OMG - I can't count the THOUSANDS of dollars i have spent on what I thought was a good idea over the last 25 years - even after i did my own research. After a while, I get instinctive about stuff coming my way and "just pass".
Some stuff has REALLY worked out for the best. I gotta say that going filmless (DTG), LED exposure, having a tri-lock that finally works, and using frames that require no tape has increased my production by about 5000% (I'm stretching this number a little) . I'll pat myself on the back for that one but the decision was well thought out by an entire crew before I wrote the check (and it was a BIG check).
Lots of other stuff didn't work out as well........