“There’s no such thing as a free lunch"

@Shavkat (140526)
Philippines
July 14, 2025 8:26pm CST
When I was teaching a student, I came across this phrase. Over time, I came to understand the value of putting in more effort to achieve a goal. When it comes to basic needs like food and shelter, I think nothing is free. Even still, intangibles are unquestionably free. However, it is not free if it is not provided. What do you think about this phrase? Do you agree with such a phrase? Image Credit: img.freepik.com
3 people like this
4 responses
@Nakitakona (57733)
• Philippines
20h
Things are free when there's no cost and they're offered for free. Free may be offered to regular thing sold to promote sales.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (140526)
• Philippines
10h
It can be one of the sales schemes offered by businesses. I must agree with this idea.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (57733)
• Philippines
1h
@Shavkat And it does. It's effective for sales promotion. Customers love to get freebies.
@DaddyEvil (153349)
• United States
15 Jul
TANSTAAFL was a common theme in novels of a certain age and by certain authors I read when I was growing up. L. Ron Hubbard was one author that comes to mind using that acronym for "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch." Every way possible has been tried to feed and clothe a man and his family for free and none of them work or won't work for long before the man gets into legal trouble. Back in the old days, the man would have been run out of town covered in tar and feathers if he was caught trying to get everything for free. But there are still scammers who try to do this now.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (140526)
• Philippines
10h
At some point, I agree that scammers are more updated to fool innocent souls. These innocent ones fall into their bad schemes because of the free option given to them. That is the sad part of the story.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (153349)
• United States
9h
@Shavkat They have to keep up with technology, just like the rest of us... They use it for bad purposes, though. I haven't seen you in a while. Are you and your family doing okay?
• United States
15 Jul
Free is an imaginary idea. Someone, somewhere worked to produce it. Labor has a monetary value and it also has a physical value if no money is exchanged. Many people have devoted time and effort to bring products or services to those that get them with no exchange of money, valuables or favors. I agree. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (140526)
• Philippines
10h
As far as I could remember, people could have something for free in the past. Now, it is not most likely to happen. People should work hard for it.
1 person likes this
• United States
9h
@Shavkat What was EVER free? Didn't someone have to make it/ find it/ work for it/ pay for it/trade for it? Water may have been free if you drank from a stream or lake or foraged for fruits or berries or trapped game or caught fish but I can't think of another thing that was ever free.
@JudyEv (358575)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Jul
I think in most cases this is a very true saying.
1 person likes this
@Shavkat (140526)
• Philippines
10h
I agree. It depends on how it is being perceived by people.
1 person likes this