2009 Writer
Cat
Charlotte, NC

Simply Too Many Ads

3 star rating

married, a busy professional, budget diner, laid-back, not very organized, always seeking good tips
Pros

    unique ideas, good recipes, fast read

Cons
    way too many ads

AUG
19
2007
Many years ago I purchased a copy of Real Simple off the newsstand because it looked like an interesting read. Halfway through the magazine, something struck me: every other page was an advertisement. In disbelief I confirmed this, flipping from page to page to page. No two pages in a row were actual content. I decided not to purchase a subscription. Fast forward many years, and this time I found a subscription for a rock bottom rate, so figuring that the magazine must have changed a little, I subscribed to it.

About Real Simple
The magazine's premise is enticing: "real simple" tips, ideas and articles to help you simplify your life, become more organized, and thereby hopefully achieve some form of lifestyle "enlightenment". Each issue includes a series of simple recipes, a section on "a-ha" (TM Oprah) uses for everyday things, fashion and buying information, a reader profile, and an interesting question posed to readers.

What I Like About Real Simple
I enjoy getting the magazine because of the recipes, and I particularly like the "a-ha" uses for everyday things. This month's issue, for instance, advises you to use a garlic press to crush things like coriander seeds and peppercorns. I also like the reader question each month, and frequently I find helpful tips for gift giving that I would have never thought of myself. For example, in this month's issue, a reader wrote about how she always includes a letter of reference in a gift to a graduate that they can use when looking for a job. I thought that was a very thoughtful tip.

What I Don't Like About Real Simple
The ads in Real Simple are still Real Annoying. I have noticed that in my current issues they don't insist that every other page be an advertisement, but it's still conspicuously ad heavy. This month's issue ran 300 pages, the great majority of which are ads. I checked and the letter from the Editor and the table of contents are tucked in behind over thirty pages of ads at the front of the magazine. If Real Simple needs this many ads to be successful, then perhaps they should reconsider publishing.

Cat's Bottom Line
The volume of ads makes Real Simple much less simple to read. If you like organization and life simplifying tips, grab a copy from a magazine rack and try before you buy. I think the amount of paper Real Simple spends on ads is costly, environmentally stupid, and annoying. I recommend this magazine with hesitation simply because of the ads, and it's a shame, because the content of the magazine is really quite good. I won't be renewing my subscription when it comes due.

Last edited on Feb 25, 2008



I_thumb_up Real Simple Magazine is recommended by Cat

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I_comment_shdw24 Comments about Cat’s Review

 


meags wrote on Apr 17, 2009 at 11:37AM

If you hate ads but like the content, try Shop Smart by Consumer Reports. No ads (except for their own stuff) and while it's smaller in volume than Real Simple (probably half the page number) it's chock full of good stuff.

SuzyLee wrote on Dec 3, 2008 at 1:31PM

I completely agree with you. It sucks that, although the actual content of the magazine is great, the ads just weigh it down and make it burdensome to get through. I swear there are two dozen pages of ads at the beginning of every single issue.

AngelaWLaFon wrote on Feb 20, 2008 at 8:12PM

Thanks for the heads up on this one. It is an attractive concept.

TheBard wrote on Aug 19, 2007 at 2:32PM

Such is the way of almost every magazine on the newstand these days; way too much advertising and not enough substance...Great review Cat.

Vincent

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