I do BOM's at my LQS. It's $5-10 to join. Each month you complete your block your fabric for the current month is free. I get to learn new techniques. They are usually sampler quilts which I'm not overly fond of for myself but they do make great gifts. The only additional cost (if I do all my blocks on time) is the cost of the 'finishing kit' which they offer in a variety of sizes so I can be as frugal or extravagant as I want. I'm doing my third or 4th now. Some are more challenging than others but I do enjoy it. Yes, it takes a year to get your top done but it gives me time to do other projects in the interim.