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About this quote

What does it mean?
TANSTAAFL summarizes the economic principle that every benefit has a cost.
In plain terms
Nothing is truly free; someone always pays.
What can you take from it?
Everything has a cost.

Where it applies

  • economic discussion
  • policy making
  • daily choices

Putting it to work

  • budgeting
  • policy analysis

Questions to consider

  • Who pays for public goods?
  • Are there any true free lunches?

Another view

Sometimes externalities are not immediately obvious.

More from Robert A. Heinlein

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  3. I will accept the rules that you feel necessary to your freedom. I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I f…

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