I started flying in 1987, getting a PPL(A) in Sept 1998. I started flying helicopters a year later, getting my PPL(H) in June 2000. Over 5 years I've averaged 100 hours per year, at a hire cost of about £65/hr for f/w, £140/hr for rotary; more for dual, and I've done a lot of that. I've also flown in the US and Russia - though the cheaper costs there were probably offset by the cost of getting there. On top of that I average about an hour's drive each way to my home airfields (I have 3 or 4!), if you count the cost of petrol etc, and I've spent a load on maps, headsets, courses, etc etc etc. What's it cost me? I don't even want to think about it. When I run out of money I'll have to stop. Or maybe fly a few hours a year like sensible people, or fly microlights which are cheap.
This piece of string is not only any length, it can be instantly and infinitely adjusted.