Lemond1985: I was that way when I was playing drums professionally in my twenties and thirties. I didn't have a pot to piss in and I was really frugal with all my purchases, except those having to do with my drums. If a cymbal would chip, I would run right out and plunk down $100 for a brand new Zildjian without even a second thought.
With bicycling, I won't stay off the saddle for even a day because of a broken part, but I will never pay for better quality than I need.