Why spend $40 when a $4 bucket already works?

My 3 episode rule is just me lying to myself for three hours straight.

Why does every "protection plan" in life seem to have a list of reasons not to pay? Phone insurance says water damage is not covered, the home warranty says the water heater was already old, the extended car plan says a compressor is a wear item. They sell you peace of mind and then hand you a list of rules once you actually need it. The whole thing works because most people never read the fine print until it is too late. You did not do anything dumb, the game is just set up that way.