It paid off for me.

I bought my kid books, and gave him my copies from childhood and including all he has bought as an adult, we now have what could be a genuine library. It is in boxes in storage...when he was living elsewhere he would send me multiple 80 pound boxes of literature when he moved.

Someday, I will have most of the western canon at my fingertips. And Gods willing, have another person who has read them at hand to discuss it. :)