Divide subscription income by number of active members. Then lower subscription rate to $0.25/yr above that figure.  Then drop free memberships.  Thoughts? tia

You seem to think that if it's cheap enough then everyone would pay.

I have no faith in that premise.

So let's say by your formula that it decreases the price of a membership by half, does your proposal include the remaining paying members seeing half the ads that non-paying members now put up with? Hint: memberships aren't free, you pay with bandwidth and load time, or you pay with cash, which also purchases more priveleges. I'd suggest you leave well enough alone.

The "magic of free" is hyped by Wired, that's all.

What's the prize here? I don't even remember. Something like $100 yearly, right? How can that be too much? That's $8 a month. Doesn't ruin anyone (in this part of the world).

I would rather pay $100 a year (or more) then see ads.

Fixed that for you.

??

"than" (comparison) not "then" (consequence).

Your original statement says that you are happy to pay for ads. I'm sure that's not what you meant.

if you notice, if you're a non-cash paying member (definitely not "FREE", you're paying by seeing ads) the page usually loads slower than if you're a cash paying member.. i can attest to this because just last week i have enjoyed a trial period in which there are no ads for 1 week.. after that trial no ad period, the page loads slower than usual..

then by logic, you spend more time waiting, which spends more electricity, which increases your bill.. then you're like a cash-paying member also (but not that much) without the priveleges.. that's the IRONY of it right?

but still i am a non-cash paying member here.. in this part of the world, lots of things must come for "FREE".. $8/month is something around 400pesos here.. based on statistics that's almost a 3 day food allowance for a medium sized family in the philippines..

Thanks, PrawnE.... Yes, that was a typo. 

Yes, the free option is good for people living in places where salaries are lower. Out of curiosity: what's a typical salary where you live, GlennL...?

since i'm in a rural area you're lucky enough if you have hundred and fifty pesos (almost $4) at the end of each day.. that's at least for menial jobs which most people in my area do have.. lucky ones however recieve higher salary depending on their skill or degree but they only comprised of 5% of our population..

that's maybe the reason why many americans settle here for good especially those who have met their love ones here.. their money multiply as much as 45x here..

Interesting. Thanks, GlennL....  And with 150 pesos a day, people eat well and have a decent place to live? I'm curious, since my girlfriend and I might want to live in the Philippines for a year or so. And certainly in a rural area, since we want a quiet time.  Or let me ask like this: how much would two people need to live comfortably, but simple, in your area? Would 7,000 pesos a month be enough for two people? Or would we need 10,000? 15,000? 20,000? 

I hope you don't mind me asking.

at 150 pesos a day, maybe it's considered just enough to get by (this is only slightly better than starving, sad to say),. if living comfortably and simple life, based on statistics, a family of four (medium sized family) needs at least 800 pesos a day.. that is including house rent, bills, food allowance and a little extra budget to spend for unexpected things.. but since you guys have a different definition of living comfortably, that value may rise exponentially (to fit your standards).. but i'm guessing that 20, 000 pesos/month (or roughly $500) will be enough, at least to your standards, for 2 people in a rural area ..

i certainly don't mind.. i'm proud that many people are considering to try live out here in our place..

Sounds good. Thanks! 

How much does it cost to eat well, but on a budget, monthly for one person? 

I'm asking since, I've been living perfectly in Denmark, for less than one third of what other people in Denmark do. So, when I say simple, I mean simple. I basically need nothing but good food, a connection to the net, and a bed.  In Denmark, food was my primary expense, which is rather uncommon.

well, let's just say that our food allowance (family of 5) each day is roughly around 250pesos or $6.. that's already good food for the whole day (3meals + snacks).. also we live near the bay, that makes seafoods alot more cheaper than in other places.. food is never a problem in rural areas of the philippines i just want to add.. most people grow vegetables in their yard.. you'll know what i'm trying to say when you got here.. and, one last thing, despite what you hear on the news, most filipino people are real nice..^_^

Wow! That's so cheap compared to the US and Europe. Nice to know. And I haven't heard anything bad about the people of the Philippines. And even if I had, why would I believe it? In general, people are nice, if you are nice to them.  Thanks, GlennL...!

you're always welcome brother..