Earlier on this year, I took out a subscription to Radio Times magazine, purely because there was an offer on, six issues for £1. It turned out to be a really good deal, as I was offered lots of other magazines at reduced prices. Some of the offers were three issues for £3, some were three issues for £1, and the best deals of all were free copies of certain magazines.
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I've had plenty of magazines dropping through the letterbox just lately, yet I haven't forked out much money for them. It's a case of cancelling the subscription straight after the price of the introductory offer is taken from my bank account, so that I don't incur any further charges for keeping the subscription going.
The Simple Things is a magazine I've heard a lot about on blogs, I was eager to have a look at it myself. It's usual price is £4.99, but this offer was £5 for three copies. I wouldn't even pay the reduced price again, I didn't think much to it.
The English Garden and Homes and Antiques are magazines which I've read before and I enjoy them both. Each of these offers were £1 for three copies, I've still got another two of each to come, something to look forward to.
Countryfile was a freebie. Again, it's a magazine I've read before, there's always interesting articles to read in this magazine.
Simply Crochet was a new magazine for 2013. I paid £5 for the first three copies, which were ok, but I wouldn't pay the full price of £4.99 per issue.
Magazine subscriptions can also be bought with Tesco Clubcard Vouchers and you get a good deal. I used to take out a subscription to Gardener's World Magazine this way, but cancelled the subscription when I found I didn't have time to read the magazines properly.
I think it pays to look for deals on magazines, some are so expensive that popping two or three in to your shopping trolley can significantly increase your bill.
I'd be interested to hear which magazines you enjoy reading.
I'm a big fan of the magazines that some of the supermarkets produce. They often have great recipies and I like the way they make me think more seasonally about our food. Often these mags are free if you have a store loyalty card! Have a good weekend. Jx
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, there's some great free magazines out there. I especially enjoy the Tesco one, they produced a really good edition at Christmas.
DeleteI've never been one for buying magazines regularly, and very glad that I don't nowadays looking at the prices of them! Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely an expense to buy magazines regularly. It's very rare that I buy full priced magazines anymore.
DeleteI love reading home magazines and my favourite is 25 Beautiful Homes - I only ever buy mags from car boots or CSs.
ReplyDeleteLove from Mum
xx
There's often magazines for sale in charity shops, so that's a great tip to keep the costs down. I don't think I've ever read 25 Beautiful Homes.
DeleteI subscribed to Country living and Tony subscribes to Who do you think you are for me. I love them both and really look forward to them dropping through my letter box. I really dont buy many more to be honest and as like mum says I pick up old 'house'type magazines from car boots.My friend Moira at work does bring me in her country homes and interiors which she subscribes to sometimes though.They do all tend to be a bit samey after a while.
ReplyDeleteI've never read Who Do You Think You Are, but I love the programme so I bet I'd like the magazine too. I always pass on my magazines to friends and family when I've finished with them, I like to get my money's worth.
DeleteI'm also a magazine nut, but I'm trying to curb the habit, but sometimes just can't resist. We pay exorbitant prices here in Oz on English magazines, but they are the ones I love the most.
ReplyDeleteHomemaker is a new one I've been purchasing recently and I've bought for many (many) years now, both, Country Living and Country Homes & Interiors. I have watched the editor of Country Living (my namesake) and her twins literally grow from babies to teenagers, which has been interesting. I think we just love reading about things in general and I'm sure that's ok.
It's such a shame you have to pay even more to read the magazines you enjoy. Most people seem to enjoy Country Living, me included.
DeleteI decided in January to stop buying magazines as they weren't inspiring, I didn't have time to read them and they're, more often than not, very expensive for what they are. Six months in and I've still not bought one. Go me! :oD
ReplyDeleteIt does seem like you got a really good deal with this lot!
I set myself the same challenge last year, and don't think I slipped at all, except at Christmas when I allowed myself a treat. It can get really expensive when you buy magazines regularly.
DeleteI buy a magazine occasionally - the one I like the best is Landscape. I do also sometimes buy a Homes magazine after I've had a quick peek inside - if it's wrapped up in packaging I don't buy it, wrapping it up implies there's not much to see!
ReplyDeleteJune
I like to look through a magazine before I buy it too. There's too many magazines now which are just filled with advertising and not much else, so I'm always put off by packaging too.
DeleteWhat a great deal you found on the Radio Times. I only seem to buy that at Christmas. Magazines are getting so expensive these days. I was given a subscription the The Simple Things for my birthday and really like it's mix of topics. I occasionally buy the odd interiors or cooking magazine, sometimes mollie makes, but I've found pinterest and blog reading has radically reduced my need to buy magazines. I can read interesting things and look at pretty pictures online for free! x
ReplyDeleteI believe they've still got the offer on the Radio Times subscription. Just google Radio Times Subscription Offer. You just need to remember to cancel the subscription after they take the pound from your bank account. I was really pleased that I ended up with lots of other offers too, not all of which I took up, but many I did. I agree about blog reading, it does replace the need for magazines.
DeleteI used to be a Serious magazine junkie but have cut down drastically over the last few years. Subscribe to nearly any magazine for long enough and you'll see the same articles recycled again and again. I've just cancelled Gardens Illustrated for that reason, and cancelled the English Garden because I am fed up of most of the featured gardens being in other countries - which part of 'English' don't they understand?
ReplyDeleteI agree about the recycled articles. I think you're best buying different magazines each month for variety as the same magazine tends to repeat itself.
DeleteI would like to buy the Radio Times more often especially for the radio info and the articles and thought about the offer with the voucher that often appears, but was bit wary of being committed to a bank subscription etc. Usually I end up buying the cheapest tv mag. Last week we didn't even get one which says something about our Summer lifestyle when the weather is good!(Reading takes a back seat too). Last week Dear Daughter No 1 got me started with crocheting so have something new and relaxing for an evening.
ReplyDeleteYou just need to remember to cancel your subscription before the full price kicks in. I've had many offers where they take the subscription by direct debit, yet I've never had any problem at all after I've cancelled when they've taken the initial payment. That will be it now you've started crocheting, it's very addictive.
DeleteI used to subscribe to Country Living, but it didn't continue as one it was getting to be so full of adverts and two I just didn't have the time to read them. I had Pretty Nostalgic too, that is a bit more expensive but they are such lovely magazines.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine used to get ALL the different house mags each month and pass them on to me, must have cost her a bomb!
Lisa x
I've never heard of Pretty Nostalgic, I'll have to look out for that one. It's great if you've got a friend who will pass magazines on, but I agree, some people buy so many magazines each month and it must cost them a small fortune.
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