Subscriptions are sometimes the better route than to buy magazines off the stands at full price. Subscriptions can sometimes save you a couple or so copies a year or get some value-added gifts for your troubles. But magazine subscriptions can be quite expensive in the long run.

If you’re only out for a great reads (and not one of those die-hard collectors who swear by mint condition copies), one tip is to take a trip to your local recycling center and look at the magazine bin. You’ll be surprised at home many people discard month-old and even current-issue magazines. This way you can even just beg them off from being recycled or pay for them at a very cheap price.

A friend of mine swears by buying back issues. He may be three months late in his magazine reading but some back issues depreciate by as much as 50% by that time. So he enjoys keeping his collection even if he’s not up to date. At least he saves as 50% off the cover price.

However, don’t discount getting savings from subscription. Calculating the costs of yearly subscriptions and your commitment to reading would give you a good idea if you really are getting the better deal.