Author Topic: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?  (Read 18480 times)

Gray Matter

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I'm sitting here looking at a stack of about 100 unread magazines.  Somehow, over the years, we've managed to subscribe to (or be gifted) something like 12 different magazines.  I would like to let all of them lapse and want to subscribe to only one magazine.  If you could only subscribe to one magazine, from the list below or otherwise, what would it be?

Current subscriptions:
This Old House
Old House Journal
Shape (stopped subscribing to this one YEARS ago when I decided to accept my shape but they keep sending it)
Health
Skeptic
Psychology Today
Scientific American Mind
National Geographic
The Week
Brain Child
Oprah


Paulie

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #1 on: January 30, 2014, 05:25:47 AM »
I don't know them all, but we have a subscription to the National Geographic and that's also the one I would pick from your list. I like it, because it's not just 1 or 2 page stories that you browse through and you're finished with within an hour. You do need the time to read it though.

EK

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #2 on: January 30, 2014, 06:21:00 AM »
My husband gets our only 2 magazine subscriptions as an annual gift from his god mother-

Harper's
The New York Review of Books

dude

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #3 on: January 30, 2014, 06:21:37 AM »
Alpinist

Boz86

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #4 on: January 30, 2014, 06:35:51 AM »
From your list, National Geographic.

From outside the list, the Economist.

crazy jane

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #5 on: January 30, 2014, 06:39:17 AM »
The first one that popped into my head was Cosmo. Then I came to my senses and thought The Economist.

MissStache

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #6 on: January 30, 2014, 07:26:01 AM »
Of those, National Geographic. 

Outside your list:  Garden and Gun

GuitarStv

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #7 on: January 30, 2014, 07:26:57 AM »
None.  They seem like a pretty huge waste of money.  I'd check the library for any magazines that seem like really essential reading, and find books on related topics at the library.

pachnik

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #8 on: January 30, 2014, 07:36:43 AM »
I guess I would get Canadian Living if I had to get a magazine subscription.   

I haven't been able to relate to the content in magazines for years so I just don't buy them. 

nordlead

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #9 on: January 30, 2014, 07:38:22 AM »
I wouldn't get any of the ones you listed.

I do like Cycle World, which is not related to bicycles...

Elaine

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2014, 07:44:56 AM »
Food & Wine

NinetyFour

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2014, 07:46:30 AM »
The New Yorker.  Love it.  Have had it for many years.  Although now I'm beginning to question spending the money...

amha

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #12 on: January 30, 2014, 07:56:57 AM »
The New Yorker! (Runners-up: The Economist and the New York Review of Books)

Nancy

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #13 on: January 30, 2014, 07:58:38 AM »
Lapham's Quarterly

Carolina on My Mind

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #14 on: January 30, 2014, 08:09:17 AM »
I do get only one magazine subscription, and it's the New Yorker. 

rubybeth

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #15 on: January 30, 2014, 08:21:50 AM »
We get a few; most are extremely cheap to renew, but we've dropped some others over the years. From your list, I'd pick National Geographic.

We get:
Wired - techno geekery
Glamour - would probably drop, but my sister gave me a subscription extension as a gift
Real Simple - this is a guilty pleasure, and for all of the $50 home items they promote, the articles tend to promote a simpler, happier life with less

If I could only keep one of those, it would be Wired.

MrBrokeAssMustache

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #16 on: January 30, 2014, 08:23:31 AM »
Mother Earth News! Self sufficiency = very mustachian.

killingxspree

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #17 on: January 30, 2014, 09:59:20 AM »
Maybe you should consider a newspaper subscription instead? Just a suggestion

Samsam

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ruthiegirl

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #19 on: January 30, 2014, 10:37:52 AM »
Mother Earth News! Self sufficiency = very mustachian.

Hear hear!

$200k

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #20 on: January 30, 2014, 11:04:57 AM »
Mine: The Surfer's Journal

Yours: Old House Journal

soccerluvof4

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #21 on: January 30, 2014, 11:25:48 AM »
i Usually get magazines that are laying around at places that have to many and need to pass on a few. haha.

crumbcatcher

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #22 on: January 30, 2014, 12:18:17 PM »
I used to get Epicurious and Vegetarian Times, which I enjoyed a lot, but haven't subscribed to anything for many years.  I got a free subscription to Rolling Stone with a museum membership I bought last year, but rarely read it.

Also -- if anyone has magazines lying around that they never read, take them to Half Price Books! I was able to trade in my stack of Rolling Stones for some books I'd been wanting. 

I gave away my Epicurious back issues to a foodie friend, which bought me some goodwill and free food. ;-)

Stacey

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #23 on: January 30, 2014, 01:49:01 PM »
I second (or third) Mother Earth News.  My favorite magazine by far, and the only one that I read all the way through and keep for reference.

Dr.Vibrissae

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #24 on: January 30, 2014, 02:02:31 PM »
My old office mate had a subscription to The Week, and I always enjoyed it.  Up to date, informative, short peices with a humorous/sarcastic edge.  It's about the perfect amount of news/info for me.

Outside of your list, I've always had a soft spot for Southern Living, I used to read my Grandmother's subscription as a child, and still enjoy it today, more for the nostalgia and sense of place than anything.

oldtoyota

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #25 on: January 30, 2014, 02:02:47 PM »
Inside your list:
NatGeo

Outside your list:
The Economist

rocksinmyhead

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #26 on: January 30, 2014, 02:36:15 PM »
I only get Rolling Stone and love it.

I also have a bunch of back issues of Good Old Boat I got from the guy I bought my sailboat from... those are fun to read and informative.

on your list, I would be very tempted by This Old House and Old House Journal, but I haven't actually read either so I don't know which is superior :)

garth

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #27 on: January 30, 2014, 02:38:13 PM »
I get the Walrus. And am thinking about Food & Wine or Saveur to use up a gift card.

BPA

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #28 on: January 30, 2014, 02:38:59 PM »
National Geographic


I would jettison Oprah and her 8 million favourite things pronto.

CNM

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #29 on: January 30, 2014, 02:43:33 PM »
I like National Geographic from your list.

We get a couple of magazines: The Atlantic, Wired, Running Times, and Dirt Rag (mountain biking 'zine)

I don't really need any of them, but my favorite to leaf through is Wired. 

Mlkmn

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #30 on: January 31, 2014, 07:27:07 AM »
Backwoods Home - a more libertarian Mother Earth News. Self sustainability,  firearms, gardening, home building, etc. Some very good recipes too.

Milspecstache

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #31 on: January 31, 2014, 08:38:43 AM »
I have a gift subscription to Consumer Reports and I really like their focus on reliability.  Has made a big difference in appliance, paint, etc purchases.

Daleth

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #32 on: January 31, 2014, 08:45:19 AM »
None.  They seem like a pretty huge waste of money.  I'd check the library for any magazines that seem like really essential reading, and find books on related topics at the library.

That's my take. If you forced me to pick one I'd go for This Old House--that was actually my first thought when I saw the thread title, before even seeing your list.

MountainFlower

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #33 on: January 31, 2014, 12:00:00 PM »
We love American History magazine. 

FunkyStickman

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #34 on: January 31, 2014, 12:27:51 PM »
In your list? Nat Geo.

Other than that? I subscribe to Bicycle Times.

Khan

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #35 on: January 31, 2014, 03:40:56 PM »
I'd drop everything but National Geographic. Most of the magazines you get are full of fluff that is plentiful on the internet, and you could get the same content on the internet. You could get a tablet and consume **** from there. The ads are less obnoxious too.

I ballooned my subscriptions from ~2-3 magazines to 5,
Wired
Popular Science
Fortune
Time
The Atlantic

and now I think I'm going to go back down to just The Atlantic... and maybe Fortune. Wired, Pop Science, and Time just don't produce enough good content in a magazine to justify the waste(time-energy, cost, ad-space)[especially Pop Science]. I also second the recommendations for The Economist.

netskyblue

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #36 on: February 01, 2014, 03:19:18 PM »
I second (or third) Mother Earth News.  My favorite magazine by far, and the only one that I read all the way through and keep for reference.

Me, four.

Albert

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #37 on: February 01, 2014, 03:51:43 PM »
I don't subscribe to anything at the moment, but I used to receive National Geographic and Scientific American when I lived in US. Either would be a worthy choice. Maybe Economist as well - I usually buy it when I fly somewhere.

mustacheindc

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #38 on: February 01, 2014, 04:19:33 PM »
The Economist!

4alpacas

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #39 on: February 01, 2014, 04:49:09 PM »
Sunset!

Jags4186

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #40 on: February 01, 2014, 04:50:23 PM »
The Week

Workinghard

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #41 on: February 01, 2014, 05:27:16 PM »
We're not picky about magazines as long as they're free. Here's one for Men's Fitness.  No credit card info is necessary.

http://www.rewardscountry.com/mags/mena_i/rc_mirq_pg2s.htm

We also get free offers and have subscribed to magazines through here:  DiscountMags.com
If you end up overlapping the same subscription, just call the company and they will adjust it.

happy

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #42 on: February 01, 2014, 06:07:08 PM »
No idea, I don't read magazines.

chicagomeg

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #43 on: February 01, 2014, 08:19:47 PM »
I only get Real Simple. I used to get the Economist, but I never have time to read it & it just makes me feel guilty because it's SO expensive.

FrugalityFan

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #44 on: February 02, 2014, 12:37:10 AM »
Cooks Illustrated

FiveSigmas

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #45 on: February 02, 2014, 02:55:40 AM »
I had a feeling before clicking on the title that The Economist would get a few shout-outs. It really is very good: It covers way more than just economics, and even when I don't agree with the editorial opinions, I still feel like I'm learning something. It also has a surprising amount of humor sprinkled in (sometimes subtle, sometimes not). That said, it is expensive and some of the subject matter is, well... dry. (It's also the antithesis of MMM's low-information diet and the circles of control, but that's probably a topic for another thread...)

Of the magazines on your list, I'd go with National Geographic.

lizzzi

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #46 on: February 02, 2014, 05:39:24 AM »
Your list: I wouldn't subscribe to any, but might refer to articles online or at the library if needed.

For me: Historical Novels Review. This is the journal of the Historical Novel Society, and extremely useful in finding out what historical novels you might want the library to get for you. (Or that you might want to order from Amazon…I know, I know…face punch.)

Rural

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #47 on: February 02, 2014, 06:20:41 AM »
My parents gifted us a year subscription to Smithsonian. It's a fine magazine, but it has only saved to remind me want a complete PITA magazine subscriptions are, and since it was a gift I feel to guilty to throw it out at the post office as I do other junk mail and unsolicited subscriptions. Even if someone reads some of it (rare), what the hell do you do with them? I mean, I know what to do with them, but they just add to the weight of the trash we have to haul.

Albert

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #48 on: February 02, 2014, 06:27:34 AM »
You recycle them like any other paper? Although magazines like National Geographic I'd keep forever (space allowing).

Rural

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Re: If you could only get one magazine subscription, what would it be?
« Reply #49 on: February 02, 2014, 06:31:41 AM »
You recycle them like any other paper? Although magazines like National Geographic I'd keep forever (space allowing).

No way to recycle anything here, let alone paper. Another reason I don't like having them --they go straight to a landfill.

A couple of magazines make good kindling, but we don't use a year's worth.