Show Publishing recently reported $13,000 of sales, $5,500 of operating costs other than depreciation, and $1,250 of depreciation. The company had $3,500 of bonds with a 6.25% interest rate, and its federal-plus-state income tax rate was 21%. During the year, the firm had expenditures on fixed assets and net operating working capital that totaled $1,550. These expenditures were necessary to sustain operations and generate future sales and cash flows.

What was its free cash flow?

Also, what does free cash flow mean to a company?