I have so little money that I can’t spend much if any on anything other than necessities.
Despite that, every time I get a gift certificate for birthday, Father’s day etc. for Amazon, I spend it on Mountain House meals. They are really tasty and about as good a way as any to invest your money. I have almost a years supply now and with all the fruit trees, pecan trees, grapes and other things I can hold out for about as long as I need to.
I have gotten a lot of my gear from yard sales, Good Will stores, pawn shops, ect...I’m a cheap person & have to make do on a very fixed income as well.