[lmm]

It forces you to make these choices - either you're someone who enjoys formal dinners enough to own a formal jacket, or you're not. Either you enjoy hiking enough to own hiking boots, or you don't. Either you enjoy playing squash enough to own a squash racket, or you don't. Either you enjoy snorkeling enough to own a snorkel, or you don't. It removes the ability to keep these things in the back of the cupboard and tell yourself you like that activity when actually you haven't done it for five years and aren't going to do it in the next five years either, forces you to make choices about which hobbies you enjoy (and take those seriously) and which you don't.

[shermanyo]

Also, in most cases the alternative is to hire equipment.

I could never justify owning even a cheap set of golf clubs, pool cue or bowling shoes, but I'll never turn down an invitation by friends or family. If I do something rarely, but still enjoy it, I'll treat it like planning and budgeting for any other night out or holiday.