What Does It Mean, “Free”?

How many people get suckered in by free online competitions? How many people find a site and then get flashed that they are a winner? How many people who are financially challenged suddenly win something only to find that there are hidden costs to the win?

This situation I have come across not only for myself but also for others who are in the same financial situation. We are not the “jet setters” or “business tycoons” or even the comfortably well-off family members who always have enough money to buy what they need and what they want or desire.

No!!! We are the ones who work hard every day of our lives just to make enough money to feed our families, and if we are lucky, to afford a small treat because things are looking a little better than usual. Sometimes, if we can manage it, we may be able to save a bit to take the family out for the day, that is, if we can afford the high petrol costs that seem to be running rampant around the world today.

So when we go online for a bit of surfing, we are all too ecstatic to come across a site that says “You have Won”…. We go through the process as required online, excited that finally our hard work and sacrifices are gonna be rewarded by a “free holidy” for the family. As we go through the process, talking with the person at the other end of the telephone, we continually ask, “what is this gonna cost me”, with the reply being “nothing”. And so on we go, giving them the details they require and in exchange hearing the wonderful free holiday just won.

Excitement soon dwindles when you find out that there are “hidden costs”, e.g. security fees, flight fees, docking fees for cruise, room surcharges, etc. On and on it goes. By the time you’ve gone through everything, you find the “free holiday” is gonna cost at least $2-3,000.

So what does free mean? Does it not mean everything is free and if it is not, then shouldn’t this be told to you from the very beginning, instead of after the credit card has been verified and debited? When you get something for free, is it not at no cost whatsoever?

Many things are advertised “free” online, until you click on it, and go through the registry process etc, then do you find an added fee. This seems to be the same for Work from home online businesses. Just sign up for free, that is, until you fill in the details and then the next webpage comes up asking for credit card details to pay the one time fee of $$ …..whatever they deem it to be.

When did the word “free” change from no cost to become at a minimal cost? Is there anyone who knows or is this what we have come to in this day and age and the world we live in? Does this mean nothing is for free, and if so does this include love? What cost is there on this commodity in today’s world? Is “free speech” really free? When we give to someone freely, is it really free or is a “payback” expected. Interesting don’t you think?