Man you guys are crackin me up! Women who have RC flyers for husbands should be happy. Were not out spending our extra time at the local gin mills getting into serious trouble. Were just overgrown kids whos toys cost a little more.
Seriously Steve your approach with the used equipment is the same one I take and I have really fine top notch stuff that I wouldn't have been able to afford new. I have bought planes from great guys locally and on RCOnline and RCUniverse and I've never been burnt. Selling and upgrading is the cheapest route to success and takes less out of the cash stash. When the occasional plane comes up that I really want I have enough resourses stored up to get it. If I don;t like it I sell it and try again. No fuss no muss. The secret to this system is not to crash and I have been very successful with that in the past. Happy 4th of July and don't ever comprimise your family for the hobby. Mike