My corollary to this is buying the best thing you can reasonably concieve of affording. My prime example is a guitar. Once you move from the starter knockof

My corollary to this is buying the best thing you can reasonably concieve of affording. My prime example is a guitar. Once you move from the starter knockoffs, you should start investigating the more expensive models to find what you like. Don't wander through life buying mediocre. (This isn't to say you can't find more affordable quality or satisfaction, but at some point may wish you had ponied up for that PRS or Gibson after having purchased numerous used guitars whose sum exceeds the value of what you really wanted :)