Forgive me Fireboy, but surely attaining your FI qualification is paying for work (as you put it) with the associated training costs and in the same vein as buying a TR? Granted the FI a considerable bit cheaper. However, with respect to paying to work, every pilot who hasn't been sponsored in the UK (that figure must now be getting close to getting counted on a small abacus) has effectively paid to gain employment.
Don't really understand your logic but I do agree with you that you go with whatever route suits your character, financial circumstances, family commitments, etc.
Glad you picked an option that suited you and you appear to be enjoying it.