When I'm having a bad day I go look at the sewing machine listings on the Seattle area Craigslist. Because I feel so much better about myself and my life after jeering at those lunatics for a while.
It is a trend here though. Any sewing machine in any condition must be worth at least $50. The minimum price at the local thrift store is $24.99, $29.99 if it is a Singer. And they never seem stay in the store long enough to be half off. This has generally saved me from myself. Though I did pick up an Elna Plana Automatic just before Christmas, because I obviously am totally insane.