I grew up in a time when a subscription usually meant subscribing to printed materials. Newspapers and magazines were necessary for those who wanted to stay informed. Before the internet, this was how we read the news, followed sports, or kept up with hobbies. You could also subscribe to mail-order collectibles. There were ads in magazines offering commemorative plates, coins, or figurines at an attractive introductory price. If you bought one of these items, a subscriptio