[gwern]

Plenty of people seem to swear by them.

But here's the thing - it's not so much the cost (in absolute sums, it's not that large). It's whether you use it. You obviously sweat over costs; perhaps this sweating can be a cudgel to force you to write down whatever. The more a moleskine isn't worth buying, the more you will find yourself compelled to use it. Then wouldn't you be better off in the end?

[DavidSJ]

Actually, then I'd be making the sunk cost fallacy -- thinking something deserves more investment simply because I already spent more on it.

In any event, I'm not sweating over costs. If it really is worth $11 more per pad, then I'm fine with that. I just don't want to pay for a hip brand for no reason.

[gwern]

> Actually, then I'd be making the sunk cost fallacy -- thinking something deserves more investment simply because I already spent more on it.

Yes, you would. But as I said, if that motivates you to actually use it, then it's a net gain.