I use the $5 plan. Basically for any time I’m searching for something I already know where to look (weather, sports scores, particular website) I use ddg or brave (or bookmarks). When I’m looking for more nuanced things like programming questions, recipes, reviews, etc. I use Kagi. Works pretty well with bangs in Firefox.

To answer your question: I hate ads so it’s worth it to me to have no sponsored crap in searches where there is something to sell

Sometimes for work trips I’ll user uber in a vanadium web browser. I think they also have a number you can call to order one. Primarily for old people but works well in this case.

Using uber is its own question but you got to find the most private set up that works for you. Anything is better than nothing.