TiminMintHill

Read down or do a (Ctrl-F) to find "sleazyrider" and his comments. They are right on to my feeling as well, with respect to understanding the alignment of the saw, knowing your teeth blades are sharp and are the right type for what you're cutting.
Do I use my guards...nope, haven't since I bought the saw. I probably should use more care as well all do for those "quick cuts" when we get in a hurry...but I've been lucky. That being said, my saw blades are top quality, they don't jam on me, and I have different ones for different materials...not just some combo-blade fits all.
I think there's been some great advances and publication of commercial sleds, push sticks and hold downs, as well as several well done 'home-built' variants.

Seeing this article is a reminder that I need to consider myself lucky...so far, and to put together a set of improved methods based on so much that has been written and developed.

I read somewhere once, as pertains to wearing helmets or not on a motorcycle..."there are two types of motorcyclists...those who have gone down, and those who will". The best cyclist can fall victim to a stupid mistake by someone else, or something that occurs suddenly in front of them.
I wore my helmet by choice, make yours when it comes to good sense around the saw, and realize you can't control every single thing about that cut.

Well...didn't have time to play with the creation of custom avatar in my own image...but, this little bunny always makes my wife and I smile seeing it on a dogwood tree outside the kitchen window.

If I've had good use out of a tool, and I 'think' it can be fixed, I've typically gone the following route.

First, if I need that tool to do something...I'll decide whether I need features in a newer or better tool available, and if I can afford buying a new tool vs borrowing till old one can be repaired.

I am not likely to take a tool anywhere to be fixed, but will do work myself. Couple examples,

Craftsman Auto-Scroller Jig Saw (purchased in 1975). I bought this when I was 16 and was first power tool I bought. Began making terrible noises, traced to bad gear on main drive. No replacement parts available. No choice but to buy a nice Bosch Jig Saw. Over next couple months, searched web and found someone with one in rough shape for $15 in Atlanta off C(*^list...I had friend in Atlanta pick it up and waited 3 months to get it. Was able to cob the part I needed and got my old saw running like new. (much better shape overall than the one bought on c#@@list). I still like using this old Craftsman for alot of quick, less precise work.

Fein Multimaster Single Speed: I've had my single speed Fein for about 15 yrs, and finally wore out the bearing in the head during a project. Great opportunity to get a new variable speed tool, and fixed the old one for $30 for new bearing. Will probably give the old one to a relative as a gift or sell.

18V Dewalt Driver/Drill: I've had this saw for about 10 years, and it's been a great drill. I thought I burned it out when I was drilling into some brick, and really working it hard. It finally wouldn't start turning, even with no load. I took it apart, cleaned the brushes on the motor, and put it back together...worked like a charm. A little more hassle on cordless motors to do this, they don't provide the ease of access for the brushes like they do on alot of AC driven devices. But saved me probably $300 for replacement in kind.

Old Poulan Pro Chain Saw: Saw needed alot of parts, including new clutch, drum, starting drum(with string). Also, it didn't have a chain brake. I bought a needed larger saw, and then ordered parts to rebuild old saw including a chain brake kit, and now have a smaller/lighter saw when not needing the larger one.

In general, my feeling is that we've become a 'throw-away' society, and that's wrong. We should extend every opportunity to repair a good working device and not just chuck it out of convenience. If the device is so wore out that fixing is more than cost of new...different story. But I suspect for many tool issues, it's something simple that a little inspection and digging can resolve.
It's too easy these days to fix almost anything for even someone not that comfortable with elec/mech devices. Searches on the web can yield a ton of info on such things as issues with tools and home appliances.

I think it gets down to what you want to make or work on in your shop. Looking back on my purchases, I waited too long to get a table saw, which I find indispensable for any kind of sheet or wide board cutting, and for truing up edges/widths of boards. I like my benchtop planer, but managed without for a long time. I wasn't starting with rough lumber on projects either, or doing alot of work demanding true thicknesses. My vote: Table-saw, followed by sliding compound miter saw, drill press, thickness planer. Now, all that being said, my current top list would be my lathe and then my bandsaw!