Just because something is free, doesn’t mean you have to take it.

@AmbiePam (85660)
United States
March 12, 2024 4:20pm CST
I made a mistake. I had the chance to get a latte/cappuccino/expresso machine, and I talked myself into thinking how great that would be. Never mind I only have a latte once a year. I thought, well, if I had a machine, I’d start drinking them more often. No, that did not happen. I’m trying to psych myself up into making them more often. That reminds me of my friend who will take anything free. Only, this has now turned into a hoarding situation for her. Of the free things she has found, or been given, about 2% turned out to be useful. Surely, you have taken something free only to question what you were doing.
23 people like this
22 responses
@Juliaacv (48517)
• Canada
12 Mar
I agree with you. If you do not need it, the price isn't really important, it is best to do without it. My Dad used to tell me, it isn't a 'sale' if you do not need it. He was such a smart guy.
6 people like this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
12 Mar
I thought I couldn’t go wrong with absolutely free. I was wrong!
4 people like this
@Juliaacv (48517)
• Canada
12 Mar
@AmbiePam I also look at like if I do not need it and I take it, what happens to the person who does truly need it and there are none left. And besides that, I hate clutter.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (74706)
• East Tawas, Michigan
13 Mar
@AmbiePam The absolutely free, is basically a fish hook, to see how many will bite on it.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (95576)
• Marion, Ohio
12 Mar
I don't take anything I won't use.
3 people like this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
12 Mar
I sure thought I’d use it.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157650)
• United States
13 Mar
I am right there with @Juliaacv, a bargain is a bargain only if you need it. As for your latte machine, would it benefit you in any way to drink them more often? Or just cost you more in time and supplies? Can you give it as a nice gift to someone who drinks special coffee drinks more often?
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
13 Mar
I think from reading people’s comments, that I will start drinking them. It would be a nice treat. I mean, when I have had them, I loved them.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
13 Mar
@Juliaacv You are welcome any time!
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48517)
• Canada
13 Mar
@AmbiePam I'll be over for a drink and a chat Amber.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (170340)
• United States
12 Mar
Yeah, tote bags..I need to say no!!! I mean how many can you realistically use. Why don't you sell the machine? I am sure you could get something for it?
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
12 Mar
I have to keep it for at least 6 months, but after that, I guess I could. And oh, I am with you on tote bags. I think, well, you never know. Yes, I do know. I know I don’t need as many as I have.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (170340)
• United States
12 Mar
@AmbiePam It seems like everywhere you go they want to give you a totebag. I went to something this winter where they had plenty of them. I was proud of myself for only taking one (which I didn't need by the way) Now if it is unique one or one with a zipper or something I might avail myself, otherwise..no TY.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
13 Mar
@snowy22315 I’ve got to keep any eye out for an unusual tote bag for you when I go on vacation next week.
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (40603)
• United States
13 Mar
I can't think of any particular thing right now, but I've bought small appliances thinking I really, really needed them. Then I quite using them and give them away. I did that with an air fryer, a crock pot, and a wok. No, actually I still have the wok, but I only used it once, then forgot about it. Out of sight, out of mind!
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
13 Mar
It’s easy to fall for the kitchen gadgets!
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40603)
• United States
13 Mar
@AmbiePam Yeah, they're my weakness.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35718)
• Canada
12 Mar
I'd use that machine! I used to take my aunt's clothes that she was getting rid of. Expensive nice clothes. My uncle, would try to get me to take as many as possible as all their closets were bursting! I had way too many clothes until I learned to edit my collection. My aunt just shopped more and kept her closets full!
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
12 Mar
Yes, editing is important to keep things in order, as well as to cultivate a pleasing style.
2 people like this
@much2say (53944)
• Los Angeles, California
13 Mar
I remember signing up to get all these free samples through the mail. It was fun to get them, but they turned into a pile of unused "stuff". What a waste - a waste of space too.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
13 Mar
I used to get free samples to use as stocking stuffers. Free always seems so appealing (assuming I don’t have to sign up for a terrible amount of things…won’t be doing that).
1 person likes this
@much2say (53944)
• Los Angeles, California
17 Mar
@AmbiePam Stocking stuffers - ah, that's a good idea! I know, free is as cheap as it gets . . . it's tempting to grab free stuff. Maybe our previous experiences with them made us wiser now .
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (58091)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 Mar
I think we all have. It's part of being human I think.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (73660)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 Mar
What can you say about the offer I saw? They offered a $500 gift card for Amazon for free however you have to pay for shipping. Now I thought to myself that is how they get you. The shipping fee is probably about half what that card is worth and there is no way I am paying close to or more than $200 to get the gift card because that is not what free means and it does not mean a price attached,
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
12 Mar
That’s crazy!
2 people like this
@just4him (306854)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
13 Mar
I often find free things on the give and take table in the community room. I've found some nice things there that when I looked up what they were worth, I found they were expensive items people got rid of.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
13 Mar
That’s pretty cool.
1 person likes this
@just4him (306854)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
13 Mar
@AmbiePam Yes, it is.
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (15907)
• United States
13 Mar
It's easy to think we will use something but never do like we think we will.
2 people like this
@kobesbuddy (74706)
• East Tawas, Michigan
13 Mar
Jay is a hoarder and anything that's free, he jumps on it in too seconds. Why? I don't really know why.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (34397)
16 Mar
Freebies are usually a good thing except when it becomes a collection. I do remember taking a free golf bag I thought I'd use. It's now in the basement with some old clubs in it. I also don't use those either...
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
16 Mar
You had such ambitions!
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (34397)
17 Mar
@AmbiePam Best laid plans..
1 person likes this
@andreea_v (241)
13 Mar
I see what you mean. It happens to others too, but indeed we don't need so many things, sometimes it is hard to remember that. Gift the machine to someone who really uses it, it is the easiest way to make someone happy and put it to good use
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
14 Mar
@andreea_v It’s for Amazon Vine. They give you free things in exchange for a review. But you can’t give it away for six months. That goes for everything they let a person select.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
13 Mar
One of the conditions on getting it was that I keep it for six months, but afterwards, I could certainly give it away.
1 person likes this
14 Mar
@AmbiePam Loool you have to keep it for 6 month?!
@Shavkat (137221)
• Philippines
13 Mar
I agree. We can be practical on certain things in life.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36496)
• Toccoa, Georgia
13 Mar
I recently was given a new George Foreman grill as a gift, but I didn't need it since we already have one. But I couldn't say that to the giver of the gift.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
13 Mar
Yeah, you didn’t want to hurt their feelings.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458867)
• Switzerland
13 Mar
There are also appliances I bought thinking it was a great idea and I ended up donating them... that happened with the microwave and the air fryer.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
13 Mar
I admire anyone who doesn’t use a microwave!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458867)
• Switzerland
13 Mar
@AmbiePam I bought because, according to my niece, you cannot live without a microwave. I tried for a while, I disliked, it was there taking space on my counter, I donated.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (49098)
• United States
13 Mar
I have and then I end up donating.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326098)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Mar
I find it difficult to pass up anything free. I think it stems from never having much of anything when I was younger, athough really I had much more than I thought I had - if that makes sense.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
14 Mar
I completely understand that.
1 person likes this
• Rupert, Idaho
13 Mar
That's good to keep in mind when it comes to things that are given/found/free... I haven't really had to ask the question myself
1 person likes this