Should you take free stuff even when you can afford it yourself?

[BlissMommy]

I think it depends upon personal circumstances. If I couldn't afford something and it was offered yes I would, but if I can afford it then I won't do it. I don't think it's fair to do that.

[mndtrp]

If I don't fall in the intended category for the free items, then I wouldn't try to get those items. If the backpack is for needy families, and I'm not needy, then I wouldn't take the backpack. If the backpack was for anyone and everyone, and I could use a backpack, I would pick one up.

[Josephhgoins]

Like everyone else it depends on the month to me. My general rule is that if me getting something for free is costing an individual then I probably shouldn't do it. I.E. as long as I have a little bit of jewelry to sell I shouldn't go to a food bank where hard working folk spent their hard earned money to fill.

However, if A grocery store has a sale and I have a coupon and can get it for free, then that's for me. The companies involved wrote off the expenses as marketing costs and didn't take it from any one persons' hand.

I also make sure that me getting something isn't going to put someone else who really needs it out. I would hate to think that I went to the food bank and got a load of food instead of selling something and a working family who had nothing else to sell had to skip some meals