| > property taxes are often the largest source of income for a city budget Hadn't considered that, thanks. :) > I personally don't value faucets that much, but if I were replacing one, I don't see why I'd get a crappy one. I realize I don't know how faucets cost in the US so 185 could be close to what one would pay even to DIY it. > If someone said to me "I'll give you $400 to fly to Europe and cut down a large tree that's too close to someone's house without causing any damage and you must bring your own equipment, dispose of the tree, etc.." I sure as hell would not take that offer, especially if I knew how. I'm not sure I'd literally fly over with equipment to cut down one tree, but from what I've seen (admittedly, not a lot), damage occurs when people are careless (want to do it quickly, don't secure bigger branches properly or are negligent in general) or try to cut from the base like a lumberjack in the movies. Of course anything could happen no matter how careful one is - I've broken lots of cups and plates - but it doesn't seem especially risky compared to other jobs. But again, I'm not a professional tree cutter - I've cut a few trees. I took my time to do it and was careful but they weren't huge trees right over someone's mansion. > Quality work and good/better tools are worth investing in if you value them or their output. Definitely. I regularly pay experts lots of money, like a week's salary, for a few hours of their time, and it's worth it. And when I'm looking to buy a new tool, I almost always select one with good specs from a reputable brand. Unless it's for a one-time job where I just buy whatever's cheapest (within reason). Not surprisingly, I have had to use such tools multiple times shortly after that "first and only" job was done. Yet surprisingly, the cheap tool usually does the job. But there's a big difference between using a tool 10 times a year and 10 times a day. |
This tends to be how I approach tool investments, especially on the hobby side side of things. If I'm trying out a new interest, I'll get something on the cheaper end, and if I find myself continually pursuing the hobby, then I'll upgrade. Same for work, I'll use the minimum viable tool until it starts getting in my way, or I know I'd just enjoy the process more by spending more. Growing up poor makes every actual investment quite painful.
Last year, I reached my breaking point with my old computer; running Docker containers was just not serviceable anymore, so I upgraded substantially.
Right now, I know I need to get a bike stand and a wheel truing stand. Technically I don't actually need them, I could do it some other way or pay a professional (what I normally do), but the set of good tools will encourage me to keep trying it myself.