buying patterns or free patterns only?

When it comes to crafting from a pattern, do you find yourself more so relying on free patterns, or buying patterns?

I'm sort of on the fence on this one. I *adore* books, and love having my little stash of funky books to both read and work from. But then again, I'm sometimes torn between spending money on actual craft items or on books, so in those cases, I have to rely on what I can get for free.