More often than not, I make buying decisions to save time. It's cheaper to wash my car myself. Instead, I pay someone to do it faster and I'm willing to pay for extra space in my calendar. I like eating out. Costs more, but I'm buying the service and/or the experience.

When it comes to technology I pay more to be the newest and shiniest. And yet, I paid someone else to design and move one of my websites even though I know how to do it myself. The problem was the site was not getting completed. I was stuck. Paying someone enabled me to move on… I bought freedom, creativity and motivation.

Social media is low/no cost. Some buyers choose the do-it-yourself route to save money; learn; avoid success or any number of emotional benefits.

I wonder how many of us stop to answer the questions, “What are you buying?”

I am comforted to be finding more people who don't have a LOT of money, but are willing to pay to learn, and recognize that they have to spend some time! (yeah! angels singing!:)
I too spent and spend more hours than I can count learning social media and keeping up with the constant changes! Many don't see why they would pay someone to teach them and many others that gladly will so that THEY don't have to spend all that time!
I would add that many of those 'free things' come w/hidden prices! Those 'free sites' like ning and others (I love ning, don't get me wrong!) make advertising MONEY from the traffic that comes to the site that YOU put the TIME into building. In many cases, they own your content too! (that pesky little terms of service nobody reads!).
Those free apps and games on facebook? they are not created by developers sitting around wanting to give you something to do for fun because they like you! They get valuable information from you. About you and your friends.
I'm not saying that these are BAD necessarily, but certainly not free!
No more free than a website that requires your email address in return for a 'free' MP3 or Ebook.
That's not free, that's a trade. Just be clear in what you're trading, then decide.
Time for money, money for time, or whatever.

Thanks for the discussion Kathy!