debapriya,
i was also under same dilemna until 2 weeks back, my portfolio size is not good enough to beat the subscription charges for this year. but i am going to have good surplus funds after 1 year. i could have waited for 1 year to join. but i joined immediately.
there are 2 factors that tilted the decision
1. any new tool, you may do mistakes first time, so limit the damage to small amount. by next year i would have learnt enough and corrected the mistakes when my portfoio is going to be large
2. you cant measure every thing with charges. the knowledge is priceless, that too coming from a great person like basant sir. nobody will teach you so much with so little charges. you need to utilize this opportunity to 'earn' bigger lessons.
always certian things in the life comes at a cost. its worth spending the money and learn the lessons. roughly you should spend 2% of your annual salary on enriching your professional skills (certifications, training, books, new tools...). you should spend roughly 1% of your salary on your health (gym, yoga, healthy/organic food...). you should spend 1% on enriching your wealth management skills (subscriptions, books, software...)
the pay back is pretty quick and big in all these. you get better salary, hike, promotions in the job. you get better body , mind, spiritual life. you make more $$$$