Watch out when you're given something for "free"

We recently acquired a faster internet system in the house for my husband's work. It included a free 6-month subscription to movies. We didn't ask for it; it came with the system.

How could we say, "No?"

I grew up watching television and always enjoyed the movies. I remember - dare I admit it? - doing homework in front of the television. Sunday was a day when I could watch two movies instead of one!

When I married, my husband and I decided not to have a television. We did not want to raise children who would be glued to the TV as I was. That first year of marriage I experienced withdrawal every evening without a TV.

Now, with my children out-of-the-house and the computer available for my private use, I could once again indulge in watching movies.

So I downloaded and opened up the program to see what it offered. After weeding through the pop-ups, I found that I could select movies based on their ratings (G, PG, etc.). In addition, there was an interesting selection of old movies.

Now I had the ability to watch movies at my computer without any bother. What an easy form of entertainment. And it was totally free!

Or was it?

Every night I thought about watching a movie. I knew that it was a waste of time; I'd enjoy reading or writing far more. But I was tempted nevertheless to watch it because it was available and free.

I toyed with this idea for a whole week, finding that I was too busy to take the 1 1/2 or 2 hours out for movie-watching.

Ironically, I even felt guilty for not taking advantage of this free service!

After two weeks, I had enough.

I uninstalled the program.

What a blessing.

Now I know why I'm at the computer. Now I have the unbiased choice of doing what I want, without this free offer staring at me.

I've avoided the hook. I'm swimming free.