Non-Free Bargains

This page is provided as an ongoing list of non-free bargains. There are plenty of marketing phrases which use the word “free”, yet the deals are not actually free. Part of the purpose of this site is to help consumers look past the gimmicks so that they can find freebies that are actually free when they become available. Big businesses and marketing companies know the science of getting consumers to spend more. Don’t let their strategies trick you. Hunting for freebies can be a fun hobby or a practice that can help your personal finances.

While the following deals are not actually free, some of them can still represent significant discounts. If they are used, they should be used actively, not passively. If you’re passively shopping and a deal tricks you into buying something you weren’t already planning, then you’ve spent more. If you’re already planning on buying something and you wait for one of these deals to become available, then and only then are you spending less. Notice I don’t use the common marketing word “save” in this case, because spending at all is not saving. It’s spending. Saving is when you keep money in a savings account or even a piggy bank at home. Buying something because it’s on sale, is not saving, it’s still spending.

Here are some deals that are not actually free (but could still be bargains):

Buy One Get One Free

Kids Eat Free Or Kids Free With Adult Purchase

“Free with purchase of”

Free after activation

Free Shipping

Free After Rewards

Get A Free Gadget

Royalty-Free

Tax-Free

Free Quote