Do not upgrade because a chart said so. List the shots you miss most: low light indoors, tighter portraits, wider landscapes. Match the lens to that gap.
Rent before you buy when possible. A weekend rental reveals whether you will carry the extra weight.
Prime lenses teach composition; zooms teach flexibility. Neither is morally superior. Pick the tool that matches how you actually shoot on Saturdays.
Budget for a protective filter and a decent strap in the same purchase. Accessories are part of the real price.
