That's one way to look at it, but I have a quality air compressor that is 30+ years old (replaced cylinders 4 years ago), an air impact that I've owned for over 20 years and it was used when I bought it, and sockets and wrenches that I've had for more than 20 years. I bought a lot of my "expensive" tools used and spent very little on them. The annualized cost on my air impact is about $1 a year and declining.
You are spot on Vikki. When I was buulding a house, I bought tools I saw the experienced contractors using. And I don't mean the day workers hanging in front of the home center. I mean framers and craftsman who did this for a living. Milwaukee red handle tools, Bostich nailers, and Emglo air stuff that I bought are still with me today. I have 80 tooth Freud carbide miter blades that can halve a cat's wisker. I paid dearly, even mail order, but I paid only once. Quality tools can last a lifetime when cared for properly. And they usually have repair support behind them instead of discarding and replacing at additional expense. I wired an entire new house using a Milwaukee 3/8" drill with augers where electricians would use a 1/2" 8 amp drill. My brother's 3/8 drill couldn't bore the first hole when he came to help out. It sat there in the wood buzzing and smoking.
You regret the price of quality tools the day you buy. You regret the price of junk every time you try to use the tool. Eventually, if you have an interest in this stuff, you'll end up owning the quality tools. That is when purchase of cheap tools first delays your ownership of what you wanted to start with. A used trades person level tool is a much better bargain than a new import piece. I now collect used stuff on eBay when I can find it instead of import stuff.
