Exactly, so let's not repeat that mistake!

Essentially this is the promise of the blockchain. Imagine one massive global database where anyone can store anything in encrypted form. Free, forever.

I was under the impression that you paid for a transaction. That wouldn't be free, would it?

Paying puts your transaction near the head of the queue. This matters more when there's a backlog. If you're willing to wait for things to clear up, you don't need to pay. https://bitcoinfees.net/

There is no free lunch. That goes double for proof of work algorithms.