yeah guys.
you all knew this was an expensive hobby to get into so suck it up.
Just because things can cost 30% more now than a couple years ago is no excuse.
I've actually found that once you have the basics (Tank, Rock, Sand, Pumps) this is a pretty inexpensive hobby to maintain.
The new technologies and methodologies are always tempting and can be fun but are also easy to avoid when you've seen so many come and go.
I generally buy salt, food and the odd supplement like selcon but other than that, it's a pretty cheap hobby to be in.
It is what you make it in that sense.