When Free Isn't Free

All you can eat! Free!

Who doesn't love a deal? Getting something for nothing always seems like a good plan, especially to a natural frugalista like me. What could be wrong with getting something for free?


But think of the buy-one-get-one-free deals. Well, that just means that it's 50% off and you end up with more. That's good, right? But was it something you would have bought anyway, or are you 'settling' just because it's cheap? As someone who despises (and battles) clutter, I have to ask myself this question every time I make a purchase. I'm still using colored pens that I bought at Costco about 12 years ago. Sure, such a deal.  But now that I no longer keep a food journal, they sit unloved. But really, unless you teach elementary school or journal in fun colors, how often do you use a green or purple pen?

Perhaps you see why I gave up journalling? These were 'light' entries.

One of the most important lessons I've learned about freebies has to do with breakfast buffets. Anyone who knows me well knows that I do not eat a traditional breakfast. First of all, I'm not hungry in the mornings. Second of all, I often train successfully on a nearly-empty stomach. Finally, if I eat proper, chewable 'food' (balanced macronutrients and sufficient calories) at breakfast, it seems to awaken The Beast and then The Beast is ravenous and foraging for food all day long until I go to sleep at night. The only foods that seems to slip past The Beast undetected are smoothies, or something light like a protein muffin, fruit or some nuts. 

Typical late breakfast (possibly more of the same later)

Toppings for sure- these are my personal favorites

Now let's move on to the 'freebie' issue while traveling. Due to Derek's line of work in the travel industry, we are lucky enough to get good deals on cruises (aka floating buffets), and I also tag along with him on business trips. Sometimes we are fortunate enough to get free breakfasts- a nice problem to have, unquestionably. But just as "Freedom isn't Free," neither is the free breakfast. Not for me, anyway. I will explain.


If I give in to the temptation to "take advantage" of the deal, and just eat the breakfast meal, I set myself up for dietary disaster for the rest of the day. If I do this every day, I set myself up for failure for the entire trip. This means that I come home much heavier than I left and makes me unhappy that I can't wear clothing on Day 7 that I could wear on Day 1. Turns out breakfast isn't free for me one little bit. It comes at a huge cost to my well-being. Coming home from a trip miserable sucks. So I decided to just say no to the free breakfast. 

Even healthy smoked salmon in the foreground will awaken The Beast

So tempting, but best for me to just have a tiny bit of fruit at breakfast, if any at all.

Plenty of time later in the day for this deliciousness.

On the other hand, Derek would be insane to turn away a free breakfast. Often, he eats so much and so late, that his breakfast even carries him over past lunchtime. For him, it's a sweet deal. Especially if chocolate muffins are involved.  
 

I get a muffin top just thinking about having this for breakfast

Derek, on the other hand can happily partake in a chocolate muffin for breakfast (and more, plenty more)

You might be wondering what I do instead of eating the free breakfast? You can call me crazy if you want to, but this is what works for me. I will have tea or coffee (with probably half a cup of milk) with Derek while he eats and not feel deprived one bit. After all, I'm not hungry. However, if there is something very special on the menu that I can't get at home, I will have a taster. I'm not insane, after all! Then I'll have either a smoothie or something light a bit later, when I am really and truly hungry (or after my workout). I see this as listening to my body, and it works for me. It probably would not work for you!

Oh, this is a very exciting Southern Delicacy to a California girl!

Look at the flecks of cheese!

Note! Please do not misinterpret this post as a call to toss your wonderful bowls of oatmeal out the window.  Most people could not function in this way and I would never, ever suggest this way of living for others. But this is what works for me. You should only ever do what works for YOU! 

This could be you at breakfast. But it's not me.

Bottom line: Skipping monetary freebies that are in fact psychologically or physically costly to myself is in fact, priceless.

Q: What about you? What's the best freebie you ever got? Which are ones that work for you? That work against you? Are you a breakfast eater? Anyone else have A Beast living in their abdomen?