Yikes! How many magazines are too many?

I am an avid reader, always have been and always will be. This means library books, books from Barnes & Nobles, books from Amazon, borrowed books, garage sale books, the big library book sale every year to name a few, and of course, magazines.

I know I get too many magazines. I have a feeling if you ask my mail carriers they will agree with me. That mail bag must get pretty heavy I've heard as much as 50# at certain times. It wouldn't be hard to add up to that weight if everybody on their route got just one or two. It's not all my fault though. Magazines are like rabbits, put two of them together and all of a sudden you have 25.

Every time you subscribe to one they sell your name and address to a lot of other publishers and before you know it you're on multiple lists and you start getting magazines and catalogs you didn't ask for, in fact, didn't even know were available. Another reason is the Publisher's Clearing House. I know I will never be one of their million dollar winners but they do have good prices and they sucker me in occasionally.

When a new magazine arrives in my mailbox I curl up on the couch with a hot cup of coffee and read it from cover to cover. Or, if it's nice, you'll find me on the front porch swing. Everything from vegetable and flower gardening catalogs to Consumer Digest, This Old House, Better Homes and Gardens, Country Home, Allure, Woman's Day, Backyard Living, cook books, and tools and garden supply catalogs. I wasn't kidding when I said I get too many. Thankfully for the mail carriers they don't come all at the same time!

One of the best parts, after reading all the articles, is to check out the last two or three pages of a magazine. Some of the neatest things are advertised there and, of course, you can subscribe to even MORE free catalogs like ones for designer beds, wicker porch furniture, gorgeous crystal chandeliers advertised as best prices in the country. Notice they don't say LOWEST prices, just best prices, which we all know refers to the best price for them to make the most money.

If you like wine you can even join a wine club and have it delivered to your door once a month. It's not exactly Meals on Wheels but some people would probably like it a lot better. You can find out how to publish your own cookbook and sometimes you can even send for free samples, mostly cosmetics.

My latest find was in one of my gardening how-to magazines. If you have

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Evaluating the number of magazines in today's market?
We want to hear your view. Write now!