Just for arguements sake I looked back at some of the items I have laying around with their original prices on them.

Bought 1n 1985 a Futaba 6 channel FM radio $450.00 equiv. today maybe $250.00

Bought in 1996 a Brison 2.4 gasser $499.00 - equiv. today maybe $250.00

Bought in 2002 a YS .63 $369.00 - today at CH $240.00

I joined a flying club in 1985 and it cost me $250.00 and my Son $100.00 ( Junior Member ) today I still belong to that club and pay $75.00 annual dues and my Son flies there when he visits free of charge.

I learned to fly in 1985 with a Thunder Tiger Skylark 40 ARF ( and it wasn't like the ARF's today ) My wife bought it for me and said she paid around $250.00

So it ain't all bad