I understand where you are coming from. I retired last May and I purchased a Juki F600 last fall. I struggled with the decision to spend a $1,000! I had the $$ to pay cash ... I could have spent a lot more because I had the cash to do. I had worked for years and was getting ready to retire, and wanted to start quilting for charity. My old machine, which I seldom used because I didn't enjoy using it, just wasn't going to make quilting enjoyable.
We women just think we have to justify everything. I use my Juki at least 4-5 days a week (4-5 hours a day). Now, 6 months later, I'm looking at mid and long arm machines! Ha! I just started a thread here the other day trying to justify buying another machine. Ha!
Just go for it. Sounds like you will use it a lot.