I'll use newspaper in a pinch but with the cubes I don't have the ashes flying all over the yard when I pick up the chimney to dump the coals. It is just a little bit less of a hassle for me.
there is a dollar store near me that has firestarter cubes made from wax and wood chips. a pack of 10 or 12 cubes (which burn for approximately 10 minutes each) for $1. maybe i will just use those.