Whether its writing tools or cat toys, here’s my equation for value:
(UTILITY X DURABILITY X JOY)/ $COST
So, in the case of my cat’s play tube (seen above), I have an item which my cat has vigorously played inside every single day for the past year. All for the IKEA price of six dollars!
Think value, not cost.
(As an aside, my Montblanc pens and pencil also meet a high value threshold, although not at the level of my cat’s tube!)