The beautiful thing with pinball hobby is that you can buy used machines and resell them for virtually the same cost. If I drop $1k on new skis, they are worth $100 3 years later. A new Xbox or Playstation $500 and virtually $0 a few years later. So if you have discretionary income, you can leave in the bank collecting a paltry interest, or buy a machine (or a few). A few years later if you sell for the same cost, a small loss, or even a profit, you have enjoyed the machines much more than the interest you would have earned, and maybe made a few bucks. I always try to repair / upgrade the machine, so the next owner is getting the machine in better condition than I received it. Now this same model does not necessarily work for new machines or used machines from a dealer.