What a great thread this is - have heard of some new products, some reviews I agree with, some not, but all very interesting. I like to buy good quality for some things - Aurifil thread, Olfa blades, but for others, I buy where I can find a good deal - my pin cushion (metal tray) from Harbour Freight; my sewing table a piece of plexiglass cut to fit around machine by a local window shop instead of the one sold by Bernina, fabrics from guild swaps, free patterns online etc. I almost always wait to buy the special notions until someone I know recommends them or I have tried them in class - works for me!