Hrm. Looks like the permanent accounts are worth about $35 a year (membership plus extra userpics), so in slightly over four years you'd be ahead. Will Livejournal exist in this form in four years? Will I still be writing on it? Actually, I guess that would be 'yes,' since I've been here more than four years already. Of course, I don't use the userpics I've got now (but I'm still chafing because I have two more I want to upload, even if all they'll do is sit there looking pretty). I don't suppose they'll pay me back for the four months remaining on my annual membership if I buy one...