To own stuff, it is not just about buying it, you have to maintain it.
You buy a thing once, the maintenance is continuous. You own 100x things, you maintain 100x things. To maintain, it means you have to store, look after it, clean, fix, etc.
Maintenance is going to take your time, energy, money.
The formula is simple:
Less stuff to own = less stuff to maintain = more time/energy for stuff, you actually want to do.
Let's play with few combinations, regarding how often you use stuff and costs of it.
| ID | use frequency | investment + maintenance | to buy an item? |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | high | high | maybe for business, avoid pleasure/hobby |
| (2) | high | low | absolutely |
| (3) | low | low | maybe yes, maybe no |
| (4) | low | high | no, borrow/rent it |
(1) High usage, high costs items. You go for it, if the return is huge, maybe you make a living out of it. If it is only for pleasure, find a cheaper hobby.
(2) High usage, low costs items. That is a good combo. Good business or hobby.
(3) Low usage, low costs items. Even if it is cheap, do not just buy everything. Be selective, avoid tons of junk.
(4) Low usage, high costs items. Avoid owning expensive toys (luxury cars, weekend houses, costly equipment). To use it once per year, but maintain it nonstop? Borrow/rent it for the occasion instead.
Less stuff = less maintenance = more time for yourself.
Avoid owning junk, you do not use. Stuff are made, to serve you, not the other way around.