A keychain here, a frisbee there, a pin, a mug, hotel shampoos, and perhaps a handful of pretty pens. There is no end to the items that seem to pour into our lives daily. They may seem harmless, but the fact is, no matter how small the freebie is, the cost of taking it home is much higher. Little things add up faster than you know it.
Whether you're at a work convention, on vacation, a trade show, or a yard sale someone will at one point offer you something free or at such a good deal it's hard to say no. The fact is, you don't have to take it. Sure, in the moment you get the thrill of obtaining something, especially if you see others with it. But after the event or sale is over, you are now burdened with a trinket that you have to deal with. It was free for a reason.
Take a look around your home. See anything with a logo on it? Maybe your favorite travel mug brands a company you don't even remember. That T-shirt you wear to bed every night? The pen you use at work? We have been bombarded with promotional and free items so much that they have become part of our everyday lives.
But what if we got rid of all the clutter that snuck its way into our homes under the clever guise of being free? Would we be better off with one or two favorite quality pens instead of a drawer full of crappy free ones?
Because when did we sign up to be walking billboards for companies that don't really care about us anyway? They have made their way into our homes by tricking us into thinking we need their stuff.
The cost of free is giving up space in your home. The cost is promoting logos that mean nothing to us. The cost is our time figuring out what to do with all the little items that come in. So how do we stop the cycle and what do we do with all of the "free" stuff we already have?
Items that are no longer wanted or needed?
See if someone actually can use the items. Perhaps all those T-shirts can be donated to people who have lost their clothing in a housefire; coloring books to a children's hospital or ID holders to college students. All of those shampoo and lotion bottles from hotel stays would work best for those in shelters. You get the idea!
Some of the smaller, not as useful trinkets can be used as gifts. Think gift toppers, goodie bags, or prizes for kids' parties.
Donate the rest and keep your space clear of clutter.
What about the stuff you like, but don't really use at home?
Who says all that stuff has to stay in your house?
How about bringing all the mugs and cups to your office instead of having them sit in the back of your cabinet? You'll be a hero when someone else's mug breaks and there's one waiting for them.
I've been bringing pens to my office and find I'm actually using them! Like down to where they are running out of ink (not drying from sitting so long in my pen cup). Use things up, because that is their purpose.
Tissue packs, hand sanitizer, disposable masks, etc. These are best thrown in your bag or left in the car. I can't tell you how many times those tiny packs of tissues have become lifesavers while on the road.
The truth is, that we rarely need tiny versions of products in our homes that we already have. We won't grab the teeny bottle of shampoo when we have a full bottle of the stuff we love and use regularly.
Still want "free" but without the clutter?
Of course we do, we are human! Free will always get us excited. Think about the last time you went to Costcos. This is why some of the best alternatives to physical items that take up space in your home are food and consumables!
Who doesn't love a free cookie, a mint, or a pack of gum? Take the freebie, get the thrill, eat it up, enjoy it, and be done with it!
Hopefully, now you see the benefits of saying "no" to free in the first place. Not every event needs a souvenir, not everything free has to come home with you and it's okay to walk away from a good deal.
One less thing in your house is one less thing in your house. Think about that for a second.
Is it always worth the "yes"?