Just set up my first VPN and now I'm questioning everything

I finally got around to setting up a VPN after a friend's scary phishing story, and it was surprisingly straightforward. On one side, I've read that VPNs are crucial for encrypting data on public networks, almost like digital seatbelts. But then some techies argue it's unnecessary overhead for casual browsing if you stick to secure sites. I'm stuck because my streaming speed took a hit, lol. So, what's your take on VPNs for average users?