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

**heartofmine** · 08-05-2011, 10:58 PM

This is sort of something I was thinking about after reading a post here about free school supplies and free clothing (not knocking the post or poster so please don't think so. It just gave me food for thought). Now I know we are here to be frugal and learn frugality and I'm all for it. I'm wondering a bit where it crosses the line (your personal moral line or compass) I guess....so I'm asking you.

Should you take things meant for those in need when you can afford to buy them yourself...even if you technically qualify???

Just for an instance....I knew someone that got food from the food pantry as well as commodities because their monthly income qualified but yet they owned a huge amount of land and had thousands upon thousands in the bank.

**krbshappy71** · 08-05-2011, 11:07 PM

I use my own moral compass. Results may vary.

**McD** · 08-05-2011, 11:29 PM

Yeah...what she said. Circumstances and instances vary as do people and their mindset.

My way of thinking is this, if explaining to my kids why I'm doing something would make me embarrassed, ashamed, or uncomfortable, I shouldn't be doing it.

**sinopa27** · 08-06-2011, 12:02 AM

I think this can vary. I may be able to afford the free backpack but maybe I am having a difficult month or two and the backpack would help. I wouldn't do it if I had thousands in the bank. I have had times where there were more expenses in a month or two and I was really short on money. If the opportunity came up where I could get a free backpack, I may consider it.

**bumplett** · 08-06-2011, 01:31 AM

Great question!

I adore krb's answer!

I believe it does depend on the circumstances - such as if I go to a market or expo and there are freebies given to anyone, that's ok. But if I have to go sign up to "qualify" then NO.

I was that parent in public school that refused to fill out/turn in the "free/reduced lunch" form - I know there were many years we would have qualified, but NO THANKS, I'd rather pack a lunch. Part of my reasoning is privacy - I wouldn't want teachers/staff to know how much money we make - that's NOONE'S business but ours.

I don't think that someone should get free/reduced lunch just because they 'qualify' - I have one friend that doesn't tell the truth about her cash income, so they 'qualify' - FREE LUNCH IS PAID FOR BY THE TAX PAYERS!!!

I have another friend that gets free lunch for her kids, but can still afford to eat fast food multiple times per week. UMM, HELLO???

so.... my answer is NO - No, it's NOT alright to take help that's meant for low income if you can buy it yourself - it's NOT alright to be low income and WASTE money when the tax payers pick up the slack. No, it's NOT alright to take advantage of other people's generosity because you are lazy.

JMHO.

**sinopa27** · 08-06-2011, 01:52 AM

I found that post you were talking about that made you think up this conversation we are having. In that instance, I wouldn't take anything free if I could afford to get the stuff. I was referring to having a temporary difficult time when financial affairs. Things change and things happen. There may be a time when you do need some help but not when things are better. I would most definitely make sure I donate when financial times are better for me.

**sinopa27** · 08-06-2011, 01:53 AM

Originally Posted by bumplett

Great question!

I adore krb's answer!

I believe it does depend on the circumstances - such as if I go to a market or expo and there are freebies given to anyone, that's ok. But if I have to go sign up to "qualify" then NO.

I was that parent in public school that refused to fill out/turn in the "free/reduced lunch" form - I know there were many years we would have qualified, but NO THANKS, I'd rather pack a lunch. Part of my reasoning is privacy - I wouldn't want teachers/staff to know how much money we make - that's NOONE'S business but ours.

I don't think that someone should get free/reduced lunch just because they 'qualify' - I have one friend that doesn't tell the truth about her cash income, so they 'qualify' - FREE LUNCH IS PAID FOR BY THE TAX PAYERS!!!

I have another friend that gets free lunch for her kids, but can still afford to eat fast food multiple times per week. UMM, HELLO???

so.... my answer is NO - No, it's NOT alright to take help that's meant for low income if you can buy it yourself - it's NOT alright to be low income and WASTE money when the tax payers pick up the slack. No, it's NOT alright to take advantage of other people's generosity because you are lazy.

JMHO.

well said!!!

**fernykins** · 08-06-2011, 02:23 AM

I don't go hunting for free stuff, but if something was offered to me I might take it. If I can't use it I wouldn't take it. I always felt other people needed it more then I did.
Fern

**nuisance26** · 08-06-2011, 07:49 AM

~I am fiercely independent. Staying self-sufficient is more important to me than getting free stuff to reduce our spending.
So I would not take anything for free that I was able to pay for even if I qualified.~

**lottaLove** · 08-06-2011, 08:22 AM

I wouldn't take free 'stuff' like groceries or school supplies that I can certainly pay for myself. I do however take advantage of every income based tax credit, baby bonus etc. that I qualify for.

**joyofsix** · 08-06-2011, 08:30 AM

I would only take free stuff offered for those who cannot afford it if I really can't afford it and my kids would suffer. Now, if some friend offers me a bag of clothes or something I'm there! Recently a lady in our church won a free zoo pass. She's 70 so she gave it to my family to use. I took it and thanked her profusely. That I can appreciate. As others have said I 1) Don't want to take taxpayer money if I don't NEED to and 2) I like my privacy. That would be why my kids pack lunch. They probably eat better than the nasty school stuff anyway

**dancemommy** · 08-06-2011, 09:22 AM

There are some who feel like they are entitled to free stuff. I HATE that. I live in an upper class area and we have enough money at this point, but recently my children participated in something in a poor part of town. It was interesting speaking to the other parents. They were telling me that their kids get free shoes on the first day of school, free breakfast, etc. The interesting part was that while some of the people truly were needy, others really didn't NEED the free shoes. They were able to buy shoes, etc. Some took them and some did not. When my husband was unemployed I know we could have gotten free lunch at school, but there was no way I was going to take advantage of that. I don't like when people feel entitled, but I do appreciate when truly needy people get what they need. Greed is very different from need. Hey, everyone likes a free lunch now and then and I've taken advantage of legitimate coupons, etc, but I wouldn't take advantage of a program designed for the needy.

**shoiji** · 08-06-2011, 10:07 AM

Personally I like the feeling of getting free stuff with coupons and bogo's. Or feeling like I got something for free because I waited for a sale and used a coupon or found something at a thriftstore/yardsale.

I use my own judgement when it comes to programs for the needy. I do find it frustrating when people use a program and lie about the need.

**Telephus44** · 08-06-2011, 10:18 AM

I wouldn't lie to get something for free, and I wouldn't take something for free if I wasn't the intended audience. So I wouldn't take food from a food pantry if I'm not a family that can't afford food, or a free backpack if I wasn't the family that would have a hard time getting one.

Outside of that, I don't mind getting free things even if I can afford them. I can afford to pay $4 a bottle for shampoo, but if I can get it free with coupons, then I will. I can afford to buy my son a new backpack, but if Staples is offering them free after rebate I'll do that. But in those cases I don't feel like I'm taking things that were intended for others, you know?