Very true, W8. Always a trade-off you can make, whatever your stage of life.
The one I love these days is 'how can you afford an aeroplane?' coming from the guy who drives the latest and brightest SUV! It's true my periodic maintenance costs are (probably) higher, but in terms of sunk capital and fuel, I'm no worse off than him.
I have a very effective way of dealing with the maintenance, too. Do whatever maintenance you're allowed yourself, find a good LAME, and have a big folder into which you place all the aircraft financial records. Do not look in this folder.