No Free Lunch
Every gain comes with a trade-off or hidden cost that must be paid.
Also known as: TANSTAAFL, There ain't no such thing as a free lunch, There is no free lunch, No free meal
Category: Principles
Tags: economics, decision-making, principles, thinking
Explanation
"There ain't no such thing as a free lunch" (TANSTAAFL) is an economic adage expressing that it is impossible to get something for nothing. Even when something appears free, there is always a cost paid by someone, somewhere, in some form. The phrase originated in American saloons that offered "free" lunches to patrons who purchased drinks. The concept applies universally: free software may cost your privacy, free advice may come with strings attached, shortcuts may incur technical debt, and quick wins often sacrifice long-term value. In decision-making and knowledge work, this principle reminds us to identify hidden costs before committing - time, attention, opportunity cost, maintenance burden, or future flexibility. Understanding this helps avoid naive optimism and make more realistic assessments of true costs and benefits.
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