RE: RC investment in the someday stash.
I know ARFs are way cheaper than kits because for every kit I buy twice as much of everything as I'll need, but always run out of at least two items in the build process.
I think what you are referring to is "stuff", and it is not limited to R/C. It applies to fishing, hunting, gardening, etc.
We buy for what we wish we could use and not for what we need.