These days, it feels like more and more things either have memberships or subscriptions. However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Some of these signups are genuinely great—but it takes a keen eye to know what’s worth its weight in gold and what’s fluff that’s draining your budget.
Inspired by redditor u/CamHalf, the members of the r/AskReddit online community revealed the top memberships that they personally feel are “100% worth every penny.” Of course, that’s a bold claim. However, many of the internet users were happy to elaborate. Scroll down to see what they had to share!
Bored Panda reached out to the author of the viral thread, redditor u/CamHalf, aka Cameron, who together with Tyler co-hosts the 'Lagers and Loudmouths' podcast. The OP was happy to share his thoughts with us about the types of memberships that are good to embrace and which ones it is best to avoid. Read on for our interview with him!
#21
A gym membership you actually use.
u/pm_me_ur_bidets:
Worth paying extra to join a gym you go to than save money on a gym you dont visit
Worth paying extra to join a gym you go to than save money on a gym you dont visit
20points
Similarly, going out for coffee less often isn't going to magically solve all of your financial worries, but those small savings quickly add up. If you think you've cut back on everything realistic, you may want to consider your options for earning more cash, too.
For instance, it might be time to talk to your boss about that raise you deserve. Or you may want to pick up more hours, get a second job, or start a side hustle. Alternatively, if paying the bills, putting food on the table, and enjoying life is getting next to impossible, it may be time to search for a better-paying (and hopefully more meaningful) job.
What memberships or subscriptions have you personally found are worth every penny, dear Pandas? On the flip side, which ones did you find to be overhyped and not as useful as you thought? Share your experiences in the comments.
#22
AARP.
Most people don't know that you only have to be 18, and the discount I can get at most restaurants is better than the discount I get for being a vet, usually.
Let me say again, you only have to be 18!
Most people don't know that you only have to be 18, and the discount I can get at most restaurants is better than the discount I get for being a vet, usually.
Let me say again, you only have to be 18!
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18points
#23
My university makerspace.
3D printing, 3d scanners, laser cutting, sewing machines, cricut machines, vacuum molding, you name it.
It doesn't have to be for uni related work.
And it's completely free*
*95% of the time, the materials are supplied for you. If you want to use your own material, you can (for example, they only supply 3mm plywood for the laser cutter. If you want 5mm, you need to source it yourself).
17points
#24
PBS Passport. Local TV shows, award winning documentaries, NOVA, and foreign TV for $5 and NO ads! All other streaming services get more expensive each year and the content is usually crappy reality TV or lame romantic comedies.
If you live in the UK, PBS is kind of like our version of the BBC without the licensing fees and we get British imported TV shows.
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16points
#25
I’m a paramedic, please heed this information. If you live outside of a major city, hell, even if your city’s hospital isn’t the best, seriously consider purchasing a membership to your closest air medical helicopter company. The cost isn’t outrageous and it saves you if you ever need to use it. Helicopter bills are expensive and insurance will leave you out to dry on them. It’s in your best interest to inquire about purchasing memberships if they’re offered.
15points
#26
Audible. I pay for the plan with the 1 monthly credit and always find books that take at least that long to listen to on my commute and that cost at LEAST as much as the membership.
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14points
#27
This is maybe not a “membership” but it’s a recurring monthly charge to a service at least.
We pay just shy of $100/month for a guy and his wife to come clean all the dog poop out of our yard twice a week. We have 2 big dogs and 3 little kids. This service is SO incredibly worth it, it’s not even funny. We’d give up the fiber internet package before we gave up “the poop man”.
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14points
#28
AMC Alist - I pay $26 a month for 3 movies a week. At my preferred theatre tickets for that are already $22, so each movie I seen in a month after the first is essentially free. Probably not worth it some months, but in the summer when I see 5-7 movies a month it's fantastic.
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9points
#29
As someone who's in college and writes a s**t ton of essays, Grammerly has been worth every penny. The suggestions and corrections it makes are insanely helpful for writing clear essays.
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9points
#30
Massage and Costco.
Monthly massage (or facial, but I'm all about the massage) is some of the best money I've ever spent.
Costco is worth it for gas alone, with the bonus of basically everything else I get there as well.
8points