Eating for Free

by Andy Hough on February 19, 2009

There are lots of opportunities for for free food.  For example, I receive two free meals from McDonalds each week, I could attend different presentations at school where pizza or other food is served frequently at school, I can receive free meals for doing mystery shops, I often see food for free or better after coupons at sites like MoneySavingMom, IHOP and Denny’s both had free meal promotions this month, and there is the occassional candy dish as well.  With all these ways to get free food I considered trying to go a month eating only free food.  I decided against it though because I knew I would be too tempted to eat my GF’s food.  She probably wouldn’t be real happy with us not going out to dinner for a month either.  I still believe it is possible to eat only free food though.  It probably wouldn’t be a very good diet but you would receive enough calories.

I used to eat well for free when I worked at the casinos when I lived in Nevada.  Almost all casinos serve their employees a free meal with varying degrees of restrictions on how much and when you can eat.  When I worked at the more generous casinos I would come in before my shift and have breakfast, have a quick sandwich lunch during my shift, and then have dinner after my shift.  I only spent money on food during my days off or for an occasional snack or beverage after work.

Anyone have a free food story or tip they want to share?

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{ 8 comments }

Scott @ The Passive Dad February 19, 2009 at 9:50 pm

The only free food I’ve received are bagels left over from a morning boardroom meeting or maybe the occasional sandwich from an afternoon meeting. When the food was announced on our floor people would run to get the cookies, drinks or whatever was left over.

Blake February 20, 2009 at 9:00 am

I’m definitely a fan of free food (what college student isn’t?), but I’m wary of the economic principle that states ‘there’s no such thing as a free lunch’. There’s opportunity costs to everything, including seemingly free goods and services.

That said, the benefit of free food here is often worth the opportunity cost (usually listening to the spiel of the group providing it).

Fabulously Broke February 21, 2009 at 10:08 am

I was going to say – the diet would kill your insides LOL

How about freeganism? Eating food thrown away? Or food on sale in grocery stores at quick sale 50% off?

Or growing your own food.. that’s free-ish.

Andy Hough February 21, 2009 at 12:16 pm

All-It is true that the free food may not be worth the cost.

FB- Freeganism and growing your own food are some good options for free food. I haven’t tried either one of them and I’m not sure if I would try freeganism.

Bob February 21, 2009 at 7:14 pm

I have thought about this a lot. I realize its probably not right, but many hotels offer a nice free breakfast for their guests. I often wondered why I couldn’t just walk in off the street and enjoy a free breakfast. (yes, yes, I know its wrong, but it would be free)

Andy @ Retire at 40 February 21, 2009 at 10:24 pm

I used to work in a fast food restaurant half-way up Mt Rainier near Seattle for a summer. There was not much to do up there except go for hikes and camping out. All our accommodation was free, as was all our food. We had to buy alcohol but then, I only drank twice in about a month and a half (didn’t need to).

All in all, though our wages weren’t great we saved up enough to go traveling afterwards (which was the plan all along). It was awesome!

Andy Hough February 22, 2009 at 4:14 pm

Bob- I used to work in a hotel with a free breakfast buffet and I’m sure people occasionally sneaked in but I wouldn’t do it.

Andy- That sounds like a great summer.

Kathy F February 25, 2009 at 2:55 pm

I have gotten free food off my local Freecycle group. People give away stuff because they are cleaning out their cabinets or they bought some products they don’t like or whatever.

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