There’s a big push on the internet to give things away - content, music, services. It’s creating a trend where people are beginning to get angry when they’re expected to pay for something…Somewhere along the line the meaning of that old saying that, ”There’s no such thing as a free lunch,“ was lost.

As a writer, artist, and designer I give away a lot of time, information, help and advice. LOVE doing it - most of the time. I say most of the time because a lot of people have made a lot of money from my free advice and services. None of them have come back to offer me payment for my services or hire me at my going rate. Fewer still have passed along the benefit to others for free. So, the idea that *FREE* is a way to generate sales, or change the world doesn’t really work for me. But I still give. I give because I enjoy helping. I give because there are services and causes that I support because I believe in their mission and work. But I’ve stopped giving altogether because I expect something in return. I’ve also started charging for things I used to do for free. I pick and choose who and were I will give my time and services to. I budget that time in as part of my charity work. “FREE,” as I practice it now, is out of true altruism. I expect nothing financial in return. I DO expect that the person/organization who I give to will use my gifts to make the world, or a small part of it, a better place somehow.

There is no shortage of people who want something for nothing, and there is also no shortage of deserving charities and people who will take my offering and, like Jesus and the five loaves and five fishes, turn it into a feast for thousands. I try hard to choose organizations and individuals who have the potential to do that, or have proven that they can and will improve their corner of the world.

However, I’m not giving away things anymore just because people ask, want it or expect it. I’m investing in people who can’t afford me, but who will give back - if not to me, then to the world. And sorry - no, that doesn’t mean helping make you rich if you’re poor now. When my landlord and car dealers start giving me free rent and cars JUST because I *can’t afford it* - we’ll talk.

People, especially the ones who got everything for free then went on to make money from my free help, aren’t very happy with that. I wish those people well as they move on to use and abuse other people in their lives. I won’t miss you.

There’s the chiropractor who charges patients $200 an hour, then calls me to ask my FREE advice and suggestions for promoting his business. He then hires foreign laborers at $2 an hour to write his copy and design his websites based on my input rather than pay me….not cool. That’s just cheap and sleazy. Don’t call again unless you want to pay for my time/advice. I’m in business too.

There’s the struggling young entrepreneur who *can afford* a $5,000 splurge to attend a trade show to ”get ideas,“ but then *can’t* afford my $500 fee for copy writing and designing a brochure that will bring in customers who will PAY to get the product of those ideas. Yes. You CAN afford it. You CHOOSE not to pay a professional for something you think you can get for free just because you friended me on a social media network. Not happening.

I’m all for providing samples, talking about your project and investing some of my time to see if we’re going to be a good fit. I’m not happy about not getting a return on my investment because someone doesn’t value my work enough to pay for it and is just fishing for free content, ideas or ways to implement something. Why, I ask, is my input *good enough* when it’s free, but not when there’s a price tag on it? If you value it, and me, then please don’t demean yourself by wanting something for nothing.

The fact is, ”There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch,“ is true. When I give away a free ebook I expect something in return - I either expect you to act on the ideas in the book and make the world or yourself a better person in some way, or to pass it on to someone who will if you won’t. Or, I expect you to be so wowed by the content you buy other products/books from me. I think that’s pretty true for everyone in business for themselves.

I love helping people, but I expect them to pass on that help, not hoard it. I don’t do what I do to supplement your bank account while depleting mine. I give freely of my time, of my money when I have it, and of my support, energy, emotions and ideas. I ask that you do the same. I’m not opposed to FREE, I just think people don’t grasp the power and purpose of it. I think giving has been commercialized and abused. I choose not to be part of that bastardization of FREE anymore. So, I still give, but I also charge.

I’m asking you to consider why you do things for free, why you charge people, why you help people and how you treat the businesses and people who give you free things. If you’re taking that calendar, or t-shirt, yes, it’s part of their advertising budget. They expect their name and number to be around so you’ll call when you need what they’re selling. They are not supplementing your office budget by providing you free memo pads and pens for the hell of it. FREE? Yes and no.

FREE worries me because like anything not taken or given in moderation, it can become a liability. Give away too much and you end up poor, broke and unable to take care of yourself. Don’t give away anything and you stunt your soul and miss out on the joy of giving. Take advantage of too much free without giving back or reciprocating and you become greedy and selfish and thought poorly of by friends and businesses alike.

FREE is NOT FREE. It is a form of currency, whether emotional, spiritual or karmic. You can’t keep taking without the universe coming around to take some of back. You have to keep the flow going. Volunteer, charge for your services, respect those who charge for theirs. Value people who give freely, but don’t take advantage of them. Send them clients, send them gifts, support, encourage and promote them every chance you can.

Rethink your stance on FREE and ask yourself how you’re valuing yourself and others by how you use FREE in your life.