I know what you are saying, but buying cheap or used would have helped me a ton. I have put the best new stuff I could buy in my car, and 8 years later I am still 'almost there'.
Some day...

1969 Dart GTS 340
1969 Super Bee X9 N-96
1969 Coronet R/T X9 N-96
2015 Dodge Dart GT
2019 Ram 2500 Big Horn.
Looking for the original block for my Bee. The last 4 are 7449