When starting a project, it’s tempting to grab every shiny tool—MongoDB, Kafka, React, Terraform. But each one adds cost: learning, debugging, lock‑in, maintenance, and version headaches.
The cheapest tool?
Not using it. (Yet!)
Start Simple
Begin with the plainest possible solution. Before installing a database, ask:
- Can text files work?
- Can a folder of binaries work?
- Can an in‑memory map power the prototype?
Often, you can go surprisingly far without extra tools. And when you finally need one, you’ll choose it based on real needs—not guesses.
Why Delay?
- Projects change or get shelved.
- Your understanding of the domain improves.
- You may find SQLite or a tiny cloud DB is enough.
Better decisions come from real usage, not assumptions.
TL;DR
Delay adding tools and libraries as long as possible. Even if you think you’ll need them, wait. You’ll be amazed how far simple can take you.