You are not that far off the mark.
If you setup your car to handle your Uber transactions and your fridge sells excess energy during off peak hours, in theory, yes, they end up paying for themselves - especially if they interact with a restaurant delivery bot or movie theater application.
In other words, they will eventually be hands-off, autonomous, value-exchanging enitities within the IOT.
BTW, I am JaiChai. Delighted to make your acquaintance.
Namaste,
JaiChai
RE: What is IOTA? | The cryptocurrency for machines