There are costs to life.


Some of them are necessary and some not.

Some of them make life easier or more enjoyable and some are just costs.

Costs that are probably necessary: Utilities (water, electricity, sewage, real estate taxes [if you rent you pay the taxes through your landlord if not directly]).
Costs that are probably not necessary for everyone but desirable to maintain quality of life: transportation, heat, insurance
Costs that are not necessary for amateur photographers: camera bodies and lenses, software
Costs that are probably necessary for professional photographers: camera bodies and lenses, software. These are reimbursable costs paid by your clients (indirectly).
Costs that are absolutely NOT necessary for anyone: style, fashion (My opinion here -- there may be people for whom these costs are reimbursable professional costs).
Costs of hobbies: fishing, golf, going to sports events or concerts, travel.
I'm sure there are costs I have not enumerated that some could add to my list.

Most of the complaints about subscriptions I hear here are unnecessary costs that make life easier. Again, my opinion. Adobe Photography Plan costs are small enough that they do not impact me.

By the time I just read your post this has unfolded as I would expect. The Lightroom and/or Adobe deniers have appeared dead set on convincing you that it is too complicated, hideous and a diabolical evil plot from Adobe. Simply because they would not or could not understand the Library Module in Lightroom Classic. I am on the other side of the great divide and generally stay out of the fray even though I understand the problem and led a few accomplished photographers to the promised land. But the required Ah Ha moment is difficult to find unless someone were to sit down beside you at a computer for a couple of hours and guide you through. Don

But… the direct answer to your Question is The Lightroom Queen, https://www.lightroomqueen.com/, who has absolutely free e-guides and well written advice. She sells the definitive e-books for both Lightrooms (you do know they’re two?). Just go there and look around.

BTW I am an octogenarian who dislikes the smell of fixer since the ‘50s.

When I posted this I saw that someone beat me to it.