KK,
Congratulations on your success
I completely understand from the financial side of things - I am having to balance finances and what I feel is my need for WW as well. But you are right - paying the membership fee will not be forever.
I have had a lot of success with WW. I've lost over 100 pounds. I am just loving the skills they teach you each week. Sometimes it is stuff I already know, but I would say 85% of the time it is a new skill or perspective. Sometimes I practice the skill that week, sometimes if it's not something that interests me I won't.
In terms of leaders and meetings...I really feel it is a lot how one reacts to the situation. I don't like everyone's attitudes or actions 100% of the time in real life and yes sometimes it is difficult to understand people in real life - a WW meeting therefore would be no different.
I say this to encourage you to stick it out even if someone at the meeting or the leader doesn't click with you/you don't click with them. I personally did not but made the decision to stick it out. I've learned to appreciate my leader and other members for who they are - take from and learn from the good, and leave the bad. Because if you look for it, there are good things we can learn from everyone. I'm glad I stuck it out because now my leader and I have a nice relationship; we respect eachother and I can tell that my leader genuinely cares about my success.
That said, if you ever need it TOPS is an amazing support program as well. It's very inexpensive and if I had the time I would do both for the extra support.
Good luck