I get updates from the Official SBD Website for free whenever they feel like sending them, which is often. I never joined. I copy the recipes although I hate to admit I really haven't tried many of the SBD recipes. I have just bought a lot of the allowed foods and go from there.
If you want to try it, go ahead. I have a tendency to sign up for everything whenever I start something new but it gets to be so hard to juggle everything so I remind myself to K.I.S.S. (keep it simple sweetie).
Whatever helps you get to where you want to go is what is best for you.