Hi Tina---the cost of quilting can be a deterrent. It can be a very expensive hobby!! But, as you get more into it, you will accumulate tools and supplies and then the cost diminishes some. I am a good online shopper--find fabric on sale, order from shops where you can get free shipping, etc. Connecting Threads is an awesome-check them out.
The cost to have a quilt quilted can be costly. To machine stipple at a long arm quilter is about .018 cents/per square inch here. If you are having a quilt custom quilted, it costs even more. Have you thought about doing it yourself? If you do not already have a walking foot, it would be a good investment for you---would pay for itself with your first quilt. You can start off by quilting in the ditch, doing grid quilting, etc. When you are feeling more comfortable with your quilting, you may want to branch out and buy a foot for your machine that will allow you to do free motion quilting. There are MANY people on this board who do all their own quilting with a regular sewing machine--and turn out awesome quilts!!!
If quilting is a hobby you have a passion for-and it sounds like it may be since you are already planning your next 2 quilts-then you will find a way to make it work for you.