to a women’s shelter. There are so many products I don’t use at all.