Despite my best efforts, I L-O-V-E instant gratification. Wanting something, anything – ranging from the next episode of a TV show to a snack – and immediately getting it makes me happy. I know patience is a virtue, but I have other virtues. So.

I’m also getting married this year and needs a lot of stuff from the Internet. From centerpieces to bridesmaids gifts, I plan to comb the interwebs to ensure I can get the best prices on all on the stuff I need to keep my budget from ballooning.

Enter Amazon Prime to help in all of these matters. I swear on everything Holy that Amazon has not paid me to write this. I really, really just love Amazon Prime. It’s changed, for the better, my ability to shop and get things done quickly and I’m obsessed with it.

Since I signed up and keep telling people that I have it, I do keep getting the question on if it’s worth it. The answer is yes. Here’s why:

1. It pays for itself. I am not a big fan of going into stores. I live in New York City, where this is no such thing as simply running a quick errand. If I want to go to stores like Target or Bed Bath & Beyond it’s a bus or subway to get there. Shoot – even to get to the grocery story it’s a half mile walk. As I write this, it’s 11 degrees out. The math is simple. Anything I need at these stores I can get on Prime (though I have not purchased food yet through there), delivered right to my home or work, and save myself the subway fare, cab fare or just the need to brave the elements. This past Christmas, this was nothing less than a god send.
2. It’s fast. If it’s something I need right away, Prime delivers within 24 hours. If it’s something I can live without for a few days, then you have a number of options to choose from – the most being 48 hours. Occasionally I’ve come across the ability to earn credit for other things on Amazon if I choose a longer-term option delivery (such as 3-4 days.) One of these perks even included a free year-long membership to Amazon Cloud Drive which is normally $60. For someone who takes a lot of photographs, this is fantastic. And with one order, I received something that was 2/3 the cost of the Prime service.
3. It’s not just stuff. The Prime video library is another perk I didn’t really think about when I signed up – but it’s been a pleasant surprise because it is dope. Not only do you get access to some of Prime’s exclusive content like Transparent (which according to the Emmy’s is something I should be watching) but it has an awesome library of other great shows. Right now, my fiancée and I are four seasons into The Wire, which is incredible. He was also beside himself to find all eight seasons of Curb Your Enthusiasm, which we watch as a palette cleanser between watching people murder each other in Baltimore. I will say – I don’t love that there is content on there that I still have to pay for – such as Outlander – but I do understand that these aren’t American shows and the $14.99 price tag per 8 episodes wasn’t enough to keep me from purchasing.

If there are any other hidden benefits of the Prime membership, I’d love to hear them!