I just ordered my first album ever. Actually I bought two, since the shipping was so expensive. Both CDs are signed, with one of the albums being released just today.

I have many times wanted to own my music, instead of paying the exexorbitant spotify monthly fee. However, everytime I remember that no, I wont save any money... Because my mom still pays for my subscription.

Anyhow, my music taste is quite niche, so I thought that just supporting my favorite artist is worth it. Knowing how little spotify pays artists, it's very important to buy from them directly unless they measure streams in millions.

If you are also thinking about buying music instead of streaming, do the math. If you pay for spotify, you're paying 13€/month (156/€ per year). Now calculate how many artists you listen to, and how often they release albums. Assuming you listen to about 8 artists, and they release a album every other year, and that a CD costs 20€ (on the higher side imo), that calculates to 80€ per year. That leaves a hair under 80€ to buy your backlog that you don't own yet.

And the best part, if you fall into bad times and are unable to spend anything on music, you still own your music, unlike if you stream it from spotify.

And of coruse to reiterate, you support your favorite artists. Some quick napkin maths results in that you'd need to listen to music constantly for 15% of an entire year for them to earn those 80€.