Ever just make do with what you have until you can truly afford the upgrade? I ran my old setup into the ground for years because chasing fancy gear is a trap. Learn to fix and maintain your current stuff, it buys you time and saves cash. Focus on improving your skills with the tools you already own, that's what really matters. When you finally do spend, you'll know exactly what you need and why. It turns a limitation into a chance to get better.

That's a weird hill to die on for a friendship. Some people get this heated over actual politics, not potting soil.