I bought my own first machine when I was 18. It was a Kenmore and I paid $100 for it, used it hard for 10 years including making my wedding dress (a case study in beginner sewing errors!), then I got $100 trade-in to buy a Pfaff. I wasn't crazy about the Pfaff and traded it for my Bernina 1130 nearly 30 yrs ago. The Bernina is staying with me!