I love my bread machine and never use mixes. Just too expensive. I get recipes online and also check your local library for books of bread machine recipes. I found a good one called "Bread Machine Magic". I tried a few recipes, copied the ones I liked, and next time I feel like experimenting, the book will be there at the library and I can check it out again.
And like others mentioned, I only use my machine to make the dough. Then I shape it and put it in a pan. Adds a minimal amount of work and makes a much better loaf, in my opinion.
I also mix up a lot of rolls and breakfast breads the day before I want them, shape them and put them in the fridge. Let rise 20-30 min in a warm oven the next morning (or longer at room temp.) and then bake as usual. Fresh cinnamon rolls for breakfast but I don't have to get up 2 hours early to do it, just get up the first time the alarm goes off instead of snoozing it several times.