If we can pump all the water out, we can save the ship from sinking.

One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all repaired their boats and left.

The cost in their time is a sunk cost.

When I get those feelings of not wanting to "lose money", I remind myself that the money is already lost (I spent it on said item!!!) and I keep in mind something called "sunk costs".

When we moved into a rental apartment a couple of years ago, werealized that ownership had been a burden, a time sink, and a money pit.