Are Marketing Offers Really Free?

Nothing in life is for free, some argue, and I tend to agree with this sentiment in some cases. When this statement is made, the understanding, is that in a value based system, we exchange value and therefore seek it in all exchanges. Be careful, however, to avoid the mistake of thinking in terms of currency, or physical goods all the time.

We exchange value in various ways apart from through money, or exchange of goods or services. Value can also be derived in other ways that encompass the  concepts of time, effort, and attention. Even if you do not make a payment, or exert yourself, you can exchange value by simply spending time on something, with someone, or by paying attention to something, or someone.

Fairly considered, the statement that says nothing is for free is mainly applicable in economic exchanges, where goods and services are being traded. In these cases, either party in the transaction is expecting to find value, for which the other party will need to be fairly and adequately compensated. Particularly note that, like stated before, this compensation does not have to take the form of currency.

Whilst it is impossible to get anything for free in the economic sense, it is absolutely possible to acquire some things of value, at no direct cost to yourself. After all, someone also did say that, the best things in life are free. Examples of free things can take many forms from the air we breathe, to certain types of software. All of considerable value.