Best approach to buying tools?

I'm not knocking anyone's tool choice but I have broke more snapon tools than I have any other brand I have ever used and I've used all of them at some time or another. My favorite is SK but they are hard to find these days and I refuse to give what they want for snapon. That being said, I stick with the craftsman because they are a good tool at a decent price and easy to exchange if they break. The only tools I go really cheap on are wrenches one inch on up because I'm not strong enough to break wrenches that big and don't use them often. When it comes to pliers, visegrips or valve spring compressors you better buy good ones or you will regret it. No matter who makes it, any tool used incorrectly will break eventually and that includes using the incorrect tool for the job. Using any type ratchet wrench from any manufacturer to break bolts loose, especially big bolts, shouldn't shock anyone when they break. As good as they are, I just can't afford snapon or many of the other big name tools and craftsman have with few exceptions done fine for me.