i think the key word, as sarah has figured out, is "investment."
it helps to figure out which things are purchases and which are investments.
(full disclosure: i still get the two mixed up more often that i wish. lol)
when i got my first embroidery capable machine i rushed online and bought a full set of all colors from an inexpensive brand. the choice of brand worked out just fine. i still order from them and only go elsewhere if they don't have what i'm looking for.
however, years and years later, i still have a drawer full of colors still in the factory wrapping.
now i just buy what i need for a specific project if i can't find it in my stash.
the kicker is that i can rarely find what i need in my stash!
