I was 9 hours into the game when I learned that the sturdy log you buy like 15 minutes in is actually useful and not just a joke item. Who the hell checks windows in RPGM games?
Also, apparently the shovel is also useful...if you buy it after already clearing out the path so the game doesn't force you into thrashing it. That one is pretty damn rude of the game, actually. (apparently the broken version still works, my bad)