This can lead to a situation where the user starts accumulating debt without even realizing it. The company may also offer credit or financing options that can further increase the debt load. In some cases, users may get stuck in a cycle of debt and struggle to get out.



It is important for users to be aware of the terms and conditions of any free trial or subscription service they sign up for. They should read the fine print carefully and understand the payment and cancellation policies. It is also a good idea to regularly review credit card statements and account balances to ensure that unexpected charges are not being made.

When signing up for a free instance, you are often asked to provide your bank card details. It may seem unnecessary since the instance is free, but companies use this as an opportunity to withdraw funds for paid services in the future – sometimes without the user even realizing it. While some users are misled into believing that this information is needed for identification purposes, in reality, the company is more interested in generating revenue.

There are numerous pitfalls to watch out for when using "free rates". Even after months of not using the free service, customers may be charged for paid services without their knowledge.

The legality of this practice is often outlined in the user agreement that is signed upon registration. Users may unknowingly agree to the provision of paid services after the free trial period ends. Companies are aware that many users do not read the terms and conditions thoroughly, making it easier to take advantage of them.

Even if users do read the terms of the agreement and try to terminate the subscription before the end of the free period, companies may still charge them for paid services. Some businesses are upfront about this possibility and encourage users to terminate the subscription in a timely manner. However, even with such warnings, some users still fail to take appropriate action, due to cognitive distortions, such as the belief in a just world.

Despite these deceptive practices, some users who forget to terminate the contract end up becoming voluntary subscribers. They rationalize this decision by convincing themselves that it was a good investment or a lucky opportunity. This phenomenon is known as creative self-deception, which allows people to turn defeat into victory.

Many cloud service providers use this scheme to attract new users. They offer bonuses and "free quotas" to encourage users to upgrade to paid versions of the service. Oftentimes, when using one free service, customers go beyond their quota and are charged the maximum amount for another service.

It is crucial for users to be vigilant when signing up for free instances and subscription services, and to take the time to carefully read through all terms and conditions. Regularly checking credit card statements and account balances can also help prevent unexpected charges.

Google Colab is an astonishing cloud service that sets itself apart from the rest. Unlike other microservices that take up minimal memory and processing power, it operates with neural networks that require immense resources. Each instance can consume more than 16 GB of video memory (VRAM) and runs the CPU and GPU at full capacity for hours on end.

It's difficult to understand why Google would offer a service that requires such an enormous amount of resources without any cost. It's a wonder how they can even sustain such a service when it undoubtedly costs them billions. It begs the question, what could be their motive for offering this service for free?

Occasionally, I've discovered that Amazon's support team issues refunds or cancels charges for new accounts when users forget about their free tier subscription. While some may find this odd, it's important to remember that free tiers are often offered as a way to entice customers and familiarize them with the service, ultimately leading to paid services in the future. It's crucial to read and understand the terms and conditions before signing up for any free tier service.

In fact, many companies use free tiers as a marketing strategy to attract new customers and introduce them to their services. The free tier serves as a way to showcase the company's offerings and entice users to upgrade to paid services. However, it's important for users to understand the limitations of the free tier and to keep track of any subscriptions they sign up for to avoid unexpected charges.

While there may be many criticisms of Oracle Cloud, one advantage is that it's impossible to accidentally spend money without enabling subscriptions. This is not the case with services like AWS where users can rack up significant fees without realizing it.

Although a free instance in Oracle Cloud may be rebooted after the first month of the trial, it will not be touched again. Users can take advantage of this to utilize high-end resources without incurring any costs. For instance, a 48 GB RAM machine can be used for extended periods of time without any charges.

When studying AWS, it's important to use a personal card and be aware of all actions taken to avoid unintentionally spending money. As long as users are conscious and do not run large instances or clusters, it's unlikely they will accrue more than $3-10 per month. When considering the salaries of cloud professionals, this amount is negligible.

It's essential for cloud service users to be mindful of their usage to avoid unexpected charges. While some services may offer free trials or instances, it's important to read and understand the terms and conditions to fully optimize the benefits without falling into any financial traps.

These companies are masters of psychological manipulation, using tactics like "creative self-deception" to convince users that they're getting a good deal, when in reality, they're just perpetuating a cycle of debt. And let's be real, who doesn't love the idea of getting something for nothing? It's a tempting prospect, to say the least. But, as the old adage goes, "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is."

The problem is, these companies are counting on our cognitive biases to do their dirty work. They know that most of us don't read the terms and conditions thoroughly, and that we're more likely to ignore the fine print than to actually take the time to understand it. And once we're hooked, it's hard to get out. The fees and charges seem to appear out of nowhere, and before we know it, we're drowning in debt.
I'm here to tell you that it's not all doom and gloom. There are ways to avoid these pitfalls and stay financially savvy. First and foremost, always read the fine print. Don't just skim over the terms and conditions - actually take the time to understand what you're getting yourself into. And don't be afraid to ask questions. If something seems unclear or unclear, don't hesitate to reach out to the company and ask for clarification.

Be vigilant when signing up for free trials and subscription services. Don't just blindly agree to the terms and conditions without taking the time to read them. And don't be afraid to cancel if you realize that the service isn't what you expected. Remember, it's always better to be safe than sorry.
Regularly check your credit card statements and account balances to ensure that you're not being charged for services you're not using. It's a simple step, but it can make all the difference in avoiding financial trouble.

Free cloud instances may seem enticing, but hidden costs lurk beneath the surface. Limited resources, lack of support, and potential overage fees can catch you off guard. As your needs grow, scalability often comes with a price, turning 'free' into an expensive long-term investment.