I am also retired and my only income is SS so I try to save a few $$ every month to buy batting and thread and some fabric to finish projects. I do like to buy quality fabric but now I buy only what I am going to use not to add to my stash. I am now glad that I have several thousand dollars worth of quality fabric that I bought when I was working.
But like anything else, we each do our best to get the best deal and we like the LQS because they are doing the best to stay in business.