Most of my tools have been bought and paid for for a long time now. My diesel compression tool predates TDIs in North America, actually. I still spend about a grand every year on tools, but much of that is for the replacement of batteries for cordless tools, as well as the tools themselves, as they still seem to be a very much consumable item. A few specialty tools here and there, as the need arises, which it always does, because they (the manufacturers) are always changing things.
The normal run of the mill stuff, I have not had to buy for decades. Because I bought the good stuff from the onset of my career. So wrenches of all types (combo, flex head, double box, offset box, line, crowfoot, line-crowfoot, stubby, ratcheting), sockets (hex in three lengths, Allen in two lengths, ball-ended Allen in two lengths, Torx, Torx Plus, Tamper-proof Torx,
Tamper-proof Torx Plus 
), XZN in two lengths, swivels, then all the 1/2" drive impact stuff, as well as all the 3/8" impact, probably about 30 extensions of all types... it just goes on and on, LOL.
But, despite daily use, they hold up just fine. Funny to see the younger guys right out of school struggle with crap tools or not having the tool at all. I was there once, but not to that extent. It is really bad now. I fear for the younger generation. They cannot seem to grasp the fact that a cell phone in one hand is not helping get the job done.
