I saved for nearly three years for my first good machine. Any 5.00 bill that came into my possession went in the box in my sock drawer
I thought I'd never make it (about 2K) but I amused myself, and kept the incentive to keep saving by going to a big machine store every 3-4 months and sewing on various models. ...if you do this take your own fabric and sew how YOU sew, not with their stiff stuff that any machine will make good stitches on. By the time you are ready to OWN your machine, you will know just which one fits your needs.
Best wishes!!