Looking to better understand what to disenchant

I'm enjoying the game a lot, but like with every ARPG in the last 20 years pretty much, I am struggling a bit to wrap my head around currency value and gear prioritization.

Basically, what gear should I be disenchanting? What should I be vendoring? Does it really matter?

Well, I generally break down anything at the workbench that has slots or quality on weapons (especially weapons but armor as well).

If it's just random magic/rare items, I disenchant them. Usually only picking up small items for that (helm/boots/potion/ring/ammy etc). Ring/Ammy is also worth decent cash to sell if you are low on that (and you can use that cash to buy items from the shop with a low level character that has slots on it or quality.

That is pretty much it for me as far as disenchanting and it's only worth it as a one stop back at town unloading. I mainly focus on the rares. I don't sell items so unless I am going to use a rare myself (and I do have a char of every class), I'll just disenchant it.

I will also keep any magic/rare items that might be worth actually improving. I might get a magic item with +2 melee skills only on it, and that is worth using an augmentation orb to see what the second stat it gets is, if that is good, then i'll use a regal etc. Generally won't use an exalt unless it's AMAZING as 99.9% of the time you can just buy a better one with an exalt anyway.

AFter all that if my item is super yum, THEN i'll add sockets and quality to it.

Generally don't bother when leveling up a char though, only late game.