Certs are good. Especially for getting a foot in the door at the junior levels of IT
My first cert was an A+ 10 years ago.
Just remember, if IT is a career, not a job to you, it is a career of test taking. Technology changes and some jobs require specific certs to go along with your experience.
My current job required that I get ITIL V3 Foundations and Security+ within a month of taking the gig, for example to go along with the MCSE that I already had.
To stay competitive in the job market, certs, degrees, and experience are all very good to have.
Degrees are permanent and experience comes on its own, but certs require constant upkeep.
My next cert hurdle is the MCITP server admin and enterprise admin.

As long as no more ITIL is required, YUCK!!
I hated that one so much...
I would rather quit than to have to advance my ITIL level further.