I try to build my stash at garage sales, thrift stores such as Goodwill, and auctions. I only buy at the fabric at the fabric store if I want it for a specific quilt. Still, I spend about $100 or more a month on threads, fabric or gadgets while I'm there on retreat or making a trip there between retreats.
A few weeks ago I was in my favorite LQS and happened to drop in on their buyer. She was complaining because she hated raising prices on items but THEIR prices were skyrocketing too! It's not the fabric stores but rather the manufactures, the distributors, the price of raw goods, etc. making the prices go up. The fabric stores are just desperately trying not to go under. It's their misfortune that they're the ones we see so they have to take the heat from all of us.