[don-code]

I've noticed a bathtub curve in cost of ownership on many things. Typically, I do save a good bit of money up front by buying used, and then try hard to repair rather than replace. Eventually, though, a failure mode of all gadgets seems to be an increasing-at-an-increasing-rate amount of spend needed on upkeep.

Admittedly, I've been notoriously bad at realizing that I've entered that phase. On three high-profile occasions (two computers and a car) I've exceeded the saleable value of the thing in upkeep costs, in the span of just a few months - it would've been cheaper to divest and replace.

Determining that you've crossed that inflection point is, I assume, a skill.