As long as you have fun that is all that matters. Don't be so harsh on yourself and play what you find is fun for you to play. Just play for your own enjoyment.
I have a 15 watt Peavy, it is solid state. Having tons of effects at your disposal is fun that much is for sure. Can easily get carried away.
I agree that clothing is important, I don't shop for kids clothes ever since nobody currently in my immediate family is younger than 23. My dad gets some of his stuff at Costco/Sams. He spends a good deal of time there to buy everything, doesn't shop for clothes online. Really I don't know anyone who buys clothes online. Outlet stores around here have good deals, especially when Florida residents get no sales tax (certain time of the year). That is when people buy up shit like crazy.
Tax amnesty? Fuck - that would be cool. I'll bet it is a big sale time. I wonder if any other state legislatures are taking notes.
Around here, all the outlet stores are crap. The only notable manufacturer/importer we have that is clothes oriented is Burlington. The rest are all automotive industry related, except Corning or Ely Lilly. Too bad Ely Lilly doesn't have an outlet store.
I grew up playing guitar, aspiring to be like some of the guys my dad knew. He worked in a music store most of his life and eventually started up his own business. He had an amazing set of contacts, people who had either been involved with or actually were legends in the fifties and sixties. I had more inspiration than anyone should ever have. Friends my age and I, all kept pace improving our music knowledge and skills together, but at a certain point about the time I got out of high school, I never improved past that level. Woodshedding no longer makes a difference, except to re-learn some dexterous movements that get rusty. As you know rust never rests and when I don't play, I lose dexterity quickly.
Like you, though, I play for my own entertainment and when I'm not down on myself, I have plenty of fun just making noise. I do have a variety of effects to call upon for even more noise. Generally, I collect odd things, but I never kept guitar effects pedals. One time, when I moved I left on the curb a big box of Electro-Harmonix stuff, some working and some not, including a working Wah-Wah pedal, like Jimi Hendrix used and one that needed repair. I had room for all my instruments, but not all the accessories. Fuck me! I didn't leave any tools behind, either, but I had to leave lots of stuff I regret losing.