Do I get 50 GB every month or is it a one time a 50 GB if so why do I have to pay monthly and not just a one time fee

You don't need to use iCloud at all if you do not want to. Backing up data to a computer is perfectly acceptable and is free if you have one. If you are simply looking for an external cloud storage service, iCloud is not it. iCloud is designed to sync data across devices using the same Apple ID. You can use it to relieve storage contraints on your device from photos by storing the high resolution version in the cloud and only the thumbnails on your device, but that is about as far as it goes for being external storage. If you want the convenience of backing up your data to iCloud instead of a computer then that is a service you would need to pay for if your backup is greater than 5GB. You can work within those parameters by backing up your photos to a thumb drive or external device and exclude it from the iCloud Backup.

You pay monthly for how much space you want and can cancel/downgrade at any time. The choice is really yours on how you want to manage your data and how valuable it is to you. You can:

• Not use iCloud at all
• Use the free 5GB plan and manage any other data that exceeds the limit yourself.
• Sync your phone with a computer
• Use another cloud service to store data. There are others, but of course they have prices for their plans as well.

You are charged monthly to have access to the amount of storage that you pay for. Imagine it's like renting storage space. Currently, you are "renting" 50 GB from Apple's servers. You can always increase or decrease the amount.