Indeed, you get what you pay for... and that comes with the corollary "People VALUE things about as much as they have to PAY for them." Which is why there is much wisdom out there suggesting that a person should never give away their greatest talent/skill for free.
Of course, you're quite right that the whole idea of "value" is a slippery slope. Or it certainly can be. Those who don't spend their money on ego-consumables are often seen as "dull" and "not knowing how to have fun." But is that really true? Nope, it's merely a matter of perception.
=^..^=
In business, it is the competitive advantage that should never be outsourced. But at the same time, before one can get paid for a skill, people have to want to demand that skill and be willing to pay for it.
Most people don't consider themselves dull, no matter how much or little they do. ;D