Yep...Sewaholic is spot on...I paid $11.00 for two fat quarters the other day (from our LQS). I shop there at least once every couple of months, for small bits and notions mainly because she is such a sweet girl, but I can't afford the $20.00+ per metre when I need larger pieces. I wait for the larger stores Spotlight and Textile Traders to have sales, and I have a loyalty card with Spotlight which gives us 20% discount on presentation and Textile Traders (think it's only in Perth?) often do a two for the price of one deal.
I don't think you are cheap...it's just the way of the world!