According to Merriam-Webster...
not determined by anything beyond its own nature or being: choosing or capable of choosing for itself
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English frēo; akin to Old High German frī free, Welsh rhydd, Sanskrit priya own, dear
According to me...
Getting free water with a meal vs. buying a 4-dollar water at a baseball game. Leaving work when someone else is just getting there. Free is going to college for years and having a job that gives you allowances for vehicles, insurance and phone.
Finding ways around spending money on non-necessary things vs. being an impulsive buyer. Getting a car handed to you compared to buying ones’ own. Getting a gift and buying a gift. “buying” love and appreciating, enjoying, loving love.
"Free." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 6 Mar. 2017.