Is worth the effort

PAYS

Think of what you might say when an investment or action yields a positive return over time.

The clue "Is worth the effort" hints at something that gives a return for your work or trouble. "Pays" fits because it literally means to yield a reward or benefit, like when hard work "pays off." The wordplay is straightforward—no tricks—just a common phrase turned into a concise verb. Think of it as the financial or figurative reward for putting in effort.