I really can't add more to this other than I agree, especially on the cat toys. They obviously only make cat toys for weak kittens. My cats utterly destroy any of the soft plushies or feather-based toys within an hour.
Empty boxes, strings, balled up sheets of paper, waving pens and the like in their face, etc all make for better and cheaper toys.
But what gets me is the cost of kitty litter ... clumping or not. Between 4 cats and 3 boxes, I go through roughly 80lbs of litter a month (4 - 20lbs tubs) .. anywhere from $25-$40 a month (depending on sales and coupons).
Does that stuff even degrade or does it sit for eternity in the plastic bags in the dump? UGH! I wish I could toilet train my cats! LOL