How did U get into this expensive hobby?


So I was up last night listening to my system and thought to myself, when am I going to be 100% satisfy with my set up. Just for once I like to listen without thinking well maybe if I can add this or remove that I can improve on this or that area. A mist all that I thought how did I ever got into this hobby any way? Well, the nightmare began for me when I was working in my college university's periodical section. We had over 3000+ magazines on file. The first stereo magz I ever picked up was the AUDIO annual price list which was about 300 or so pages of all major audio mfg. and models..also known as the audio bible; what ever happened to Audio magazine anyway? I remembered being so intrigued by so many brands that I have never heard of before and how the workmanship and industrial design seemed so much far superior than the average Kenwood and Pioneer back then (no offense to Kenwood and Pioneer owners). This was 10 years ago and I started by scraping every pennies I had to purchase my first NAD integrated amp. Although 10 years have passed, I am still scraping for money to own something new every now and then, but this time instead of pennies, it's dimes a nickels since my tasted have upgrade with my salery. It'd be interesting to hear how some of you fellow audigoners got started in this hobby. Upon adding to this thread, you'll find that you'll get a little grin on your face after spilling your guts out on how you began on this deep pocket journey and how far you have come. Happy Holidays guys and gals.
3chihuahuas
Craig, there is no doubt about it. Look at all the threads. If you went through them all I would bet at a minimum 90% are related to gear. Not a bad thing. I am less here for the music than input on the gear that makes the music come alive. It wouldn't take too much effort to confirm this casual observation. Does it mean that people here are gearheads? I think not. This forum is as you say more related to buying selling and exchanging information about gear and how it affects the music we listen to.
In regards to Leaf's comments about buying gears with his ears without ever reading into a magazine. I believe most us end up buying with our ears. Reading or researching using what ever media that's easily available to us at the time, allows us to narrow number of gears to a manageable process. It would be almost impossible, thought I wouldn't mind if I had the time and the resources, to go audition all dealers around my area. Infact, this web forum is just an extention of the magazine media. By reading the magazine and knowing what to ask in this forum makes the buying process a more educated one. Using a magazine media alone to make a purchasing descision on is pure foolishness. I don't trust Stereophile or magazines like it simply because they have something at stake even though they say their editorial dept. operates independently from their advertising dept; who really knows right? This is why I come to this forum hoping to get a second/third/fourth unbias feedbacks. But this forum only works if the user knows specifically what to ask. Although I was introduced to this hobby by a magazine, it doesn't make me less of a music lover. Infact, I lover of music so much that my music room is the only room in the house my wife cannot and will never decorate. Just so you don't think I am just B.S.'ing I've spent 10 years of short life playing music through my youth and into my early 20's. I only stop because I couldn't make enough money at it to live comfortably. I will enventually get back into it when I retire.
Thanks for clearing that up. I competely agree, this is a great site to hear real people talking honestly about there experiences. Love the site, and reading these threads.