I've subscribed to Time Magazine for more than 20 years, not because I am enthralled with their coverage of anything, but because I love a bargain.
It started with the student discount in J-school and converted to the "professional" discount for young reporters. Such a small fraction of the cover price... such a deal.
My tastes run more to the New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly and recently Harper's. I'll admit that weeks have often passed without cracking the red-bordered magazine before replacing it with the new arrival. But Time and I, we go way back.
The magazine has been coming to Georgia and I've been lving in New York. Truth be told, I haven't missed it. But when I saw the renewal notice on the Georgia kitchen table, I was already on autoresponse to continue the process, until I noticed the words "Senior discount."
Somewhere a vast database had decided it was time for me to transition from "professional" to "senior." My premium item was no longer a jogging headset or active fleece, nope, the incentive they calculated to take me off the fence was a large-type electronic senior organizer with a radio to listen to Paul Harvey and elevator music.
Yes, I have been an AARP member for eight years now. But only because they are none too picky. My husband was eligible when HE turned 50 and it turned out it didn't matter how old I was for a spouse membership.
Yes, my older daughter graduates from college in a few weeks, anything I read now involves glasses and I have made a conscious choice to not know the names of any major rap artist.
But I am 45 years old and looking at at least another 20 years in the work force-- subscribing to Newsweek with my professional discount.


Copyright 2005 Judi Griggs