Amazon Prime Worth It?

[cypher1]

Who cares if things add up. Like you said, you by far have the money. Stop sweating the small things.. Its interesting...as I get older, I care less about my spending habits. And by older, im not quite to 40 yet. Only you can make the call if the convenience is worth it. Thats some serious soul searching you're going to do and really question whether an amazon subscription is worth it in 2020. This is really one of those fork in the road decisions.

I am under 40, and understand the idea of not sweating the small things. But I agree with myrdale, that even if i (or others) can afford all those services but would hardly use, I see no need to throw away extra money if even if its only $10 per month.

Who cares if things add up? All the people that I know that say that phrase, 5 seconds later complain about not having money for a trip, or push off a car repair or neglect home repairs, or make excuses why they can't save for retirement. But they don't worry since they have the latest iphone/macbook, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, HBO subscriptions to entertain them, and perfectly content to have car payments, while following the latest fashion trends. And I'm NOT implying you follow that particular category.

[disneysteve]

I am under 40, and understand the idea of not sweating the small things. But I agree with myrdale, that even if i (or others) can afford all those services but would hardly use, I see no need to throw away extra money if even if its only $10 per month.

Who cares if things add up? All the people that I know that say that phrase, 5 seconds later complain about not having money for a trip, or push off a car repair or neglect home repairs, or make excuses why they can't save for retirement. But they don't worry since they have the latest iphone/macbook, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, HBO subscriptions to entertain them, and perfectly content to have car payments, while following the latest fashion trends. And I'm NOT implying you follow that particular category.

I agree. Just because you can afford something doesn't mean you should.

I listen to a podcast that has a Patreon account and provides all kinds of extra content if you subscribe, particularly at the $10/month level. I love the team and their content but there's just no way I'm spending $10/month to gain access. Sure I can afford it. I make plenty of money and that wouldn't even be a blip on our budget. I just see no value in it.

None of us can really tell you, OP, if Prime will be worth it to you. That's for you to decide. I would suggest taking a look at some of the things you get beyond free shipping like their video, music, e-books, etc. You might find some of that stuff lends added value that would be worthwhile to you, or not.

[rennigade]

I am under 40, and understand the idea of not sweating the small things. But I agree with myrdale, that even if i (or others) can afford all those services but would hardly use, I see no need to throw away extra money if even if its only $10 per month.

Who cares if things add up? All the people that I know that say that phrase, 5 seconds later complain about not having money for a trip, or push off a car repair or neglect home repairs, or make excuses why they can't save for retirement. But they don't worry since they have the latest iphone/macbook, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, HBO subscriptions to entertain them, and perfectly content to have car payments, while following the latest fashion trends. And I'm NOT implying you follow that particular category.

Thats something only an individual person can answer...which makes it more odd that another amazon prime thread would be started.

Almost all of my friends are terrible with money too and have that same attitude. I was only referring to people here who are aware of their spending, who save, who live below their means. Those are the people that can take a breather and stop worrying so much, imo anyway. Everyones different though. If someone here wants to analyze every expense they have or may have, more power. I used to be that person...fortunately, I no longer have to.

[disneysteve]

I was only referring to people here who are aware of their spending, who save, who live below their means. Those are the people that can take a breather and stop worrying so much, imo anyway. Everyones different though. If someone here wants to analyze every expense they have or may have, more power. I used to be that person...fortunately, I no longer have to.

I can appreciate that point of view, too, as I've expressed here at various times. Our monthly surplus (income over expenses) is somewhere around $6,000. A $10/month subscription is completely insignificant. Still, though, I don't just want to throw money away. I'm happy to spend the $10 if I value what I'm getting for it.

It all comes down to a personal decision.

[cypher1]

Thats something only an individual person can answer...which makes it more odd that another amazon prime thread would be started.

Almost all of my friends are terrible with money too and have that same attitude. I was only referring to people here who are aware of their spending, who save, who live below their means. Those are the people that can take a breather and stop worrying so much, imo anyway. Everyones different though. If someone here wants to analyze every expense they have or may have, more power. I used to be that person...fortunately, I no longer have to.

Agreed. I have to remind myself that the majority of the followers on this forum are still a minority when it comes to saving and investing, in comparison of the majority of spenders we all know. So I'm sure most of us tend to over analyze our spending habits, and constantly applying a need vs want mentality or minimize expenses. I am guilty of those factors, but also tend to splurge on certain hobbies like traveling or collecting certain items.

[~bs]

kinda thinking of switching off of netflix and getting amazon instead. anyone miss netflix once they got rid of it (online only)?

[disneysteve]

kinda thinking of switching off of netflix and getting amazon instead. anyone miss netflix once they got rid of it (online only)?

Unless something drastically changes about Netflix I don’t see us ever dropping it. Probably 90% of my TV viewing is on Netflix at this point and has been for at least the last 2-3 years.

[Like2Plan]

We pay $2.00 a month for Netflix for multiple users as part of our cellphone package. I think it is worthwhile.

[james.hendrickson]

Have you guys considered the opportunity cost of having Netflix? Assume you watched an hour a day of netflix (which is modest). What could you do if instead of watching netflix you read a great book on finance an hour a day or invested that time in developing a second income stream? Where would you be after 6 months or after a year?

[disneysteve]

Have you guys considered the opportunity cost of having Netflix? Assume you watched an hour a day of netflix (which is modest). What could you do if instead of watching netflix you read a great book on finance an hour a day or invested that time in developing a second income stream? Where would you be after 6 months or after a year?

James, that question could be asked about any non-work activity at all. Just think how much time I spend on this site. Maybe I should abandon it and spend every waking minute trying to make more money. Where would I be in 6-12 months? I'd be exhausted and burned out from not taking time to relax and enjoy life.

I spend 36 hours a week working. If I also spend 7 hours a week watching Netflix, I'm okay with that.

[cypher1]

Have you guys considered the opportunity cost of having Netflix? Assume you watched an hour a day of netflix (which is modest). What could you do if instead of watching netflix you read a great book on finance an hour a day or invested that time in developing a second income stream? Where would you be after 6 months or after a year?

I could also make the argument with how much we spend on our phone each day, whether Netflix, the news, YouTube, or social media. I would go another step further for dedicating an hour to ourselves, by asking how much we spend each day exercising, or at least being physically active throughout the day vs being in front of a screen.

[disneysteve]

I would go another step further for dedicating an hour to ourselves, by asking how much we spend each day exercising, or at least being physically active throughout the day vs being in front of a screen.

I do both. I watch Netflix while I run on the treadmill.

[cypher1]

I do both. I watch Netflix while I run on the treadmill.

I watch YT on the Stairmaster.

[disneysteve]

I watch YT on the Stairmaster.

Some of the treadmills at our gym have internet access so I can log into our Netflix account right on the built in screen.

[bjl584]

Have you guys considered the opportunity cost of having Netflix? Assume you watched an hour a day of netflix (which is modest). What could you do if instead of watching netflix you read a great book on finance an hour a day or invested that time in developing a second income stream? Where would you be after 6 months or after a year?

This is one of those exercises that I see time and time again from life coaches, super successful people, etc. Basically, instead of zoning out at night watching TV or scrolling Facebook, they would read books, attend seminars, grind away at their jobs, etc. And, that is one of the main reasons that they have found the success that they have in life.

I get it. But, there does need to be balance. If you go non stop full speed ahead with work without stopping, then the rest of your life from your health to your relationships will start to fall apart.