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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask what little freebies you get in life?

138 replies

Funfreethings · 10/07/2025 13:20

So not much in life is free…we all know that.
im moving house soon and i was on the hunt for boxes so i asked in work. The waste management guys told me they would keep some boxes to the side for me. When I went down he had a stack for me already flattened so I could get them in my car and he gave me a big roll of tape to use also. I was so happy, I feel like I’m haemorrhaging money at the moment so even though it was something small it made such a difference for me.
we also have free tea/coffee/milk/water in work! Love that too!
whats your freebie? ☺️

OP posts:
Gingernaut · 10/07/2025 20:25

I work in a place with a lot of confidential waste

Every couple of weeks the shredder lorry comes, the guys bring the bins out and under our manager's supervision, the bins are emptied and shredded on site

I bring my domestic confidential waste in, post it in to the top of the bin and it gets shredded with the work stuff

As long as I don't take the piss, I get my confidential waste shredded for free

Tiree1965 · 10/07/2025 20:20

Free Sky from work and a free bus pass from the Scottish government as I’m 60.

Member974245 · 10/07/2025 20:17

I try and use the Octopus free Greggs coffee each week (there isn't a Cafe Nero close enough to get that which would be nicer). It feels like a little win.

okydokethen · 10/07/2025 20:16

The best was my old job where I got a parking permit for my town that could be used any time/weekends/evenings etc - that felt like a win.

Now I don’t get freebies, except from my wealthy and generous sister who sends things my way.

XenoBitch · 10/07/2025 20:12

DM has a cleaning company, so I have not paid for cleaning stuff for years.

CarpetKnees · 10/07/2025 20:11

On turning 60, I was quite excited to hear I would get free prescriptions.
Though I've not needed a prescription since, so not sure if that counts ?

When my older two were looking round Universities, we quite enjoyed getting a haul of cotton shopping bags, pens and highlighters, but they seemed to have all dried up by the time dc3 was looking.

BeachPossum · 10/07/2025 20:06

ConnieHeart · 10/07/2025 17:59

Did they just tell you your coffee is free? Is it random?

Yep, when I got to the till to pay they just said 'this one's on us, have a nice day'.

I think the staff are allowed to give a certain number of freebies each month so I guess it's up to them to choose who gets them.

CoffeeCakeAndALattePlease · 10/07/2025 18:57

After Covid they closed our office and put us all on wfh contracts. Now when we have team meetings or other meetings which need to be face to face we get to book a venue including lunch 😊

Robotnik · 10/07/2025 18:50

I have 3 book swap boxes in a 5 minute walking radius from my house that all sprung up over covid. I've just scrolled back through my Goodreads and I've had (and read) six books from those this year alone, and am currently reading a seventh. I make sure to put good ones back in, too.

DeffoNeedANameChange · 10/07/2025 18:48

We get free lunch at my work - it's the absolute best thing about my whole job.

CastleCrasher · 10/07/2025 18:41

Sidebeforeself · 10/07/2025 15:49

Are you my husband?! He keeps getting free pairs too and we are drowning in them !

How are you all getting these free socks??? I love bamboo socks almost as much a i live a freebie!

Usuallytootiredbuthappyanyway · 10/07/2025 18:38

At my place of work we get fruit on Tuesdays, free tea, coffee and milk, sanitary products in the loos, lunch once a month and a free day off, on or around our birthday. None of it is fancy or extravagant but it makes a difference!

socialdilemmawhattodo · 10/07/2025 18:24

Sidebeforeself · 10/07/2025 15:49

Are you my husband?! He keeps getting free pairs too and we are drowning in them !

I know a charity for outgrown shoes, mostly children's and teens, who dont actively source new socks, but will pass them on (Sals Shoes), and a charity for new underwear and lightly worn bras. But I am not sure of any charities who take new socks specifically.

Hollowvoice · 10/07/2025 18:07

Oh and I won pantomime tickets one time (oh yes I did!)

BridgetRandomfuck · 10/07/2025 18:05

I work in publishing so get a LOT of free books. I’ve had to stop bringing them home with me as they were piling up and I don’t get around to reading them,

emilystar0976 · 10/07/2025 18:05

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JustGoClickLikeALightSwitch · 10/07/2025 18:02

Another one - DD (7) always get something free at Pret. I assume it’s because that particular branch very rarely gets children in. Literally every time.

emilystar0976 · 10/07/2025 18:01

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Hollowvoice · 10/07/2025 18:00

I once got my M&S shopping free with my Sparks card.

ConnieHeart · 10/07/2025 17:59

BeachPossum · 10/07/2025 15:59

Oh this happened to me a few weeks ago too! Totally made my day.

Did they just tell you your coffee is free? Is it random?

JustGoClickLikeALightSwitch · 10/07/2025 17:54

I work in a food bank. Obviously our aim is to give away food and we do, about a tonne a week, but when there is still some left AND it can’t be stored AND we have asked around other local food projects/soup kitchens/homeless shelters etc - the volunteers can help themselves. This week I got slightly past-it broccoli and a half loaf of nice bread.

Dontlletmedownbruce · 10/07/2025 17:45

Dh has a parking space in the city and I park there whenever I want to go shopping or have an appointment.

I can bring my kids to work if there is a random school closure day.

ManyATrueWord · 10/07/2025 17:45

I was on the Parish Council for a while. I got a free guided tour of the sewage works 😂

Fgfgfg · 10/07/2025 17:42

Mimsykins · 10/07/2025 14:14

Love this! Definitely my favourite freebie story.

I read it as though she wanted children and ran away because she was fed up of having her eggs stolen

SingleAHF · 10/07/2025 17:38

Nothing. Zilch. Nada.

Jealous!