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Do you still buy magazines?

(110 Posts)
Mazgg Sun 16-Aug-26 14:01:44

I used to have a subscription to Woman and Home but found as I got older (mid 80s) it lost it's appeal. There isn't a 'proper' newsagent anywhere near to browse, only a supermarket with limited choice. Come to think of it the last time I saw a newsagents was at the airport.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't want the weekly puzzle books but something with a bit or reading to it.

Maggiemaybe Mon 17-Aug-26 08:03:26

We still get our weekend papers delivered, which both have magazines and lots of reading that we often just flick through. We have a Radio Times subscription too and I do read most of the articles in there.

Grandma70s Mon 17-Aug-26 08:18:39

The only one I subscribe to now is Radio Times, which I find invaluable. I used to have a subscription to Good Housekeeping, and as a teenager I took three ballet magazines - Dance and Dancers, Dancing Times and Ballet Today. Not sure if they even exist today,

Marydoll Mon 17-Aug-26 08:26:15

I cancelled my Woman and Home subscription and bought a magazine and newspaper app, through Groupon. Far better value.

Grandma70s Mon 17-Aug-26 08:49:35

I should have added that I am included in my son’s subscription to Readly, which gives me access to many magazines. Good for dipping in without commitment.

Witzend Mon 17-Aug-26 09:01:53

Ladyleftfieldlover

I have had a subscription to Private Eye for many years. I also have subscriptions for the Radio Times and Good Housekeeping.

I do make an exception for Private Eye - I don’t buy every issue, though.

I used to flick though the ‘Homes and Gardens’ type mags at the dentist, but they don’t have them any more. My previous hairdresser (TBH she wasn’t very good) only ever had the ‘celebrity gossip’ type.

Mazgg Mon 17-Aug-26 10:40:56

Thank you all, you have given me food for thought. I haven't seen or read 'The Oldie' but will definitely look for it and for Saga which I haven't read for a long time.

TheWeirdoAgain60 Mon 17-Aug-26 10:55:14

I refuse to subscribe and just buy them from Spar when I like, but I always get Chat, That's Life, and Love It! mags. I buy 2 out of every 4 weeks. I find that buying them each week of the month, they all melt into one with the stories!

MrsQuigley Mon 17-Aug-26 11:21:12

I don’t even borrow Good Housekeeping from the library anymore, so little in it to read. Would like to see what Who Do You Think You Are magazine or the History magazine but both so expensive.

MT62 Mon 17-Aug-26 11:47:32

Lives baskets full of type magazines. 25 beautiful homes being my favourite. I can’t bear to throw as they were expensive.
My friend did buy me a subscription for 6 months for a really posh magazine, but I would be lucky to even afford a cup & saucer what’s suggested in that one.

MT62 Mon 17-Aug-26 11:47:59

MT62

Lives baskets full of type magazines. 25 beautiful homes being my favourite. I can’t bear to throw as they were expensive.
My friend did buy me a subscription for 6 months for a really posh magazine, but I would be lucky to even afford a cup & saucer what’s suggested in that one.

It did say lots 🤦‍♀️

Fallingstar Mon 17-Aug-26 11:53:48

There was always a table full of mags in the doc’s and dentist’s waiting rooms, they don’t do this now. Haven’t bought a magazine for many years but always take them when visiting someone in hospital, at least they pass the time even if they are fully of ads and celeb news.

Fallingstar Mon 17-Aug-26 11:54:19

Sorry meant haven’t bought a magazine for myself in many years.

Cressida Mon 17-Aug-26 12:18:58

I have subscriptions to the weekly People's Friend and also the Special that comes out every 3 weeks. Both have stories, recipes, puzzles, craft projects (usually knitting patterns) & interesting articles about all sorts of (non-celebrity) things.

My mother used to get People's Friend passed on to her by her friend and when she'd read them she'd give them to me. When Mum went into a care home I started buying it from the corner shop to take to her and always read it first. After she died I carried on buying it from the corner shop then we moved house and there was nowhere to get it within walking distance so I subscribed and later also subscribed to the Special.

Gummie Mon 17-Aug-26 12:41:32

No because you can read them for free via the library app borrowbox.

alisonsmith4 Mon 17-Aug-26 13:53:10

If you are a member of the library you can download the BorrowBox app and borrow many magazines there. I gave Woman’s Own, Woman’s Weekly and Radio Times “delivered” each week and there are plenty of other choices. All free too!

alisonsmith4 Mon 17-Aug-26 13:53:48

Sorry “have” not “gave!”

Warbler Mon 17-Aug-26 13:54:47

The Spectator which I have delivered every Friday. I look forward to it. Also The Oldie and I have a Home and Gardens magazine too. I just love magazines. Sometimes I buy old ones off Vinted too.

Quizzer Mon 17-Aug-26 14:02:11

I was recently bought a subscription to Good Housekeeping as a gift.
What a waste of money! Pages and pages of ads and articles on stuff that few could afford.

jomo Mon 17-Aug-26 14:08:22

I pay every 3months for peoples friend delivery included every week loads stories series cooking lots to enjoy ..

Grandmotherto8 Mon 17-Aug-26 14:08:41

My daughter subscribes to BBC Good Food magazine for me. It's Mother's Day gift every year. As I frequently use Good Food recipes, I enjoy both reading the magazine and finding new recipes.

Astitchintime Mon 17-Aug-26 14:10:36

I ‘bought’ an initial subscription to People’s Friend for £1 for three editions, then £11.50 for 3 months….i think. However, I’m not finding that I have time to read them as I read my kindle at night and rarely sit down in the day to read. I’ve now cancelled the subscription too.

Geordiegirl1 Mon 17-Aug-26 14:13:47

Peoples Friend. Good old style short stories and articles. Like stepping back in time but somehow rather comforting.

Grammajules Mon 17-Aug-26 14:18:34

I subscribe to kindle unlimited. You can get the app on your phone. Whilst it’s £9.50 a month and you can only download @ 10 items at a time before ‘returning’ one, you can get nearly every magazine available and loads of books. You can also download samples of books not included that you would have to pay for, to see if it’s worth purchasing before buying them. You can take screen shots of items out of magazines such as recipes and knitting patterns and as a magazine these days is at least a fiver it’s still good value-if you use it.

GrandmaC47 Mon 17-Aug-26 14:20:19

Another vote for The People’s Friend. I pass it on t my sister in law, who then passes to her friend.

MissAdventure Mon 17-Aug-26 14:28:24

I used to really look forward to magazine days.
Pink as a young teen, She, when i was in my twenties, then Take a break as I got older.
Now, though, nothing, zilch.