Brenda, I too have enjoyed reading the responses. I started buying fabrics 30 years ago when I was on the craft sale route. I made kids quilted vests nad appliqued sweatshirts, machine applique table toppers, etc. When I quit craft saling I started to make quilts from leftovers. Pretty soon I was adding fabrics to stretch the leftovers and then planning whole quilts and adding fabrics to stretch the leftovers and then planning whole .....well you get my drift LOL.
I have learned if there's a fabric I really love I buy 3-4 yards of it! It most likely won't come my way again. I catch sales and like to buy the basics (tonals and basic colors) on the sale rack. At sale time take samples of the fabrics you love to get the right matches.
I set myself a yearly budget and when I reach that amount I stop large purchases and only get what I need for the rest of the year.