What is worth spending money on for stories in real life?

Would love to hear how other people handle this. I am especially curious about the version that works on a tired weekday, not just on an ideal Sunday.

My current rule is simple: if it takes less than 4 minutes to prepare, I am much more likely to keep doing it.

I had a disappointing first try, a surprisingly good second try, and then a third attempt that taught me humility. So, naturally, I now have opinions.