Ordering on Amazon, I would usually try to get free Super Saver shipping. Yes, it was free, but it took a week or more to arrive. It required a minimum purchase of about $25.

I recently signed up for and got a free one-month trial of Amazon Prime. Yes, if I don’t cancel before the trial period ends, I will be billed $79 a year!  I posted the cutoff date on my computer, and set an iPhone reminder as well.

Amazon Prime allows me to order an item, with no minimum purchase price and get free two-day delivery. I have had fun ordering things using this feature.

I really like sending presents to others and to myself, knowing that they will arrive in the mail two days after I click on them at Amazon.

What will I do at the end of the trial period? The cost of $79 a year breaks down to about $1.52 a week. If I order one item each week, I can have free shipping and two-day delivery for that item. Standard shipping costs $2.99 and up.

Will I order an average of one item each week? If I do that, the plus is that I may be inspired to send my grandson, other family, and myself, small gifts more often. I like that. A small gift does not mean an insignificant gift because each gift is from the heart. It means that I care. Besides, I can send ten $4 gifts, for the same price that I can send one $40 gift. I like that.

Amazon has a spreadsheet that will allow me to see at a glance the gifts I sent out, and I will calculate how much I saved in shipping. If I continue with Amazon Prime, the yearly totals will allow me to discover whether my Amazon Prime investment was worth it, financially speaking, during the year.

Another perk from Amazon Prime is their free Amazon Instant Video service. The only problem is that while this service does stream to my TV, I am not able to get HD coverage since the service is not compatible with my Apple TV. If I decide to cancel my Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video could pay for Amazon Prime.

Lots to think about. But that’s part of the fun. Since I LOVE sending gifts, my guess is that I will stick with Amazon Prime. Happy Giving, Everyone!

Happy Giving!

Mr. Ebsen may be contacted at robertebsen@hotmail.com