I pay for live member ships every year.
I make more than enough money to pay for it and I play on my xbox usually once a day.
I mostly do PC stuff but I game with buddies regularly.
I've also never had any problems with Xbox services.
IF money is a problem then don't buy an xbox and look for friends with Ps3.
I got an xbox because PS3 had no games, and I just stuck with it because its good enough for me.
And I don't want to lose my 31k gamer score >.>