SS,
I readily concede that there is no 'right' path to take, and that everyone must make, and accept the consequences of, their own decisions. There are risks to every action (and inaction).
It's good to hear that everything has worked out well for you; as indeed it has for me. I am not, I hope, an unduly pessimistic person, and in my own case I consider the cost of flying to be money very well spent.
My point is simply that an informed decision is better than an uninformed one.
MLS