"If it's free, it's for me"

Retailers know that consumers love free stuff. “If it’s free, it’s for me” is a popular consumer saying.

“If it’s free, it’s for me” has been cited in print since at least 1985, when it was printed in the bestselling Jackie Collins novel Lucky.

Google Books
Lucky
By Jackie Collins
New York, NY: Pocket Books
1986, ©1985
Pg. 390:
“If it’s free, it’s for me. ‘Scuse us, chicks, we’re gonna see a man about a dog.”

21 March 1990, Orlando (FL) Sentinel“It’s not brain surgery, it’ just radio: Morning-man Ron Bisson masters the 4-hour workday” by Susan M. Barbieri, pg. E1:
“His slogan at KSJ always was, ‘If it’s free, it’s for me.’ So he gets free air fare, free hotel and free entry into the golf tournament.”

4 February 1991, The Daily Northwestern (Northwestern University, Evanston, IL), pg. 17, col. 3 ad:
Free food
Free movies
Free message boards
‘If it’s free, it’s for me”
(Student BloodServices—ed.)

Google Books
The Official America Online Tour Guide
By Tom Lichty
Chapel Hill, NC: Ventana Press
1992
Pg. 125:
That way I’ll have matching sets to go with my 500+ 1991 Hallmark Ornament Collector Books with the nice photo of the Enterprise inside (If it’s free, it’s for me!).

TV Envy
TUESDAY JUNE 20, 2006 4:13 PM
ABC’s Free Internet TV Trial Run a Success
Posted by Christina Furtado
(...)
The trial run will still end on June 30 as originally planned. As much as I like the iTunes model, I can see why this is working. Like my mom says, “If it’s free, it’s for me!”

Google Books
My Life Or His Death
By Damon R. Matthews
Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse
2010
Pg. 197:
“Bitch, free food and free items? I’m already ready. You know my motto, if it’s free it’s for me, I’ll take three!” he yelled out and we both began cracking up.

WriteOnNewJersey.com
If It’s Free, It’s for Me!
Posted on 31 March 2011
Everyone has heard of the expression, “If it’s free, it’s for me.” The word “free” mesmerizes us. The sheer thought of getting something for nothing gives us a rush of adrenaline. But for everything that you may think is free, think again, even if you are spending a penny or a dollar for a so-called free item.

YouTube
If It’s Free, It’s for Me! | Extreme Couponing
TLC·3,030 videos
Published on Nov 11, 2011
If Heather won the lottery she’d buy a bigger house to hold a bigger stockpile.