It's kind of funny- I think about web apps constantly. After reading this, though, I decided to make a list of the web applications that I have actually paid for. I could only think of one- it was one of the ediet ones that lets you pick your diet (out of many popular ones) then emails you meal plans and shopping lists each week. I'm not even on a diet.
The fact that it saved me time and thought thinking through healthy meals was what got me to pay. And it made me realize also how few web apps actually end up saving me time in the end (which is the make-it or break-it factor for me, but I realize probably not for others).
So here's my question- what web apps have you other news.YC'ers ever actually paid money for? Any?
Also, a friend of mine used one of the major dating sites like eHarmony, and I think it cost her about $20 for 3 months. As in your example, it seems like the money is worthwhile because it saves time.
That's a good point. I just now realized that I haven't paid for any web apps myself (unless you count Skype). Although recently I was looking at PayScale (http://www.payscale.com/), and thought that if I was looking for a job I would probably buy a premium report from them. In this case the $20 report could help negotiate a few extra thousand dollars in salary.
The fact that it saved me time and thought thinking through healthy meals was what got me to pay. And it made me realize also how few web apps actually end up saving me time in the end (which is the make-it or break-it factor for me, but I realize probably not for others).
So here's my question- what web apps have you other news.YC'ers ever actually paid money for? Any?