My photography is just a form of hunting for me. I have been a hunter for 68 years but when I turned 66 I had a lot of retired time so I took up hunting with a camera. I especially enjoy the spring migration of waterfowl so I go out in the spring in my solo canoe, put out decoys, and photograph ducks and geese as they come in. I also canoe into different osprey and eagle nests and wait for the birds to return with food for their young. Running the shore line of many lakes early in the morning gives many opportunities to photograph shorebirds and warblers.
I keep my best photographs on my computer and get a number enlarged on glass or metal, or on stretched canvas. These are put on the wall of my den and remind me of all the great mornings I have had out enjoying nature.
When hunting with a camera I do not have to be concerned with seasons, bag limits, or protected species.
I also have nothing to throw out from freezer burn when we clean the freezer each spring. I still hunt in the fall
but hunting the rest of the year with my camera helps keeping my 81 year body young. I just wish I would have all these photographs when I was teaching science classes.

I see G.A.S. as an internal problem that I largely ignore but I see your point.

Since I am long past the kit lens stage, my purchases tend to be well researched and for tangible reasons. This translates into bartering sessions with the CFO because they also tend to rather expensive.

It's all good but I need justification to spend money on my hobby and usually it needs to involve a visible improvement in what I do. Everyone has their reasons I imagine.