The tools I actually pay for

Only things I actually pay for and use. If a tool is worth it, I'll say why. If you don't need it yet, I'll say that too, because I've wasted plenty of money finding out.

Half of what I tried is a $20 a month thing I forgot to cancel until it was biting me in the ass. That's why this page exists.

Claude

What it's for: The one thing I talk to. It builds everything else.
When you don't need it: The free account is enough for your first few builds. Start there.
The honest downside: The top plan is the most expensive thing I pay for by a mile.
Cost: $200 a month for the top plan. Free to start.

Vercel

What it's for: Where the websites actually live so other people can open them.
When you don't need it: Free until a site becomes a business. Most first sites never leave the free tier.
The honest downside: You have to move to a paid plan once it's commercial, and that's on you to notice.
Cost: Free to start. Around $20 a month once it's a business.

vidIQ

What it's for: Tells me what people are actually searching for on YouTube, and whether a title is any good.
When you don't need it: If you're not making videos, you don't need it at all. The free account is plenty to start.
The honest downside: The numbers are estimates and vidIQ says so. Good for comparing two ideas, not for trusting one.
Cost: $49 a month, or $39 if you pay yearly. There's a free tier.

ElevenLabs

What it's for: Turns writing into speech in my own voice. It's how anything I don't record myself gets said.
When you don't need it: If you're not making audio or video, skip it. The free account is enough to hear what it does.
The honest downside: The credit number only covers speech. Transcription and music have their own budgets, and they run out quietly.
Cost: $22 a month for the plan I'm on. Free tier to try it.

beehiiv

What it's for: The newsletter runs on it. It sends the emails, holds the list, and hosts the sign-up page.
When you don't need it: If you don't have anybody to email yet, you don't need it. Write the thing first.
The honest downside: Free stops at 2,500 subscribers, and the plan after it is a real monthly bill.
Cost: $49 a month, or $43 billed yearly. Free to start.