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Not that I want to make things more complex, but here are some more variations and/or related expressions that may be of interest.
In Spanish there equivalents such as,
Nadie regala nada.
Nadie da duros a cuatro pesetas. (Spain)
Nadie da algo a cambio de nada.
¿Tú te crees que las cosas las regalan?
¿Crees que alguien te va a regalar algo... por tu cara bonita?
Also, related, as a variation, having to do with "exchange" or maybe "marketing" and "promotion",
El que regala bien vende, si el que lo toma lo entiende.
I.e., some sales people may give another a nice gift, that makes the person who receives it, see its value, and buy more of the same... getting the person as a costumer... or similar concept.
Also somewhat related,
"No hay pan que no cueste una torta"
"les está costando la torta un pan" it’s costing us/them more than we’re/they’re saving o it’s a false economy
"There is no smoke without fire".
"You pays your money and you take/get your chance" (the bad grammar I believe is in the original 'expression'.)
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