Freebies Are Never Free: The True Cost of Free Stuff Is Clutter | The Minimalists Ep. 415

The Minimalists talk about saying no to free stuff. Watch all 3 hours of episode 415 on The Minimalists Private Podcast: / theminimalists
Discussed in this episode:
Intro (00:00)
How can I say no to all the freebies my employer keeps trying to give me? (01:30)
How can I overcome my all-or-nothing mentality? (13:25)
What can I do to stay out of the stuff rat race? (26:25)
How can I stop holding on to just-in-case items? (43:30)
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#TheMinimalists #Minimalism #Clutter

[@TheMinimalists]

What do you do when someone offers you free stuff?

[@ginamarie5575]

If I don’t want it I sell it or give it away . Hate too much stuff in my space ….. just pass it on . Keep it moving if it does not suit you 😊

[@emilyhimbeerchen4550]

Avoid eyecontact and run away

[@kraykray4118]

​@@emilyhimbeerchen4550😂😂😂

[@kraykray4118]

I now politely say no thank you I'm all set on that front 👍

[@pjasmine]

my problem is I love to receive them. 😞

[@giselecrevier3967]

I love the quote: "If the product is free, YOU are the product."

[@drewo6388]

Exactly. That's what I think of when I think of social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, or X/Twitter.

[@Heavens-Humanaterian-Army]

​@@drewo6388your absolutely spot on...I know facebook was set up by cia to track criminals conveniently and do data mining.. i can't belive so many put important sensitive info online.

[@WickedJinx]

“I already have everything I need” is such an elegant way to decline

[@christinawynkoop4027]

Another way I have decluttered, I fasted from Facebook for 5 months. I took it one day at a time. I found that I was reading more. I found that I was talking to my daughter more. I found I was more productive at work. I found I was more productive in managing my home. I found out that I could put my iPhone down and not want to pick it back up. I decided to shut down my Facebook permanently. I now see I'm not comparing my life to others. I manage my time better. I no longer have Instagram, twitter, etc. I know this isn't for everyone but this has changed my life!!!! I have time for my love ones!! I'm so grateful I chose to take the first step.

[@rainwarren1219]

I love TK's voice!

[@heatherburch7697]

The environmental cost of “free” things is astronomical. They are usually low value items, often plastic which end up in the land fill.

[@LourdesCruz-nj4xx]

I lost everything during Hurricane Maria and also personal relationships disappeared as soon as I had nothing “to offer “. I changed work to the one I used to fantasize, I have a minimalist house and a new relationship. I jumped into the idea of new canvas to live with less and experience more. Every two or three weeks I go to one room and verify if there is something that I no longer like, use or want and donate or get rid of it. I love my current life and the hurricane removed a lifestyle and possessions that were dragging me down.

[@Wee_ones_Xolito]

❤ x

[@franmcdonald4702]

Companies are proud of what they do. Company I worked for gave me a shirt every year. I just passed them on.Donated them.

[@paullajackson4482]

I think it's all about how you ask someone if they would like something for free. It would be nice if someone said, "Would you enjoy having this in your life?" instead of saying, "Here, take this free stuff." or "Do you want this?"

[@phillipsnichole2857]

Hahaha 😂 I used to go to industry conventions just to pick up the free loot!! I worked jobs hoping to score free stuff from the event!

[@carolgeorge6409]

People are trying to clean out their stuff! I started saying no thank you . Cleaning out my own stuff!!!!

[@REDVARG]

What a joy it is to be an atheist and a minimalist!

[@miguelvalenzuela6691]

Great episode! As someone who works as a regional manager for a retailer, sometimes we have events where we get and give away stuff. I struggle with the fact that most of the thigs we give away are just trash to me. When stuff is given to me I try to pass it so someone else that can get joy out of it.

[@free2roam492]

I love watching your videos. I learn and reaffirm so much of my life.

[@kentanderson8575]

I love that you have been to our city. To all the listeners, please come visit or move here.

[@jonglee3194]

important point

[@skelatonman]

32:05 YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

[@LoneWolf32927]

Anytime i get anything free I will take it home and put it my donation box right away and it goes straight to the church or thrift store

[@Jordan-4-Him-NM]

To Jake: yes, you are a minimalist, but think of it this way. The items are already there so it's not like you're ordering something from scratch that is going to take up resources to make and add to the landfill. Take the item-pass it on. People who do not want clutter or are minimalists are not the norm. I don't think they are trying to make you feel bad-I think they don't have a clue because they are stuck inside their consumerism.

[@lc5542]

You guys are amazing. Thanks, been following you since the beginning.

[@catmandoo3735]

If it's truly free with no strings attached and it's something I know I can use it or pass it on to some charity that may be able to use it, then yes I will accept it.

[@mjsmith9889]

I just have to add that my ENTIRE life I have been chastised for my HEARTY LAUGH. MALABAMA is a close second to me!! Love it!! Keep laughing MALABAMA!!! Not many jobs where you can have that good of a time!! LAUGH ON SISTER!

[@Heavens-Humanaterian-Army]

Absolutley love it your totaly right..and recently I got rid off a big chunky toy my kids found on the side of the road..it was here for a year and woo hoo now its gone plus more items as well...yay my loungeroom just got bigger woo hoo.such a good feeling.

[@susandaw144]

I would take these free products, especially the t-shirts and donate them to homeless shelters. Someone would be happy to have them. I’m not judging the person who doesn’t want the freebies.

[@lauriecampbell1378]

Great content, wow!

[@MoveApts]

Big thumbs up! Great episode...

[@Halff_elf]

Columbus, IN: I would just take the shirt, and give it to Goodwill. ;)

[@carolgeorge6409]

Just say no!

[@dreylane]

The company I worked for gave t-shirts and wanted the employees to wear them during a visit from Corporate.

[@dreylane]

Take the freebies but, get rid of it off the employer's property. Give to Goodwill or Salvation Army on your way home.

[@CarolenGrayToday]

also for Jake you can take the free thing with total permission to donate it or throw it away

[@nas6315]

Free, the other f word

[@giselarominaquillin8038]

I have a silver utensils case from my husband’s grandmother, I don’t know how to get rid of it, if not body from the families want it, why should I do?? Help!!!

[@Heavens-Humanaterian-Army]

Give it away to someone or sell it...someone would love to give it a new lease on life and appreciate it...probably more than a family member that wouldn't honner it.

[@cathypritchard4306]

I do not take free stuff!

[@nancybrody5896]

I always say NO to free stuff. If it’s free it’s usually junk.

[@mr.bnatural3700]

Isn't minimalism the same as hoarding empty space? Hoarding air?

[@Heavens-Humanaterian-Army]

No not at all..minimlyst is about simplifying your life to save time so you time to work relax be with family ext...its about quality of life..and not tending your belongs that end up owning you.

[@eandrgoodwin]

So you told her “I have everything I need,” but isn’t the simple fact that you are in a grocery store a contradiction of what you told her? Why would you be in a store if you truly had everything you need? (Or want?)

[@dream.darlene]

Pink Floyd I'm black 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Yes love it!

[@rosamariaortizpino1238]

Capitalism is based on the idea of needing material stuff

[@sharonhosler2395]

Alisha, you might want to Google the book “The Four Tendencies” by Gretchen Rubin. I struggle similarly also and the Obliger section helps me understand ways to not.

[@k.weirdo7747]

@ThoughtsonThinking